How to Be Sure Your Business Meets OSHA Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created in 1971 to help employers and their employees provide safer working conditions. To date, OSHA has been instrumental in reducing workplace injuries in the United States by 40 percent and fatalities by 60 percent. The appropriate guidelines to follow to ensure compliance with OSHA standards depend on the nature of your business. Follow these steps to learn some basic requirements to make sure your business meets OSHA standards.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Follow These Guidelines to Meet OSHA Standards

1. Create a Hazard Communication System so employees can educate themselves about any hazardous chemicals they may come in contact with at your place of business.
2. Devise an Emergency Action Plan to instruct employees on what to do and where to go in the event of fire or other emergency. This action is almost always required to make sure your business meets OSHA standards, regardless of the type of business.
3. Develop an Accident Prevention Plan to reduce slips and falls on walking surfaces, including stairways, platforms and ladders.
4. Demonstrate that you have adequate medical and first aid supplies on hand in the event of an injury. The extent of this program depends on the nature of your business and its environment.

Get Specialized Help to Meet OSHA Standards

5. Participate in one of OSHA's Cooperative Programs, which provide advanced training opportunities, incentives, rewards and support for compliance.
6. Contact a Compliance Assistance Specialist from your local OSHA office for one-on-one guidance on how to meet OSHA standards for your specific industry (see the Resources section below).
7. Take advantage of programs and materials geared for the small business that OSHA has to offer, such as free site inspections and special software (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Document all your plans in writing and require your employees to read them. Afterwards, have them sign a document that verifies they have read and understood the guidelines.
• The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 29, defines OSHA standards, and Parts 1904, 1910 and 1926 describe its regulations.
• While it is prudent for all employers to maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses, employers with more than 11 employees are required to do so. However, low-risk industries, such as retail, finance and insurance, are exempt from this requirement.
• Noncompliance with OSHA standards can trigger fines from $7,000 for severe violations up to $70,000 if the violation has or is likely to result in a death.