What to do when OSHA visits

The nature of an OSHA visit puts you/us on the defensive, which isn’t necessary. You are well trained and work very hard to be the safest company in our industry. These guidelines on how to handle an inspector’s visit gives you the playbook.

If questions are presented, answer truthfully but do not volunteer information outside the scope of the inspection. Keep answers brief and to the point. You have the right to deny answering any question. You have the right to request a member of Management be present while you answer questions.

When OSHA arrives on your jobsite, direct the inspector to the Competent Person on site, then immediately contact Rob Geurink, 715-370-0903. Notify the Compliance Officer that it is company policy that they are escorted while on site. By law, OSHA can wait a reasonable amount of time for the representative to arrive on site.

In the event I cannot make it there, knowing these steps are important.

When OSHA is at your job site, you can ask the Compliance Officer for the following, document by taking pictures with your phone:

1. First and Last Name

2. Identification Badge

3. Business Card

Questions for the OSHA Compliance Officer

1. Why/How has this site been chosen for an inspection?

2. What area is the Compliance Officer looking to inspect?

3. How long does the Compliance Officer plan on being on site today?

4. Can I make a copy of the OSHA 7 Form if this inspection is the result of a complaint?

OSHA Inspection

OSHA Inspections should be limited to the scope of work and area that the Compliance Officer stated they were there to inspect. The company Safety Representative should accompany the Compliance Officer the entire time on site. The OSHA Inspection will include: the Opening Conference, Records Review, Facility Walk-through, and the Closing Conference.

If the Compliance Officer asks for records, written programs, sign-in sheets or any other documentation, let them know that all documentation requests must go through the office.

Walk Around

The company’s designated safety representative must accompany the inspector at all times. The Compliance Officer is subject to the same site policies as any other visitor. This may include a safety briefing, the use of any required personal protective equipment, and any other site specific requirements. If a certain level of PPE is required in certain areas on site, the Compliance Officer will have had training in the specific hazard and in use of the specific required PPE or remain outside of that work zone.

Take the Compliance Officer to the area in question by the most direct route. Avoid detours that may expand the inspection.

Be prepared to take notes, recordings, photos, and measurements of the same things the Compliance Officer does.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the Compliance Officer, request information about what they are looking for in particular, and what they are looking at exactly. They may or may not answer but it gives us more information about any potential violations they are considering.

OSHA will generally not provide the company with copies of its records, pictures, etc. Because of this limitation, it is important to capture the same data whenever possible.

Data Collection:

• If they take measurements, take the same measurements.

• If they take pictures, take pictures from the same vantage point and other appropriate vantage points.

• If they take samples, take the same samples (may need to call a third party for sample collection).