OSHA UNANNOUNCED INSPECTION

OSHA Unannounced Inspection

OSHA Unannounced Inspection

In the given scenario of an unannounced visit through an OSHA officer, the following procedure would be followed:

Sequential Action Plan

Initial Response to Unannounced OSHA Visit

You should not allow immediate entry into the facility. You should refer OSHA to Plant Manager.

Decision on Allowing Consent Inspection

An OSHA compliance officer is required to present his or her credentials to the employer, (Eweb 2007) explain the nature, purpose, and scope of the inspection, and specify the records and documents desired to be reviewed, before commencing an OSHA inspection.

Ask whether the OSHA officer has a subpoena or warrant and read the warrant carefully for extent of inspection required.

If OSHA has no subpoena or warrant, ask "Why has OSHA chosen this company for an inspection?"

Choose whether to call for a warrant. Do the benefits potentially flowing from refusal of entry outweigh the risk of a possibly more rigorous inspection if a warrant is obtained? Decision to be made through President or Senior Manager in charge.

If entry is allowed, a representative of the Company would accompany the OSHA officer during the entire visit.

Maintaining Control of an Inspection

Check the OSHA officer's credentials and record all identifying data in a cordial, businesslike manner

Use the opening conference to make a good impression with the OSHA officer. (Balkin 2001)

Stay with the OSHA inspector every minute.

Volunteer nothing. Consider having two Company representatives on the inspection tour, one taking notes.

Have maintenance person or maintenance team on hand to make repairs or fix anything the OSHA officer notes.

If the OSHA inspector asks to talk privately with an employee, the Occupational Safety & Health Act says he can do so. The Company may require a warrant for interviews on premises. In any event, the Company should make employees available on premises only at a convenient time and place. ...