OSHA Compliance FAQ
Comprehensive consulting and ongoing training
What does OSHA mean?
OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which was established in 1971 with the passage of the Occupations Safety and Health Act. Since both terms have the same initials, the latter is often referred to as the OSH Act.
What is the main objective of OSHA?
OSHA was designed to provide a safe and healthy working environment for employees. It does this by creating and administering specific safety standards and effective methods of recognizing hazards.
Aside from this, OSHA provides training and outreach if needed. They also conduct random or scheduled inspections and levy fines and citations for safety infractions.
What happens during an OSHA audit?
If your practice is covered by OSHA, they can perform an inspection at any time. You can also request an audit from the agency. Either way, it can cover your entire workspace or just certain parts.
During an audit, OSHA’s compliance officers (who can be trained in safety or health hazards) will start by doing an opening conference. Here, they will establish the purpose of the inspection as well as its scope.
The next step is a walkthrough of all work areas involved. Someone from your company must go with the inspector to take notes and answer questions.
Last is the closing conference, where They will issue a citation if they find violations of any specific OSHA standard or regulation. You can also ask for copies of photos, videos, and sample reports or receipts of documents copied by the inspector.
How to get OSHA audit protection?
There are many steps that you can take to ensure that you’re ready for an OSHA audit at any point in time.
First, find out the OSHA standards and standard interpretations that are cited for your industry. Next, keep a record of all the injuries and illnesses in your workplace and submit them to OSHA if needed.
It would also help if you knew what to do before, during, and after an OSHA inspection, so familiarize yourself with the process. Also, identify someone to represent the company during audits.
Remind your employees to observe all safety rules and make sure that everyone in the company knows where the health and safety records are.
Finally, reach out to an OSHA compliance specialist for onsite consultations, training, and other services.
What are the three parts of an OSHA inspection?
In general, there is no way to know when an OSHA audit will take place. Nevertheless, there are steps that you can take to prepare for it and minimize your chances of getting a citation.
Ideally, you should make workplace safety a part of your culture as a business. This way, you remain compliant at all times and should have no problem being audited at random.
You could also familiarize yourself with the OSHA inspection process.
It starts with the opening conference, where the OSHA inspector meets briefly with a representative of the employees, the onsite manager, and possibly other members of the organization. In this stage, the inspector will explain the purpose of the audit.
From there, the inspector proceeds to walk around the facility and ask questions, take photos, and examine the working conditions. They will also ask to see written compliance forms and regulations along with the Safety Data Sheets. You should have an SDS for each of the hazardous chemicals in the workplace to protect all its users.
After this, the inspector meets again with the other party to discuss violations and hazards, if any are identified. They will also make recommendations on how the company can fix the problems and set a target date for completion.
Why is it important for employees to go through OSHA training?
One of the biggest reasons why workers should go through OSHA training is to protect themselves while at work.
Based on a report from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the healthcare sector and social assistance industry had the highest number of illnesses or injuries between 2019 and 2021. These cases included COVID-19 infections.
Given the current situation, your staff needs to learn how to identify existing or potential risks. It would allow them to determine what actions to take to prevent these injuries or job-related illnesses.
That is where OSHA training comes into play.
Ongoing training can help develop the safety skills of your staff and build a strong culture of safety in your organization.
Granted, you have to invest time and other resources for this and ask for the assistance of safety specialists, but in return, your business will become more productive, and you can avoid having to pay OSHA fines.
What are the training requirements of OSHA?
OSHA is not too specific when it comes to how training is administered, but your employees do need to have functional knowledge of how to do their jobs safely from day to day. If the work environment has a hazard, all those who work around it must be trained about the risks and safety measures involved.
Do dental offices need OSHA training?
Yes, dental offices are also required to conduct OSHA training every year. Also, all employees must go through it, even those working part-time.
What should an employer do after getting an OSHA citation?
Issuing an OSHA citation for any infraction is the responsibility of the compliance safety and health officer or CSHO. Once an employer receives an OSHA notice, they must post it close to the areas where the violations happened.
This citation must remain posted for three working days or until the problem has been addressed if it takes more than three days.
How can an employee file an OSHA complaint?
OSHA values honest feedback from employees when it comes to safety issues and has systems in place to protect them from retaliation.
There are two ways for an employee to file a complaint. One is anonymous, which can be done online, via fax, or through a phone call. In this method, the complainant does not have to provide a name or contact information.
In the second method, the complainants provide their identities but should not do the same for witnesses, if there are any.
Are there exemptions from OSHA guidelines?
OSHA applies to most private sector employees and employers in all US jurisdictions, either directly through Federal OSHA or an OSHA-approved state program.
However, 24 states and the District of Columbia do not have an OSHA-approved state plan. OSHA does not apply to public sector employees in these places.
Independent contractors and freelancers are similarly exempt from OSHA requirements. The same is true for someone working on a farm who is also a member of the farm employer’s family.
Finally, hazards that are regulated by other federal agencies are also excluded from OSHA compliance. Some of the most common examples are in the nuclear power and mining sector.
There are some instances where employers are still covered by OSHA but are exempt from certain standards only.
Physician’s Resource offers a FREE initial consultation. Give us a call today at 1-800-615-1729 to speak with one of our compliance specialists.
OSHA Training and certification programs
Here is where Physician’s Resource, an OSHA training and compliance consulting service, will play a pivotal role for your business. As OSHA requirements continually evolve, Physician’s Resource specializes in guiding your office through these changes. Advanced technology and the potential of workplace safety hazards are a part of the dynamic nature in the industry environments of the medical, dental and veterinary practices.
