"This information previously published in the Venture HRO LLC newsletter, September 24, 2010. "
Employers (especially small employers) are often overwhelmed with their safety obligations. And yes, there are some industries with complicated and rigid requiremens. However, for many industries, the requirements are relatively straightforward, although it does require some work up front. If you have even one employee, you have OSHA requirements. So here's a list for your reference:
- Post the OSHA poster where employees can readily see it (do not post it on a bulletin board where other items may obstruct any part of the poster)
- Develop a safety plan (this is NOT required by OSHA, but is very useful to lead you through the basics required for every organization and is often requested by workers comp and/or liability carriers)
- Have an evacuation plan (if you have fewer than 11 employees, the plan can be oral, but you do have to have one and your employees need to know it. If you have 11 or more employees, the plan must be written)
- Have a fire prevention plan (required for every employer)
- Have a written Hazard Communication plan and all of the items required to support it (chemical inventory, MSDS, etc.)
- Maintain OSHA Form 300 and supporting accident reports (not required if you have 10 or fewer employees or are in certain industries unless you have been requested to keep records by OSHA as part of their on-going data gathering process). Don't forget the annual workplace analysis that must be posted February - April.
- Conduct hazard analysis and abatement (look for unsafe conditions and get them fixed)
- Provide any required personal protective equipment and teach your employees how to use it correctly
- Train employees on hazards and safe work practices BEFORE they begin work and periodically thereafter. You must retrain when work procedures change. Some standards have specific refresher training guidelines (for example, bloodborne pathogens training is required annually if that standard applies to you). Standards sometimes provide specific items for training (hazard communication, for example) and some have requirements for how training is done (the bloodborne pathogens standard requires that someone be available to answer questions during training.)
- Keep records of hazard analysis, accidents, exposures, and training.
Other items may be required depending upon your industry and the types of jobs you have. The above list may appear daunting and admittedly takes some time to develop. However, the basics are not hard to set up and maintain.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed