As stated in my May Blog, there are many regulations an organization needs to implement and maintain in order to be in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and avoid fines and risks associated with not being compliant.
The first step and foundation for a company to be in compliance with OSHA standards is knowing exactly what the standards are. The next, and equally important step in ensuring compliance is achieving buy-in from staff through training, education, outreach and assistance. As stated earlier, the focus of concern in an office setting is different from the one in a construction or manufacturing facility. Having said that, I can’t stress enough the importance of informing all employees of any potential hazards, even considered minimal, through the Hazard Communication Standard. Such hazards as wet floors or cleaning chemicals must be clearly labeled in order to not only avoid potential accidents but to be in compliance with the Walking/Working Surfaces Standard. Other standards that apply to construction sites and office environments are the implementation of an Emergency Action Plan, Fire Safety and Exit Routes. It is vital that workers in offices, on construction sites or any other environment are educated. Periodic audits and drills are conducted to ensure understanding and compliance. The last standard OSHA upholds is the Medical and First Aid. Although office corporations may not be at risk to the same extent as construction sites, accidents and injuries that require medical attention and first aid supplies can still occur.
Section 11 (c) of the OSH Act affords protection to employees from discrimination or retaliation from their employer for exercising their right to report violations. OSHA conducts hundreds of inspections per year. Some of these inspections are based on information obtained from employees/whistle blowers. Any violations found during an inspection can result in fines, penalties and in some extreme cases, a complete shutdown of the site.
Implementing safety in the workplace and complying with OSHA standards prevents future penalties for employers and assures safe work environment for employees. A quality safety program centered around OSHA requirements creates a flawless system which will help avoid injury, potential Worker’s Compensation exposures and will ultimately save business owners money from future claims and insurance premiums. For more information on OSHA regulations and help in designing a comprehensive safety program please feel free to contact me.
About The ALS Group
Click here to request more information about The ALS Group or for help managing your insurance program.
