EH&S Insider Blog

What is OSHA: Topic 4 - What do the OSHA Standards say?  A. Types of Standards Now, let’s talk briefly about the OSHA standards. OSHA standards fall into four categories: General Industry, Construction, Maritime, and Agriculture.

Near Miss Reporting - the Achilles Heel of the Safety Program  A near miss is a narrowly-avoided accident. Though it didn't result in injury or property damage, it may have if circumstances had been slightly different. According to OSHA, these close calls should be reported and investigated. Unfortunately, employees (and managers) often avoid reporting for a variety of reasons. They may feel pressured by their co-workers to keep working or they're afraid they'll be blamed for the close call if they mention it to their superiors. A difficult, complicated reporting process will also discourage people from reporting near misses.

What Violations Can Lead to Imprisonment? Section 17 discusses penalties for OSHA violations and imprisonment is mentioned in a few subsections. For example: Willful violations resulting in death: An employer who knowingly violates standards can receive a fine and/or up to six months in jail. For a second conviction, jail time goes up to one year and/or a fine. 

Businesses may be surprised to see an OSHA inspector at their door, as inspections are generally unannounced, but there's no reason to be surprised about what will happen next. There are three stages to an OSHA inspection. This is what you should expect: Opening Conference

What is OSHA: Topic 3 - What responsibilities does your employer have under OSHA?  A. Provide a Workplace Free from Recognized Hazards and Comply with OSHA Standards Establishing a safe and healthful workplace requires every employer to make safety and health a priority. In general, OSHA requires employers to: