Legislators created the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to prevent workers from getting killed or injured at work. It’s this law that formed the Occupation Safety and Health Administration or OSHA, a provision that ensures that workers have safe working conditions. That’s because it requires the company to undergo inspections and pass the regulations.
According to the OSH Act, the law holds employers responsible for providing a safe workplace for their workers. But what can trigger the OSHA to inspect your business?
Possible reasons for scheduling OSHA inspections
It’s almost impossible for OSHA to inspect every workplace to check their compliance. But there are times when the government schedules OSHA inspections. It usually happens because of specific reasons.
One of them is for an investigation of imminent dangers. This refers to any practices or conditions that could cause a worker to get harmed or even killed while performing their duties. OSHA also investigates the incident before the employers can perform any enforcement action. The government body usually performs the inquiry within 24 hours.
OSHA also conducts fatality and catastrophe investigations, too. These are triggered whenever any workplace incidents result in the death of any worker. They do the same investigation if there are any incidents of in-patient hospitalization of three or more workers. If ever there are any incidents like this, experts say that companies are obligated to report it to the nearest OSHA office. This can be done in person or by telephone, but must be completed within eight hours of the incident happening.
Investigations of complaints can also happen. These typically occur when reports regarding company policies are delivered by referrals and employees. Regularly scheduled inspections can also occur, especially in “high hazard” industries.
OSHA regulations involving crane safety
Aside from workplace inspection, OSHA is also particular with crane safety. The Department of Labor says that OSHA requirements for crane safety are a way to ensure workers’ protection. OSA holds employers responsible for using, maintaining, and inspecting cranes. The government body often requires it in construction projects, and it has sets of provisions for ensuring that all heavy machinery is safe to use.
The provision also requires the employer to assign a reliable person in the field. This person needs to inspect all crane equipment and machinery before and after using it, to ensure that everything is working. It also requires that any problems discovered during the inspection should be addressed before the machine is put into use again. That’s why it is best to consult any overhead crane repair service in Jacksonville, FL in case you need help. Yearly inspection of the hoisting machinery is also a must, especially for construction projects.
Following the OSHA guidelines guarantees that you’re not breaking any provisions. Inspecting all large pieces of machinery in the field is a must. Doing so ensures that everything’s working. Adhering to the provisions helps reduce any chance of accidents or death while at a worksite.
