As a senior risk control consultant with PMA Insurance in Tampa, Greg Crocetti says he and his clients have the same goal: No injuries. Fewer injuries and illnesses mean fewer claims and fewer losses, and ultimately lower workers' compensation premiums.

However, maintaining a safe workplace requires adherence to a complicated and complex mix of state and federal rules and regulations. To help his clients navigate the often-daunting federal environment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Crocetti regularly steers them to the University of South Florida's SafetyFlorida program, an on-site safety and health consultation service operated by the university's College of Public Health.

The program is Florida's official OSHA safety and health onsite consultation service for small businesses. Created by the OSHA Act of 1970, onsite consultation provides free and confidential advice to business owners throughout the U.S., giving priority to those in high-hazard industries such as construction, manufacturing and healthcare. OSHA cited 5,403 Florida businesses last year with violations, amounting to $5.5 million in fines. More than 75 percent of the violations were classified as serious. The agency wants those numbers to decline.