Everyone’s heard of OSHA and everybody knows the price they have to pay for non-compliance. In spite of this, many of us remain unprepared for a surprise inspection. If you haven’t been visited by OSHA yet, or not recently at least, then you have to watch out.
Here are a few do’s and don’ts when undergoing a surprise OSHA inspection:
1. Firstly, never make the OSHA inspectors wait. This is probably the worst thing you can do as it shows that you are not ready. Nothing that you can do in the last minute will make any difference. So, attend to your inspectors immediately.
2. Always be open and honest with your inspectors. Hiding things away won’t help, as you’ll eventually be caught.
3. Don’t take your employees along with you on an inspection. Your inspector wants to see how things work in your company. Many inspectors use cameras and videotapes during an inspection.
4. Prepare yourself to answer any type of question. Make sure you have all the documents in place, especially those that outline your safety plans.
5. Always encourage your employees to talk to the inspectors. If not, then the inspectors are going to talk to them anyway. Many times, inspectors slip employees their business cards so that they can call them.
6. Never lie to your inspectors. This can anger them.
7. Don’t limit your thinking to standards. Think about all the hazards at your workplace. The inspectors will always check for hazards; not for standard violations.
8. Keep all your training documents in place. Your inspectors will want to look at them. If you have any Hispanic employees working for you, always keep documentation showing that they understood the training properly.
9. Designate a responsible person to meet with the inspectors. Make sure the person is well prepared. The person doesn’t have to be a safety manager.
10. Check out the Field Operations Manual for Inspectors. Although it is for inspectors, you can download it for free online. It can help you prepare for an inspection.
Here are a few do’s and don’ts when undergoing a surprise OSHA inspection:
1. Firstly, never make the OSHA inspectors wait. This is probably the worst thing you can do as it shows that you are not ready. Nothing that you can do in the last minute will make any difference. So, attend to your inspectors immediately.
2. Always be open and honest with your inspectors. Hiding things away won’t help, as you’ll eventually be caught.
3. Don’t take your employees along with you on an inspection. Your inspector wants to see how things work in your company. Many inspectors use cameras and videotapes during an inspection.
4. Prepare yourself to answer any type of question. Make sure you have all the documents in place, especially those that outline your safety plans.
5. Always encourage your employees to talk to the inspectors. If not, then the inspectors are going to talk to them anyway. Many times, inspectors slip employees their business cards so that they can call them.
6. Never lie to your inspectors. This can anger them.
7. Don’t limit your thinking to standards. Think about all the hazards at your workplace. The inspectors will always check for hazards; not for standard violations.
8. Keep all your training documents in place. Your inspectors will want to look at them. If you have any Hispanic employees working for you, always keep documentation showing that they understood the training properly.
9. Designate a responsible person to meet with the inspectors. Make sure the person is well prepared. The person doesn’t have to be a safety manager.
10. Check out the Field Operations Manual for Inspectors. Although it is for inspectors, you can download it for free online. It can help you prepare for an inspection.
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