Does Your Workplace Meet OSHA Safety Guidelines?

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration isn’t all that intimidating… unless they’re standing in the middle of your workplace. That usually means they’re investigating your company for one reason or another. If agency representatives visit your location, they’re probably following up on a potential violation because you failed to meet OSHA guidelines and standards. 

You Can’t Avoid OSHA

OSHA is a branch of the Department Of Labor that sets federal workplace safety standards. They have jurisdiction over private-sector employers, and they work to keep workers safe.

• Pass laws and regulations to promote workplace safety and employer compliance. 
• Train and advise workers and employers on maintaining a safe workplace. 
• Investigate potential workplace safety violations.
• Enforce federal safety laws and regulations by citing and assessing penalties against non-compliant companies. 

Why Would OSHA Show Up at Your Business? 

One of OSHA’s primary duties is to investigate and enforce non-compliance with safety laws and regulations. So if they show up at your workplace, they are probably there for one of these reasons. 

• Immediate Danger: Someone reported that you have a potentially dangerous workplace situation
• Serious Injuries/Illnesses: In compliance with agency requirements, you reported a severe workplace injury, illness, or fatality involving your property or operations. 
• Complaint Filed by a Worker: OSHA responds when an employee files a complaint about a dangerous work environment or conditions. 
• Referrals: Other agencies and informed sources refer OSHA investigators when they receive notice of a hazardous situation or a severe or fatal injury
• Hazardous Work Environments: Investigators sometimes visit businesses that regularly conduct dangerous operations. 
• Follow-up: When an investigator cites a company for violation of a safety guideline, they may follow up to ensure compliance. 

How Can You Avoid an OSHA Visit?

The answer is simple yet complicated. Learn how to meet OSHA safety guidelines. These guidelines can be complicated because OSHA has so many rules and regulations. However, their website provides assistance to help you stay on their good side. 

• A Law & Regulations page search feature lets you look for relevant standards by industry.
• The L&R page also lists links to safety topics, directives, frequently cited standards, and other resources to assist your training and compliance efforts. 
• Conduct your own compliance audit. Make sure you know, understand, and comply with current and pending OSHA regulations. 
• Pay attention to your employees. If you’re open to their safety complaints, they may come to you instead of calling OSHA. 

Meet OSHA Safety Guidelines in Connecticut

To help you meet OSHA safety guidelines, the agency has area offices in Bridgeport and Hartford. These locations have jurisdiction over private-sector employers in the state. They also oversee federal government employees who work for the Post office and on military bases. 

Conn-OSHA is a branch of the Connecticut Department of Labor. They have jurisdiction over state and local government workers and employers only. Conn-OSHA has adopted all OSHA standards, and they conduct similar operations. They also offer (no-penalty) consultation services for both private and public-sector businesses. 

Meet OSHA Safety Guidelines in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, OSHA has area offices in Andover, Braintree, and Springfield. In addition, the agency oversees private sector employers and employees in the state. 

There is no OSHA-approved state plan. State and local government employees receive protection under the Massachusetts Labor and Industry laws. The state’s Department of Labor Standards enforces safety compliance for county and state government workers. 

Contact Health Consultants Group

To learn more about meeting OSHA safety guidelines and how safety compliance affects your insurance premiums, give us a call at (800) 367-2482 or visit our contact page.