Get Your Business Ready for an OSHA Inspection
Regulatory inspections are a part of nearly every business operation. Inspections €“ particularly from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) €“ are designed to ensure that health and safety guidelines are being followed. In turn, this helps to protect workers from potential sources of injury. By reducing accidents and injuries in the workplace, business owners can drive down their workers ' compensation claims, among many other benefits. To get your business ready for an inspection, read on.
Be courteous
Business owners should designate employees for specific roles in an inspection scenario, particularly:
- An employee who will great the inspector
- An employee who will accompany the inspector throughout the inspection process
- An employee or employees who are tasked with gathering any required documentation, such as safety policies, training records, injury reports, workers compensation claim reports, and hazard mitigation records
- A union representative if the business operates with union workers
- Backup employees to fill these primary roles as needed
Prepare to be surprised
Surprise inspections can sneak up on any business. To prepare, make sure that:
- Records are kept in a safe location €“ including any that are required under OSHA guidelines
- Records are easily accessible
- Records are complete and thorough
Take care when answering questions
During the course of the inspection, the inspector may ask you some questions. Although this is not an official interview, it 's a good idea to treat it as such. When he or she asks you questions, remember to:
- Tell the truth
- Make sure you understand the question
- Answer the question and nothing else
- Answer based on your knowledge only. Avoid guessing or speculating
Is your business covered? Let us help you find the right
business insurance solutions that meet your needs and budget. Talk to the team at Kneller Agency today to get started.
