The Office of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) helps companies reduce accidents that occur on the job, including injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Because OSHA is responsible for the health and safety of employees and the regulation of occupational safety standards, the OSHA compliance team frequently pays surprise visits to determine whether organizations are operating within mandated guidelines. Partnering with ESCC Inc. to prepare for an OSHA visit and knowing what to do if you receive a surprise visit will keep your company in compliance year-round.

Here is how ESCC Inc. can help your company prepare:

• We will perform routine facility safety inspections and document potential safety violations which can help prepare you for an OSHA visit.
• We will provide documented corrective actions for the noted potential safety violations. We can help correct the potential safety violations utilizing your facilities maintenance department and/or company representative(s). ESCC Inc. can also help provide outside resources.
• Review your facility to ensure you have your OSHA posters posted in a highly visible place.
• Review worksite injury and illness records, chemical inventories, equipment inspection records, training records and written programs to ensure they are up to date and personnel files, if needed.
• Help designate company representative(s) who will be ready to accommodate the compliance officer’s needs and accompany them during the inspection.

Should your company receive an OSHA surprise inspection, do the following:

• If a compliance officer comes to visit, do not refuse the inspection. Although it is within your rights, the refusal will be reported to the Area Director, which may result in further investigation.
• Listen carefully to the opening conference provided by the compliance officer to find out why they are inspecting your facility. The conference should explain the purpose, scope, standards and if the visit was triggered from an employee complaint, a copy of the complaint should be provided. The complaint will not have the employee’s name.
• Anticipate questions that may be asked and make sure your management team is on the same page. Questions may cover topics such as safety orientation for employees, job trainings, audits, how often safety meetings are conducted, information on safety rules, emergency policies and procedures, and employee feedback on the working environment.
• Should your company receive a Notice of Violation (NOV) from an OSHA inspection, ESCC Inc. can help review the findings and help you prepare corrective actions necessary to resolve the NOV’s and potentially reduce monetary fines and penalties.

Contact ESSC Inc. today to schedule your complimentary EHS facility review.