OSHA Visits.

Hardly a day goes by that I do not get an email advertising a seminar on what to do if OSHA makes a visit.  Our suggestion is to offer them coffee.  Realistically, according to OSHA, if an employer has fewer than 50 workers and a DART rate of less than 6, a visit from OSHA is not likely.  On the other hand, if a construction company is conducting unsafe work outside, an OSHA visit is nearly a certainty.

If OSHA drops by, contact your Safety Manager immediately.  If the Safety Manager is at hand, the OSHA representatives are usually willing to wait a short time for him/her to show up.  Do not, under any circumstances, delay the OSHA representative.  You are allowed to have your top safety person and an “employee representative” along on the inspection, but you are not allowed to delay the proceedings.

Every OSHA inspector conducts their visits differently, but most of the time, they will need the same information.  This covers the process of many inspections.  The important thing to remember is that OSHA’s mission is to protect the worker.  If the workers are safe and the employer is complying with the law, there is absolutely nothing of concern.

Be sure the form 300 reporting injuries/illnesses and all training records are current and available.  The 300 report should be current to at least the prior day.  Training records should be fully current unless a class is being conducted.  The law requires training a) on initial assignment and b) if the assignment, work conditions or regulations change; or if new hazards are introduced.  There is no wiggle room here, but the law is quite simple to understand and to meet.

If the facility is a factory or if work is being conducted, the inspector will probably want to walk around the place.  During the inspection, the OSHA representative has the right to speak privately with employees.  As we said above: If the workers are safe and the employer is complying with the law, there is absolutely nothing of concern.

Have a safe work environment, keep training and records up to date, obey the law – OSHA’s visit will be simple, painless and free of citations.  If the inspector does give suggestions on items which need corrected, do them immediately.

Since 1971, OSHA’s mission has been to protect the worker.  To fulfill this mission, OSHA has created standards which must be met – it’s the law.  Protect workers and obey the law.

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