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Frequently Asked Questions
1.
What written plans do I need?
2. How do I know if I am going to be targeted
for an OSHA inspection?
3. What types of safety training do I need to
provide for my employees?
4. What kinds of records and documents do I need
to maintain to be OSHA compliant?
5. How do I set up a Safety Committee?
6. How do I know what Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) I need?
7. What will various accidents and incidents
cost my company?
8. Are OSHA fines set in stone?
9. What are the most common types of OSHA
citations for my SIC code?
10. How often do OSHA regulations change?
11. With the Ergonomics Standard repealed, why should
I worry about this area?
 
1. What
written plans
do I need?
Actual written plans may vary by type of company and equipment on
site. The most commonly required plans by OSHA are:
-
Hazard Communication Plan
-
Emergency Evacuation/Fire Safety Plan
-
Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Plan
In addition to the written plans, OSHA requires that a facility
specific hazard assessment for personal protective equipment (PPE)
be performed and documented and lockout/tagout procedures be
developed and documented.
2. How do I know if I am going to be targeted
for an OSHA inspection?
Three general indicators of an impending inspection are:
-
High Lost Workdays to Injury and Illness (LWDII) as recorded on
an OSHA Injury and Illness Log for your company (Form 300)
-
High LWDII rates as compared to other companies in your SIC
(Standard Industry Code) Classification
-
OSHA has informed you that you are on a target list.
3. What types of safety
training
do I need to provide for my employees?
This depends on the type of company or industry. Common training
needs include:
-
Hazard Communication
-
Emergency Action and Fire Prevention
-
Personal Protective Equipment
-
Respiratory Protection
-
Bloodborne Pathogens
-
Lockout/Tagout
4. What kinds of records and documents do I need
to maintain to be OSHA compliant?
OSHA requires:
-
OSHA Injury and Illness Log (Form 300)
-
Written Safety Plans
-
Material Safety Data Sheets
-
Industrial Hygiene Test Results
-
Training Records
5. How do I set up a Safety Committee?
Safety committees can effectively aide in eliminating hazards and
reducing accidents associated with work processes. Safety
Committees are usually set up through training on committee
operations, accident investigations, and injury/illness prevention.
Our
Safety
Committee Set-Up Guide provides the materials needed to set up
and maintain your facility's workplace safety committee.
Topics include: Establishing a Safety Committee, Initial Training of
Committee Members, Documentation, Hazard Identification in the
Workplace, and Accident Investigation.
6. How do I know what Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) I need?
Requirements for PPE are usually determined through an OSHA required
hazard assessment. The hazard assessment for PPE identifies physical
and environmental hazards and assigns the use of specific equipment
(i.e., gloves, goggles, etc.) as preventative measures.
7. What will various accidents and incidents
cost my company?
Accidents and incidents are expensive and disruptive, resulting in
both direct and indirect costs to your company. Costs include:
treatment, workers' compensation payments, higher workers'
compensation ratings (mod rates), loss of productivity, employee
replacement costs (temporary or new recruit), overtime costs, lower
employee morale, potential law suits and OSHA citations.
8. Are OSHA fines set in stone?
No. OSHA fines can be reduced based on past history of citations and
evidence of a documented safety program.
9. What are the most common types of OSHA
citations for my SIC code?
For the past several years, Hazard Communication CFR 1910.1200 has
been most frequently cited by OSHA. OSHA lists the most common
citations according to SIC Code. Go to "Inspection Data" on the OSHA
website. There, you can search by SIC code, size of company, and
state and federal jurisdiction.
10. How often do OSHA regulations change?
Not that often. However, regulations are so broad that OSHA issues
directives on interpretations of the standards they enforce, and
tends to focus on different areas of a standard in which increased
incidents or accidents have occurred.
11. With the Ergonomics Standard repealed, why should
I worry about this area?
Two reasons:
1. OSHA will enforce ergonomic hazards under the General Duty
provision and,
2. It makes good business sense, due to the high cost of injuries
related to ergonomic factors.
Frequently Asked
Questions |
