How Are OSHA Inspections Conducted?

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) establishes and enforces workplace health and safety standards. OSHA regulations cover an array of workplace health and safety protocols designed to combat the many possible dangers in one’s work environment. However, it is up to employers and employees to implement these best practices, follow regulation standards, and put in the effort to make their workplaces healthy and safe.

To ensure proper implementation of health and safety protocols, the Department of Labor sends out a team of OSHA representatives to conduct a workplace inspection. Learn how OSHA inspections are conducted and prepare to pass your inspection with flying colors.

What Happens During an OSHA Inspection

The OSHA inspection process is split into three major parts:

An opening conference that provides an explanation for the reason behind the inspection and an overview of inspection procedures and the process’s scope.
A walkaround that involves a tour of the workplace, hazard evaluations, and private consultations with individual workers.
A closing conference that involves a discussion of findings and corrective procedures.

After an OSHA inspection, inspectors file their recordings to your area director, who then determines whether your business receives a citation.

When To Expect an OSHA Inspection

OSHA inspections can arise from:

A filed complaint
Worker fatalities
Referrals
Targeted inspections
Follow-up inspections
Situations of imminent danger

OSHA inspections make sure your workplace adheres to OSHA regulations and operates in a healthy and safe manner.

How To Prepare for an OSHA Inspection

Along with knowing how OSHA inspections are conducted, it is important to know how to prepare for an OSHA inspection. The best way to prepare for an inspection is to conduct a self-evaluation. Conduct your own employee interviews, inspect your facilities and equipment, and record and correct any hazards or compliance breaches. Making sure your workplace is healthy, safe, and operating according to best practices guarantees a successful OSHA inspection process. Further ensure your success and reduce the need for inspections with Gamma Compliance’s OSHA training manuals. Our OSHA compliance training materials provide you with all the necessary information to meet OSHA safety inspection requirements and more. Check out our training manuals and improve your workplace’s health and safety.