OSHA

What if OSHA is here right now?

First off, if OSHA is sitting in your lobby or just showed up at the job site, you may want to start with this PowerPoint First. It takes a moment to load but it’s fairly short.OSHA asked to see my safety manual…
If you do not have a safety manual for your company, go here and make one. It may be too late for the OSHA inspector in front of you right now, but it may qualify as an abatement in their eyes.What about 300 logs?
Check out this 2 minute video and that can get you started. Copies of the logs they mention are to your right on this page, or can be found in our forms library. They are in MS Excel format too.

OSHA asked me about loss runs. Where do I get those?

You get loss runs from your work comp carrier. Sometimes they will not deliver them to you unless you ask. Make sure you have them BEFORE OSHA comes by. They are also looking to make sure any claims you have are reported on your 300 log FYI. If you are exempt, then you should probably not need them. Make sure your exemption info is handy for the inspector. If you like, contact us and we can help you obtain a copy.

What will happen during my inspection?

#1 When OSHA should shows up and ask to speak to whomever is in charge, you may ask them for ID, that’s OK. DO NOT ask them for a warrant! They will get one in about an hour and you can kiss the next few days in your life goodbye.#2 Offer the inspector coffee. This is actual specific advice from the Assistant Area Director Kevin Yarborough. He said it helps.#3 The OSHA inspector has pictures and video by the time they are talking with you or your employees. Do not even THINK about saying “…oh Bob wasn’t wearing his safety harness only that one time…” You will lose every time.#4 Ask the right questions during an inspection. First, ask the officer to describe the purpose of the visit and the scope of the inspection. Answer the OSHA officer’s questions truthfully, but don’t offer information beyond the scope of the questions.#5 Take notes, providing a record of the officer’s route, their comments, and photos taken during the inspection. Take your own photos. Almost every cell phone has a camera now so there is NO EXCUSE not to!#6 Provide any records requested. Obtain them yourself without the officer going into the records storage area. Remain calm and polite during the inspection.#7 Request a closing conference. Ask for a summary of the inspection. Convey your intent to fix any possible violation without admitting to any violationPlease note: The OSHA inspector should not try to sell you anything. Those guys are imposters selling stuff – not OSHA!

How to get an OSHA inspection without the OSHA fines

First off, if OSHA is sitting in your lobby or just showed up at the job site, you may want to start with this PowerPoint First. It takes a moment to load but it’s fairly I

have spoken to DOZENS of you who have said “wouldn’t it be great if OSHA would tell me what I am doing wrong BEFORE they start issuing citations”. The short answer is this:

They DO HAVE just such a special program for employers and yes…it’s free!

The program is set up through USF’s College of Public Health. USF receives a grant directly from OSHA to conduct these inspections on their behalf. Here is what Jim Ulseth sent me to share with all of you:

Florida’s safety and health consultation program is dedicated to serving small employers and has 12 consultants throughout the state. The consultants are OSHA certified and trained in identifying hazardous work areas, which can be particularly helpful to employers in high hazard industries such as construction, manufacturing, landscaping and healthcare. On-site consultations are confidential and free of charge; all an employer needs to do is request the voluntary service.

Charlene Sitterly, USF SafetyFlorida’s program manager, says workplace safety has numerous benefits. “Companies that undergo safety consultation report higher productivity, reduced workers’ compensation costs, safer workplaces and higher morale. A safe workplace is a win-.”

Here are five reasons to request a safety and health consultation in 2012 from USF SafetyFlorida:

It’s free.
It’s confidential. The program’s consultative services include an on-site visit; review of written safety plans; identification of potential hazards related to processes, work equipment and practices; recommendations on how to improve hazardous areas, if found; and education and training assistance.
It provides peace of mind. Business owners will feel good knowing their proactive measures will protect their workers and provide a safer working environment when they correct hazardous areas that could have led to OSHA citations.
Your insurance provider will thank you. Safer workplaces can result in fewer workers’ compensation claims–a goal business owners and insurance providers can agree upon.

To request a free, confidential safety and health consultation as you begin the new year, contact USF SafetyFlorida at 1-866-273-1105 or visit www.safetyflorida.usf.edu.