Is Your Company up to OSHA Standards?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration creates safety standards that employers all over the country must follow. These standards ensure employers create policies and other protocols to avoid serious injuries or death on the job. Companies not up to OSHA standards could face fines and other heavy enforcement actions. It is important your company meets or exceeds these expectations and below is a guide to help you know where you can improve.

Create Written Safety Policies
All employers should have safety policies that management and employees are made aware of. To pass OSHA, the policy should be included in an employee handbook or other literature that is easily accessible to everyone and directly associated with the company. In addition, there should be refresher meetings and other training sessions to ensure the policies are understood and implemented properly. Companies can make use of online HAZWOPER training and certification simulators like National Environmental Trainers courses to train and make employees familiar with the guidelines as well.

Don't Leave Inexperienced Employees Alone with Machinery
Employees should not be left alone to operate machinery or use any other equipment unless they are certified to do so. In some cases, employees must be over 18 to use mechanized equipment or tools with sharp edges such as knives or meat cutters. Employers may wish to have their own certification program in place to complement OSHA's safety standards.

Keep an Eye on Remote Workers or Workers in Confined Spaces
If a worker is performing his or her duties remotely or works in small spaces such as a sewer, employers should maintain communication with those workers at all times. For instance, radio contact should be maintained at all times or other workers should be sent to check on the employee at least once an hour. Maintaining communication is key to avoid accidents.

Test Compliance Online
OSHA has a website free to the public and contains a list of rules and regulations all employers must follow. It will also contain a list of any relevant changes to employee working standards. As standards may differ depending on what industry the company is in, it may be worthwhile to visit the site regularly. Employers and employees alike can make use of OSHA online testing, ensure their company is in compliance with the rules, and make employees aware of their rights.

When workers and employers strive to keep up with OSHA standards, the workplace is a safer and more productive place for everyone to be. Employers don't have to worry about losing their best employees to injuries or illnesses while workers don't have to worry about chronic pain or a lower quality of life off the job.