The State of Idaho’s Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program (OSHCon) is a vital program that Boise State operates and helps small businesses save millions of dollars each year by preventing workplace injuries and illnesses.
OSHCon, located at the Yanke Family Research Park, has been quietly serving Idaho’s business community for 42 years. Each year, this small, and dedicated team assists hundreds of employers with workplace safety and health concerns, and identifies real-time hazards at workplaces and on job sites. They also offer tailored recommendations—all with the goal of creating safety, healthier work environments.
The team provides expert guidance—at no cost.
Boise State plays a crucial role in delivering this service, reinforcing its commitment to community outreach, advancing Idaho businesses and the world.
Designed to support businesses with 250 or fewer employees, OSHCon’s services are available by request only. The impact is significant: over $7.8 million plus in estimated annual cost savings, benefiting many small businesses, including family-owned operations that may not have the resources to hire dedicated safety personnel.
These savings are based on findings from a 2024 national study conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which assessed the economic impact of state consultation programs nationwide.
For Idaho, the study compiled data on workplace hazards identified annually, using the average workers’ compensation cost per injury or illness to estimate financial savings. Notably, the prevention of workplace fatalities was not factored into these calculations, meaning the program’s true impact may be even greater. For more details, the full OSHA white paper PDF is available here.
OSHCon: A Trusted Resource for Idaho Businesses
Established separately following the creation of the OSH Act in 1970, OSHCon serves as a critical resource for employers. Unlike OSHA’s enforcement arm, OSHCon focuses on education, helping businesses understand and implement workplace safety regulations. The program is federally funded and receives in-kind support from Boise State University and the College of Health Sciences. All services are private, confidential, and free of charge. OSHCon’s services include program reviews, on-site hazard identification and abatement recommendations, and industrial hygiene sampling.
In North Idaho, General Contractor Ginno Construction has leveraged OSHCon’s expertise to enhance workplace safety. Greg Rodriguez, the company’s safety and environmental officer, routinely invites program consultants to active construction sites, which range from commercial projects to high-end residential builds. With 10 to 15 workers on-site at any given time, Rodriguez is mindful of the risks such as fall hazards, electrical hazards, to improper ladder use, and excavations dangers.
OSHCon’s consultants provide valuable insights at various stages of construction, helping companies like Ginno Construction maintain a safer work environment while ensuring compliance with best practices in occupational safety.
“I’ve worked with them for quite a while,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know it all and I don’t see it all. They help me see what I may be missing, and they back me up on what I’m trying to help educate workers on regarding their safety.
“To be able to walk through and say, ‘What do you think of this?’ and get another perspective is very helpful. The OSHCon group is always very positive and great to work with. That’s one of the reasons that I bring them back regularly. They’re very helpful.”
Recognizing Companies’ Dedication to Safe Workplaces
Some companies have partnered with the program for years, while others seek assistance periodically. A select group has achieved the prestigious Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) status, awarded for sustained excellence in workplace safety and health.
Kimberli Reynolds, the Program Manager for Idaho OSHCon noted that earning SHARP recognition can serve as a valuable selling point for businesses, demonstrating a strong commitment to safety. Additionally, OSHA views SHARP-certified companies favorably for their proactive approach to workplace health and safety.
Idaho currently has six SHARP-certified businesses: Perpetua Resources, International Isotopes, Nucor Rebar Fabrication, LLC, Scoular Bancroft, Scoular Michaud, and Western Aircraft.
Western Aircraft, one of Idaho’s long-standing SHARP recipients, operates near the Boise Airport, employing several hundred workers. The company specializes in maintaining, inspecting, and modifying private and corporate aircraft, consistently prioritizing workplace safety as part of its operations.
“We get to celebrate with this company a great deal,” Reynolds said. “They achieved SHARP designation in 2006 and have led with exemplary safety.”
Jeff Wallin is the company’s Production Scheduler and Environmental Health and Safety Manager. The program, he said, has been very beneficial from a variety of standpoints.
“As I came into this position, it gave me an outline on what our mandatory responsibilities are,” he said. “They’ve been a great help to us. Tips, pointers … an extra set of eyes that shows and tells and explains.
“Just by knowing that they’re on our side, and… it helps our overall safety program. It helps us integrate employees to actively participate in our program. They help do that, just by their presence.”
Education is Prevention
From doctors’ offices and veterinary clinics to sawmills and construction sites, OSHCon consultants provide expert guidance tailored to a wide range of industries. For Reynolds and her team, workplace safety is about protecting workers, minimizing employer downtime, and enhancing both productivity and morale for employees and management alike.
It’s also about education.
“Most companies want to do the right thing,” Reynolds said. “Many simply don’t know where to start or how to improve. You can correct a hazard in the moment, but if underlying issues aren’t addressed, it can reoccur. We provide guidance on how to mitigate these risks, empowering both employers and employees to recognize and prevent future hazards.”
“OSCHon is a small, but mighty team,” Reynolds added.
The program is constantly on the move, striving to expand its reach and enhance workplace safety across Idaho. As part of this effort, the program is piloting a new initiative to offer digital and virtual reality safety training—at no cost—to small businesses statewide. While OSHCon currently maintains a vast lending library of DVDs, the team recognizes the need to modernize its approach to meet the evolving demands of employers.
The need for OSHCon’s services is trending upward as Idaho grows and more small businesses are calling the state home. Because many of the companies that OSHCon works with are too small to have their own safety officers, Reynolds and the team become the de facto line of defense.
“We step in as their safety resource,” Reynolds said. “Businesses can invite us back each year for ongoing support, and they’re always welcome to reach out anytime with questions.”