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OSHA inspections target lost work-time.
It plans to focus on industries that have a significant number of lost time hours in comparison to hours worked.

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QUICK LINKS -

OSHA.gov
DOT.gov
MNDOT
Ntnl' Safety Council
MN Safety Council

 

 


OSHA Inspections

What triggers an OSHA Inspection?
What should we do if OSHA shows up at our organization?
What can we expect during an Inspection?


SafeAssure consultants have had a chance to walk with OSHA during many of these inspections and feel it is important that each client understand the inspection process.
Here are some answers.


What Triggers an OSHA Inspection?

• Imminent Danger,
• Fatal Accidents & Catastrophes,
• Employee Complaints,
• Programmed Inspections,
• Follow-Up Inspections.

 

What should we do if OSHA shows up at our organization?

Notify all department heads and affected personnel of inspection -
It is important to make sure all the affected employees understand that during an inspection OSHA will "consult with a reasonable number of employees concerning safety and health matters in the workplace" (OSHA).
*note: When an investigator arrives at your organization, make sure that he/she provides designated personnel with proper credentials.

 

What can we expect during an Inspection?

OSHA has five different inspection priorities including imminent danger, fatal accidents and catastrophes, employee complaints, programmed inspections, and follow-up inspections. Each of these inspections is performed in a similar manner.

The inspection process is as follows:
The inspection process has an
Opening Conference where the investigator will provide affected personnel "the purpose of the investigation and its intended scope of coverage" (www.OSHA.gov). This meeting will determine who will escort the inspector during the walk-around.

The investigator will evaluate workplace Postings and Recordkeeping Requirements. Workplace posters, injury and illness records (i.e. OSHA 300 Logs), and written workplace safety and health programs will be reviewed. For example, Material Safety Data Sheets & Right-To-Know training documents are considered written safety and health documents and will be reviewed.

The investigator will determine the route and extent of the Facility Inspection. During the inspection the OSHA investigator will "observe safety and health conditions and practices" (OSHA). He/she will discuss any unsafe or unhealthy working condition that is found with the employer. The inspector will give corrective methods and in cases where immediate correction may be possible. This doesn't mean they won't cite an organization for the violation though!

To conclude the inspection the investigator will conduct a Closing Conference with the employer and authorized personnel to discuss all findings and observations made during the walkthrough. The violations will be interpreted and the basis for assessing penalties will be explained. Time allowed to correct all violations (abatement time) will be discussed. The employer is also informed about contesting violations and extending abatement times.

An official report will be given to the organization describing citations, penalties and abatement times to resolve the deficiency. OSHA recently announced that all planned inspections would target the
most hazardous jobs throughout all industries

SafeAssure hopes this gives each client a better idea of how the infamous OSHA Inspection works. We will continue to bring each of you the necessary changes to ensure that you are kept safe and brought into compliance.
Work safely!!!

Quotes reference to: www.doli.state.mn.us/oshinsp.html

 

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