By recognizing employers who operate exemplary health and safety management programs at specific worksites and thereby prevent job-related injuries and illnesses, both immediate and long-term, OSHA promotes effective safety and health program management and draws attention to model programs for others to follow. Recognition and exemption programs provide incentive and support to smaller, high-hazard employers who agree to work with their employees to develop, implement, and continuously improve the effectiveness of their workplace safety and health management systems. The exemption component of the program provides that employers who meet all of the criteria and on-going requirements outlined below are removed from OSHA's Programmed Inspections Schedule for a period of not less than one year.

The Federal recognition and exemption program is known as the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). Programs operating in States with approved State Plans may be known by other names, but the term SHARP is used here to refer to any recognition and exemption program run by an OSHA Consultation Project, regardless of whether it is under State or Federal jurisdiction.

In Connecticut, this program applies to private sector establishments only.