Nucor Harris Rebar in Idaho fabricates and sells custom bent reinforcing steel to comply with plans and specifications provided by their construction contractors. The facility discovered the Idaho Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publications and other advertisements for the program. The company's number one core value is 'we work safe.' The On-Site Consultation Program offered a way for the company to improve its workplace safety and demonstrate to customers and employees alike the seriousness of its commitment to staying safe daily.

Nucor Harris Rebar in Idaho had its initial Consultation visit in August of 2009.  During this visit, Idaho Consultation consultants identified hazards such as the need for more machine guarding and fall protection systems. The company eliminated the hazards by replacing and repairing existing machine guarding and fall protection and adding additional guarding and fall protection systems where needed. Training and education were provided to team members on recognition of machine guarding and fall hazards. Daily inspections of the guarding and fall protection systems were made a part of daily routine. In later years, the company added laser guarding and guarding by distance. Currently, the company is working on operating hands-free and has implemented many different no-touch tools. In addition, the older equipment is being phased out and replaced with new equipment designed to operate hands-free.

Nucor Harris Rebar in Idaho first received Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) status in 2012. The company has since achieved SHARP five more times with its latest recognition in April of 2023. SHARP acknowledges small and medium-sized businesses that have used OSHA On-Site Consultation Program services and operate exemplary workplace safety and health programs. Small businesses that achieve SHARP status receive a deferral from OSHA or the State Plan programmed inspections for the period that the SHARP designation is valid. Acceptance of a worksite into SHARP is an achievement that identifies the employer as a model for occupational safety and health among its business peers.

The impacts the company has experienced through participation in the SHARP program are numerous. They include financial gains to the bottom line, a significantly lower rate of recordable incidents, and a reputation with customers of being an asset to any project because of working safely. However, the largest impact has been the improvement to the team's morale. By participating in Consultation and SHARP, the company continues to demonstrate its commitment to safety to its employees and customers.

Companies interested in SHARP can contact their local OSHA On-Site Consultation program to discuss details and schedule an onsite safety and health evaluation. OSHA On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards and how to fix them, provide advice for compliance with OSHA standards, train and educate workers, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs. On-Site Consultation services are separate from OSHA enforcement efforts. To locate the OSHA On-Site Consultation program nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit www.osha.gov/consultation.