A visit from OSHA inspectors is hardly something most employers look forward to and for good reason.
If you’re seeing inspectors come to your business, it could be for a number of reasons, most of them not very positive. To expand on that, two former OSHA inspectors recently sat down for an interview with EHS Today magazine to discuss the trade and in doing so, review their 10 most asked questions from employers about inspections.
Right off the bat, the inspectors went over the matter of cause, describing the priorities OSHA follows when deciding whether an inspection is necessary. These priority areas include fears of “imminent danger,” as well as past or recent fatalities or catastrophic incidents. They can also include employee complaints or referrals from law enforcement — so, in short, usually nothing great.
The inspectors are clear to note you still have your typical rights in the event of an inspection. That means you can ask for a copy of the complaint made to the agency and if you wish, ask the agents to procure a search warrant before letting them onto the premises. The inspectors also recommend employers be mindful of the scope of the inspection and suggest ways in which an organization can limit that range.
The big take-away from the interview is that employers don’t have to roll over for an inspection — but at the same time, should act in good faith when dealing with OSHA regulators. You can beat an OSHA citation, they say, but really only if you can prove your organization had comprehensive policy in place to maintain compliance and that whatever transgression occurred was the result of employee misconduct. If you’re interested, you can read more about that here.
The advice in the article is solid. But it bears saying that, if you’re already at the point of inspection, there’s a good chance something has gone wrong that needs fixing. You can avoid that point altogether through a proactive approach to occupational safety that includes making use of the right gear and training a key part of your culture.
We can certainly help with that and have made it our mission to do so. Wilmington Safety Supply can work with your organization to make sure you have what you need to stop an inspection in its tracks.