Risk & Business Magazine Spectrum Insurance Fall 2016 | Page 7

OSHA INSPECTOR

How To Interact
With An OSHA
Inspector

BY: KIM SCHERMETZLER
SAFETY & RISK MANAGER,
SPECTRUM INSURANCE GROUP

Always Be Prepared

T

he best way to avoid
paying fines for violating
Occupational Health and
Safety Administration
(OSHA) standards is to
always be prepared for an inspection.
Since an OSHA officer has no
obligation to inform an employer
of the inspection ahead of time, the
visit will usually be unannounced.
However, companies in industries with
particular hazards, and companies who
have previously experienced a death
in the workplace, are most vulnerable
to an OSHA inspection. Planning for
an assessment before it happens will
make it go more smoothly, allow you
to be in control, and create a positive
impression on the OSHA officer, all of
which will result in fewer citations.
To be fully prepared, it is important
to decide in advance who will be
designated to do the following:

•
•

Greet the inspector.

•

Document and photograph
any alleged violations.

credentials. Be sure to verify the
credentials by calling the nearest
federal or state OSHA office.

•

•

•

Guide the inspector during the
walk-around of your facility.

Make sure that you have your company’s
OSHA logs (if required) for the previous
five years, organized and ready for
inspector review in case he or she requests
it. Failure to produce these, or any other
document, requested by the OSHA
inspector could result in hefty fines.
WHEN AN OSHA INSPECTOR ARRIVES:
• Greet the officer cordially, but ask
to see the individual’s credentials
right away if he or she does not
immediately present them. It is not
enough that the officer produces

Notify your des