In 2019, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found at least 6,010 safety violations at U.S. businesses for improper fall protection. Every violation puts workers at a greater risk for fall-related injuries.
The scary thing is, that’s only one of the top 10 most common OSHA violations—it’s not a total. It’s possible that many more violations just went unnoticed.
So, how can you prevent OSHA violations and keep your employees safe?
Luckily, the OSHA inspection checklist can be a big help. Read on to learn about the checklist and how you can create a self-inspection process for your workplace.
What is an OSHA Inspection Check List?
OSHA inspection checklists help you keep track of the safety compliance at your facility. Instead of a master checklist, there are separate checklists for each category of safety regulation. These include fire protection, hazardous chemicals, materials handling, and much more.
If your workplace gets an OSHA inspection, the auditor will evaluate your facility based on its safety regulations. Your goal is to pass the inspection with few or no errors.
Using OSHA checklists to do your own safety checks will help you pass inspection and keep your workplace safe.
How to Create an OSHA Safety Check Process
The exact checklists you need will depend on the type of business you have. You can find specific checklist examples in the OSHA Small Business Handbook. You won’t need to use every checklist, only the ones that are the most relevant for your industry.
Your checklists should focus on the aspects of your business that are the most hazardous. For example, chemical companies should focus on hazardous chemical handling checks since it’s a risk.
You should also list the regulatory citation codes for each step. If there’s a problem, look up the official OSHA rules for a solution.
Also, plan to do safety checks at scheduled times (daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly). If you build regular safety checks into your schedule, you’ll be more likely to stay compliant.
Benefits of Safety Self-Inspections
No matter what industry you work in, it’s essential to do regular self-inspections for the safety of your employees and your workplace.
You’ll be able to catch potential hazards like ventilation issues, chemical leaks, or slip hazards. Plus, you can check if your employees are up-to-date on their safety protocol training.
When you have a safer workplace, your employees will feel safer, and they’ll do better work.
Safety self-inspections can also prevent unpleasant surprises if you get audited by OSHA. If you’re compliant, you won’t face OSHA violation fines. Depending on your insurance carrier, doing safety self-checks can even lower your premiums.
Make Your Operation More Compliant Today
If you need to solve compliance issues, set up a self-inspection process using OSHA inspection checklists.
Regular safety checks are essential, but you might run into machinery problems in the process. Luckily, at Kor-Pak, we offer replacement parts for heavy machinery, as well as some maintenance.
If you’re not sure what your business needs, contact us today. Our representatives look forward to answering any questions you have.