Introduction to OSHA—Inspection Priorities
Introduction to OSHA – Inspection Priorities
Obviously, not all 5 million workplaces covered by OSHA can be inspected immediately. The worst situations need attention first. Therefore, OSHA has established a system of inspection priorities.
Imminent Danger
Imminent danger situations are given top priority. An imminent danger is any condition where there is reasonable certainty that a danger exists that can be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the danger can be eliminated through normal enforcement procedures.
Employees should inform the supervisor or employer immediately if they detect or even suspect an imminent danger situation in the workplace. If the employer takes no action to eliminate the danger, an employee or the authorized employee representative may notify the nearest OSHA office and request an inspection.
Catastrophes and Fatal Accidents
Second priority is given to investigation of fatalities and accidents resulting in hospitalization of three or more employees.
Such catastrophes must be reported to OSHA by the employer with eight(8) hours. OSHA investigates to determine the cause of such accidents, whether existing OSHA standards were violated, and whether additional standards are necessary to help avoid a recurrence of similar accidents.States with their own occupational safety and health programs may use somewhat different standards. (Be sure to check the state requirements.)
Employee Complaints
Third priority is given to formal employee complaints of alleged violations of standards or of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions.
The Act gives each employee the right to request an OSHA inspection when the employee feels he or she is in imminent danger from a hazard or when he or she feels that there is a violation of an OSHA standard that threatens physical harm. OSHA will maintain confidentiality if requested, will inform the employee of any action it takes regarding the complaint, and, if requested, will hold an informal review of any decision not to inspect.
Programmed Inspections
Programmed inspections are aimed at specific high hazard industries, occupations, health substances or other industries identified in OSHA’s current inspection procedures.
Industries are selected for inspection on the basis of such factors as the injury and illness incidence rates, previous citation history, employee exposure to toxic substances or random selection.
Normally, comprehensive safety inspections in manufacturing will be conducted in those establishments with lost work-day injury and illness (LWDI) rates at or above a certain Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) national rate for the manufacturing sector. OSHA selects the target industries and the injury rate criteria.
States with their own occupational safety and health programs may use somewhat differentsystems to identify industries for inspection. (Be sure to check your state.)
Follow-up Inspections
A follow-up inspection determines if previously cited violations have been corrected. If an employer has failed to abate a violation, the compliance officer informs the employer that he/she is subject to “Failure to abate alleged violations,” and proposed additional daily penalties which such failure to abate or violation continues.
Records Review (OSHA 300)
A records review is an examination of the employer’s injury and illness records to determine whether there will be comprehensive inspection of the workplace. During the records review the examiner determines if the LWDI rate is below the BLS rate, in which case an inspection in not normally conducted. If the LWDI is above the BLS rate, an inspection will be conducted.
Training Tips
Review the employee handout. Discuss the procedure for reporting imminent danger situations or other unsafe conditions in the workplace.
For more information see 29 CFR 1910 Subpart P-Hand and Portable Powered Tools and other Hand-Held Equipment.
Introduction to OSHA – Inspection PrioritiesHandout 1
Obviously, not all 5 million workplaces covered by OSHA can be inspected immediately. The worst situations need attention first. Therefore, OSHA has established a system of inspection priorities.
Imminent danger situations are given top priority. Second priority is given to investigation of fatalities and accidents resulting in hospitalization of three or more employees. Third priority is given to formal employee complaints of alleged violations of standards or of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions. OSHA also has programmed inspections, aimed at specific high hazard industries, occupations, health substances or other industries identified in OSHA’s current inspection procedures.
OSHA is responsible for establishing rules, regulations and practices that keep us all safe at work. Under these rules, employees have certain rights and responsibilities.
Responsibilities
- Read the OSHA poster at the jobsite.
- Follow all employer safety and health rules and regulations, and wear or use the prescribed personal protective equipment (PPE) while engaged in work.
- Report hazardous conditions to your supervisor.
- Report any job-related injury or illness to your employer and seek treatment promptly.
Rights under Section 11(c)
- You have a right to seek safety and health on the job without fear of punishment.
- If you are exercising these or other OSHA rights, your employer is not allowed to discriminate against you in any way, such as through firing, demotion, threatening or harassing you.
- To review copies of appropriate OSHA standards, rules, regulations and requirements.
- Request information from your employer on safety and health hazards in the area, on precautions that may be taken and on procedures to be followed.
- Receive adequate training and information on workplace safety and health hazards.
- Request the OSHA area director to conduct an inspection if you believe hazardous conditions or violations of standards exist in your workplace.
- Have your name withheld from your employer, upon request to OSHA, if you file a written and signed complaint.
- Have your authorized employee representative accompany the OSHA compliance officer during the inspection tour.
Introduction to OSHA—Inspection Priorities Sign–Off Sheet
The employees of ______Company Name______, have taken part in a training session on Introduction to OSHA—Inspection Priorities. The session covered:
- OSHA’s inspection priorities.
- Employee responsibilities.
- Employee rights under Section 11 ©.
Date of Training: / Facility:
Employee Signature / PRINT NAME
______
Supervisor’s Signature
Introduction to OSHA — Imminent Danger Handout 2
An imminent workplace danger is a hazard that puts you at immediate risk of death or serious physical harm, such as an unstable trench or exposed electrical wires.
It may also be a health hazard such as toxic substances or dangerous fumes, dust or gases that could cause death or irreversible physical harm, shorten life or reduce physical or mental performance.
Employee Responsibility
If you or a co-worker are in imminent danger of death or serious injury or illness:
- Notify your supervisor immediately and request that the situation be remedied;
- Request personal protective equipment (PPE) for protection until the hazard is eliminated.
If your employer does not fix the hazard, you may contact OSHA or your state occupational and safety authority and request that they contact the employer. If you request, they will not reveal your name to the employer.
Employer Responsibility
Your employer must provide a safe workplace. Your employer must promptly remove employees from exposure to the hazards, and take steps to remove or control the hazard.
Protection
It is illegal for your employee to punish you for reporting a safety or health hazard. OSHA protects you from being discriminated against, fired, demoted or otherwise penalized for any of the following:
- Complaining to your employer about a hazard;
- Requesting an OSHA inspection;
- Participating in union safety and health activities; or
- Otherwise exercising your rights under the OSH Act.
OSHA can protect you if you are discharged or disciplined for refusing to do work that would expose you to imminent danger, provided that you have notified your supervisor of the hazard, the hazard has not been corrected and there is not enough time for you to seek relief through OSHA’a standard complaint process.
Introduction to OSHA—Imminent Danger Sign–Off Sheet
The employees of ______Company Name______, have taken part in a training session on Introduction to OSHA—Inspection Priorities. The session covered:
- Types of hazards found in your workplace.
- The employer’s responsibility to rememdy imminent danger.
- How employees should report unsafe working conditions.
- How OSHA protects workers who report imminent danger situations..
Date of Training: / Facility:
Employee Signature / PRINT NAME
______
Supervisor’s Signature