Our OSHA inspection checklist: How to pass your inspection

June 14, 2021 at 7:00 AM
A view down a tunnel of a man in a neon shirt operatin a forklift carrying boxes stacked on a pallet. An OSHA inspection checklist will ensure each aspect of this process is up to code.

Your employees’ safety and working conditions should always be prioritized. Entities like the OSHA ensure employees are taken care of. However, a visit from a compliance officer can still cause inordinate stress. That’s why an OSHA inspection checklist is so crucial. At T&M Cranes, we’ve been helping companies pass OSHA inspections since 1974. Our 24/7 service and tailored solutions ensure both you and your employees are taken care of.

Here’s our OSHA inspection checklist:

Preparing for the inspection

A crucial part of an OSHA inspection checklist is assembling a preparedness coordinating body. This entity should include all integral figures to ensure everything is taken care of and expectations are clear. To prepare, perform internal inspections.

Notify all employees of how rigorous the inspection is. This ensures employees comprehend the gravity of the situation. However, relaying this information requires effort. Hold a meeting and outline who’s responsible for what.

Performing internal inspections and holding meetings will catch some issues that could potentially be marked against you. When preparing, ensure:

  • Equipment doesn’t pose hazards
  • Air, water, and other samples have been tested for toxicity
  • Work practices and processes have been observed
  • Safeguards are in place

Preparing for an inspection can be daunting. Luckily, with T&M, we’ll guide you through precisely what you need to do before and during an inspection to pass it with flying colors!

Organizing resources

Organizing resources is an essential part of any OSHA inspection checklist. Know precisely where documents are stored so you can retrieve them promptly.

Consolidate all materials and designate an area for records review. Also, coordinate internal human resources. This includes extensive discussions with facility program managers and those who will accompany and guide inspectors.

However, OSHA compliance officers will want to see extensive documentation. Required recordkeeping to compile includes:

  • A written hazard communication program
  • Injury/illness records for the past 5 years
  • Emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures
  • Exposure and medical records
  • Bloodborne pathogen documentation
  • Respirator programs
  • Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
  • Written Lockout/Tag Out (LO/TO) programs
  • Training records

Additionally, the vast majority of compliance officers will request to see training records. Knowing precisely what to compile requires extensive expertise and knowledge only acquired by years of experience. At T&M, we have both in abundance to facilitate resource organization.

During the inspection

Part of the OSHA inspection checklist is promptly resolving potential violations. Whether it’s during or before an inspection, immediate remediation is essential.

Moreover, answer questions concisely and clearly. Any evasiveness can lead to unwanted suspicion. Also, remember to greet your inspector and check credentials upon arrival. This may seem rude, but it’s a necessary part of the process.

Note and document everything the inspector does. Record all conversations. When the inspector takes photographs, replicate them with your own camera. From examining records to collecting air samples, duplicate everything they do and document.

During the closing conference, the compliance officer will disclose observations and violations. Produce a record of the corrective actions taken during the inspection and present answers to questions you couldn’t answer on the floor.

Submit a contact form for a consultation!

If an OSHA inspection is imminent, you have no choice but to prepare. While this can be a tortuous process, there are solutions. Luckily, T&M Cranes has been providing OSHA inspection checklists and preparation services to help businesses pass with flying colors for years. We’re family-owned and operated since 1974. As a result, we treat each client like our kin. Submit a contact form now!