How to Get OSHA Approved
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a government agency part of the Department of Labor. It enforces regulations for the health and safety of employees at their workplace. To get approved by OSHA, you must comply with the rules that apply to your industry. Although complying with these rules might involve a financial investment, it can save lives and help you save money in insurance premiums, compensation lawsuits and sick days from occupational injuries and illnesses. According to OSHA, businesses spend $170 billion a year on costs associated to occupational injuries.
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Instructions
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Find out if the state in which you work has its own OSHA-approved state program for your industry. If it does, you might have to comply with different or additional rules, and have other cooperative programs available. Twenty-eight states have their own approved state plans, but some (Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Virgin Islands) only cover the public sector.
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Find out way rules apply to your business' industry. OSHA provides a quick start tool for general industry, construction and health care on its website. Guides are offered on the general hazards found at the workplace of each sector. This way you can create a list of rules, hazards and assistance material tailored for your business. Once you have a basic list, look for additional hazards in your workplace.
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Create a job site safety and health program. This is not an OSHA requirement, but it will help you comply with OSHA standards, and more importantly, prevent injuries and illnesses. To help you develop your own program you can review OSHA's voluntary guidelines, or check out a sample program on their website.
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Ask for a free on-site consultation. These consultations are free and confidential; they are separate from enforcement agencies and will not result in fines or citations. This will help you find out about the hazards at your worksite, improve your company's health and safety program, and even avoid routine OSHA inspections for a year. This service is aimed at smaller businesses that might not be able to afford full time health and safety consultants.
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Train your employees. Once you have listed the hazards at your worksite and the measures you have taken to mitigate or eliminate these hazards you must train your employees. A number of OSHA standards include providing specific training to their employees. Keep a record of all safety and health training as OSHA might require proof.
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Keep records of workplace injuries and illnesses. You must report work-related deaths or hospitalizations. Some businesses like retail, finance, insurance or other low-hazard industries are exempt from this rule.
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Place the OSHA poster in a prominent location at the workplace.
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Tips & Warnings
This is not a comprehensive list. Hire the services of a safety and health consultant, or contact an OSHA consultant before starting a job that involves hazardous activities or products.
References
Resources
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