Is the summary of Work-Related injuries and illnesses (OSHA form 300A) posted during the months of February, March, and April?.Are signs concerning exit routes, room capacities, floor loading, biohazards, exposures to x-ray, microwave, or other harmful radiation or substances posted where appropriate?.Where employees may be exposed to toxic substances or harmful physical agents, has appropriate information concerning employee access to medical and exposure records and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) been posted or otherwise made readily available to affected employees?.Are emergency telephone numbers posted where they can be readily found in case of emergency?.Is the required OSHA Job Safety and Heath Protection Poster displayed in a prominent location where all employees are likely to see it?.According to the OSHA Small Business Handbook, in most cases, an inspection checklist can look like this: Employer Posting The structure usually includes a categorized list of things that require verification with a small box for checkmarks adjacent to the text. The contents of an OSHA inspection checklist may vary from industry to industry, the format, however, remains the same. In this case, all employers must take the utmost care to ensure the safety of their workers and their customers. In other words, avoid any surprises during the actual OSHA inspection, which can lead to several ramifications, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Using an OSHA inspection checklist helps create an organized and coordinated approach to self-assessment. How can using an OSHA inspection checklist help? The OSHA team can, at any time, arrive unannounced, enter without delay, question employees privately, maintain complete confidentiality, and determine who participates in an inspection. The arrival/opening conference, on-site inspection, and closing conference. What happens during an OSHA inspection?Īn OSHA inspection usually takes place in three parts. Similarly, industries such as construction and shipbuilding can create situations that present imminent danger which, without the appropriate safety equipment, would be life-threatening. On the other hand, OSHA routinely inspects industries that inherently require the use of dangerous chemicals and other hazardous materials such as oil refineries and tanneries. Unsatisfied employees are well within their rights to report the situation to OSHA, thereby prompting an investigation. The most common trigger is employee complaints. Several situations can trigger a response from OSHA and force an inspection. These inspections are thorough and, should an employer fail, can lead to severe fines or, in extreme cases, cease and desist orders. Moreover, OSHA may sometimes conduct an inspection either in response to a complaint or as a random check. Additionally, employers must provide the appropriate knowledge building exercises, training, and so on. Every workplace, be it office, warehouse, shop, factory, or construction worksite must identify the relevant standards, understand them, and then implement them. Why is an OSHA inspection necessary?Īn OSHA inspection is how the Administration ensures that employers stay in line with OSHA standards. OSHA then implemented a set of “standards” for every employer within its jurisdiction to follow and maintain. Thereby, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) took root under this act. To enforce better health and safety standards and practices in the workplace and protect the rights of employees, the US Department of Labour introduced the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970 (OSH Act). In this article, we discuss a wide range of OSHA inspection checklists and the variations between each. The idea is to use these lists to conduct a self-audit and assess your performance against OSHA standards beforehand to avoid surprises during the actual check. OSHA inspection checklists are the best way to prepare yourself, your company, and your employees for OSHA compliance.
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