If your business is subject to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections, it’s important to be prepared. Knowing what to expect and how to handle an OSHA inspection can help ensure that you’re in compliance with OSHA regulations and avoid any costly fines. Are you wondering what to do if OSHA knocks on your door? If so, you’re in luck. Experts at Business Insurance Center are here to share some tips on how to prepare a business for an OSHA inspection.
What is an OSHA Inspection?
First things first! What is OSHA? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency that monitors and enforces workplace safety laws. OSHA is a government entity and their Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) are tasked with inspecting any businesses that are subject to OSHA audits to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations.
Most OSHA audits consist of three parts: opening conference, walk-around, and closing conference. Citations by OSHA may follow, depending on what the OSHA inspector observed. Technically, employers have a right to request a warrant for an OSHA inspection, however, this may work against your business and give the CSHO a negative impression.
OSHA Audit Preparation Tips
No matter where in the United States you conduct business, you will likely have to deal with OSHA inspections. Many business owners have OSHA inspection checklists, but are still left wondering, what should I expect at an OSHA inspection? What are the 3 parts to an OSHA inspection? How do you survive an OSHA inspection? What is the most important step in the OSHA inspection process? If these questions are running through your head, take a deep breath…we’re here for you! Here’s tips on getting ready for an OSHA inspection and setting your business up for success!
- Designate a few main employees who will be the contacts for the inspection.
- Make sure that the designed audit employees are well-versed in the OSHA audit process.
- Train employees for an OSHA inspection and review requirements regularly.
- Keep your workplace safety documentation readily available and consistently updated.
- It’s vitally important to have evidence of a comprehensive Worker’s Comp policy.
- Formulate a plan for the day of the inspection, including aspects such as how employees will be notified of the audit, where the employee interviews will be conducted, and where the OSHA inspector will be working at your place of business.
- Prepare an OSHA inspection kit. This should include:
-A camera for video and photography recording
-Required PPE
-Labels or stamps to label necessary information as “confidential”
-Basic facility information (e.g., type of work performed, number of employees, names of management personnel, list of contact information)
-Contact information for the local OSHA office
-Testing equipment (check calibrations and expirations on equipment regularly)
OSHA Compliance Best Practices
While it’s impossible to know everything OSHA will inspect, these are a few key things you can do to make sure your business is ready. Now that you have these tips and expectations for an OSHA visit spelled out, you’re ahead of the game! A large part of being prepared for an OSHA audit is to have full-coverage Worker’s Comp insurance. If you need assistance in getting the best Worker’s Compensation insurance, contact Business Insurance Center today. Then sit back and relax, knowing that your business is fully prepared for your next OSHA inspection!
