OSHA regulations are strict for a reason — they’re supposed to make you, your employees, and your entire workplace safer. From small businesses to large corporations, everyone involved benefits when federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations are followed to the letter.
If you’re overwhelmed at the prospect of an inspection, don’t be. You can take easy steps today to reduce risk, control hazards, and ensure continued compliance with all OSHA standards. Resolve to undertake the four actions listed below, and you’ll never have to worry about being in compliance with OSHA regulations.
1. Conduct a Worksite Analysis
A complete site analysis is the first step in assessing the safety of your workplace. It may help to request a free consultation visit with OSHA at this stage to walk through all of the workplace procedures. You should also do a walk-through of each employee’s tasks with him or her, keeping watch for any procedures that don’t line up with OSHA regulations.
Review the past few years of accident reports and injuries and see if any patterns are developing.
If a worksite analysis turns up evidence of noncompliance, you must correct it right away. Make repairs or alter procedures, then document your changes.
2. Maintain Equipment
Another key way to stay in compliance with OSHA regulations is by thoroughly maintaining all of your equipment. Regularly inspect the equipment, and have a check system in place for operators to alert management when machinery is not operating correctly.3. Schedule Employee Training
One of the most important areas of OSHA compliance is employee safety training. OSHA regulations are meant to ensure that every employee works in a safe environment, and in many cases, the employees themselves dictate the level of safety.
It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure employees are adequately trained for their jobs and aware of all risks and hazards.
Besides training for the job itself, employees need to be trained on how to properly utilize protective equipment. They should also be trained on how to respond to workplace injuries and emergencies.
4. Encourage Open Communication
Lastly, one of the steps you must take to ensure the safety of everyone in your company is by encouraging an open, communicative environment. Safety hazards aren’t a low priority. They should be identified and corrected right away.
If you work at creating a workplace environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts on any risks and hazards they face, you are much more likely to stay in compliance, because you can correct issues immediately.
Shield-Safety is your top resource for complying with OSHA regulations, from providing employee training to writing safety procedures for your company. Call today for more information.