Preparing for an OSHA Safety Inspection

OSHA inspections can arise at any time, and its crucial that youre prepared for it in order to avoid any negative consequences to your company. First, lets take a look at what can prompt an OSHA inspection:

• Workplace catastrophes and fatalities
• Employee complaints
• Referrals (can come from any corporation, including other government agencies)
• Programmed inspections
  • Could be based on emphasis programs, injury rates, or previous citations
• Random inspections
• Follow-up inspections

Since most inspections arent announced beforehand, its important to have a plan in place before an OSHA inspector comes knocking.Identify your Safety Manager and Back-up First, an employee should be identified as a safety manager who walks the OSHA representative around while they are conducting their inspection. A Plan B person should also be assigned in case the safety manager is out on the day of the inspection. Always ask to see the representatives identification to ensure that they are not an imposter before conducting the inspection. Get your Information Straight Before the inspection begins, you will be informed about the reasoning behind the inspection. The inspector will also ask for basic information about the facility, including the type of work performed, number of employees, names of those in charge, and contact information. Duration and Preparation The length of the inspection will vary depending on the focus and size of the facility. It could take anywhere from a day to multiple weeks. The inspector will likely ask for documents relevant to the inspection (e.g. injury and illness logs), and it is important to have these documents accurate and readily available at all times. Safety Guidelines for Footwear When it comes to protective footwear, general requirements state that the employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards.Saf-Gard is committed to providing your company with up-to-date safety shoes, ensuring that your employees are in compliance with all OSHA regulations. To learn more about OSHA regulations, just visit https://www.safgard.com/education/osha