The management of businesses such as medical practices takes a team of dedicated staff and administrators to effectively handle all that is involved in those day to day operations. This is why many physicians and business owners have turned to maintaining their good standing compliance through an OSHA training service such as Physician’s Resource. We streamline, organize and update their OSHA compliance requirements.
If your business is subject to OSHA requirements, it is essential to attain and maintain that safe individual workplace environment unique to your facility. Working with a Physician’s Resource OSHA safety trainer, an expert regarding current OSHA regulation, your office is prepared. Safety concerns are addressed and rectified. Should an OSHA inspection be initiated, be confident that potential red flags have been corrected beforehand. Staying knowledgeable and up to date with OSHA requirements is indeed a full time job and Physician’s Resource is truly here to help.
How does an OSHA training consultant keep us compliant?
As OSHA training and compliance experts, Physician’s Resource stays on top of any and everything a practice or business is required to do in order to achieve and maintain full OSHA compliance. Physician’s Resource OSHA Training Consultants take their knowledge and experience to your individual workplace environment. Then, we create a complete set of safety specifications uniquely yours. Physician’s Resource brings your facility up to the levels required by OSHA and then assists you in maintaining that dynamic level of safety standards. Our OSHA Training Consultants provide all the necessary tools and guidance to continually be OSHA compliant.
Keeping you continually compliant includes annual staff training at your location. The Physician’s Resource Trainer also does a thorough walk through of your facility during the annual office training. We work with your staff identifying and correcting all potentially serious workplace hazards. Physician’s Resource clients achieve a safe working environment by learning to recognize and remedy before a problem arises. That’s a philosophy resulting in healthy surroundings and successful OSHA inspections!
What are OSHA SDS (Previously MSDS) requirements for my facility?
SDS (Safety Data Sheets) previously known as MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets), are documents relating to any material, chemical, or other hazards specific to a unique workplace environment. For example, a Veterinary care facility will have its own set of chemical and biological considerations such as anesthetics, antibiotics, and toxic gases or gaseous by-products.
Each of these unique hazards must be identified and compiled in a SDS (Safety Data Sheet) which includes procedures and information such as:
- Hazard identification
- Chemical composition
- Procedures for exposure treatment
- Specifications for handling and storage
- Accidental release measures
- Personal protection (PPE) requirements
- Fire control methods (if applicable)
- Any other applicable points of information.
SDS Manuals are an essential piece to OSHA compliance. Physician’s Resource compiles and creates SDS tailored for your workplace.
All of this information must be compiled and stored on-site and be accessible by the facilities staff. In addition to identifying these hazards and assisting in the creation of SDS documents, Physician’s Resource will aid in the organization of OSHA safety programs and training that can be carried out on an ongoing basis to ensure the entire staff is both aware of any applicable hazards, as well as be a part of a united prevention effort company wide.
For more information about what’s required in your SDS documents, refer to OSHA.gov’s quick reference sheet or contact one of our experienced compliance experts to get information specific to your organization.
What our OSHA training and compliance program entails:
- Initial consultation thoroughly examines the needs of your facility as it applies to employee safety and OSHA requirements
- On-Call advice and support from your local Physician’s Resource compliance specialist
- Annual comprehensive and on-site staff training
Physician’s Resource works with many practices for their OSHA compliance needs including Medical, Optical, Veterinary, Dental and more.
You’re never on your own with your OSHA compliance
Physician’s Resource prides itself on ensuring that our clients always have an open line of communication to their OSHA training specialist and consultants by phone, email, fax or text. OSHA compliance questions, workplace safety concerns, training scheduling or providing up to date OSHA documentation are all available when you need them. Physician’s Resource clients have the peace of mind knowing that their facility and OSHA compliance requirements are backed up by a commitment to ongoing and professional support that has been around since 1992.
How do I make sure I’m OSHA compliant at my facility?
Physician’s Resource offers a FREE, no further obligation, on-site assessment of your facility. This orientation is helpful in identifying potential or previously unknown safety hazards. The on-site assessment aids in verifying your organization has the proper OSHA safety procedures and documentation in place, ensuring employee safety and OSHA compliance. There is no commitment or contracts involved in this initial Physician’s Resource OSHA consultation, so give us a call and speak with a compliance specialists about your business today!
Can Physician’s Resource help develop and maintain OSHA safety programs?
Yes! Ongoing OSHA safety training with your staff is vital to providing a healthy and safe workplace 365 days a year. Physician’s Resource works with the staff at your facility to develop the most current health and safety programs that are effective, simple to manage, and work to ensure all staff and management are involved in the common goal of keeping the workplace safe for everyone.
We have found that by educating the entire team on the potential for safety hazards in their unique work environment, the outcomes are overwhelmingly beneficial. Through safety awareness and providing the resources through OSHA safety training programs, Physician’s Resource assists you in maintaining OSHA compliance.
Call Physician’s Resource at 1-800-615-1729 to speak with our compliance team, or use the form on this page to have a member of our staff contact you! We look forward to starting the conversation and finding out how we can help with your facility’s OSHA consulting, or OSHA training requirements.
Interested in our OSHA Services or would like to schedule a FREE initial consultation?
Do OSHA requirements apply to my practice or facility?
The simple answer: Yes! OSHA safety requirements are put in place to protect all workers and staff across many industries and workplace types. Whether you have 2, or 2,000 employees, you are protected by OSHA but also have many requirements and obligations to OSHA. Physician’s Resource has experience working with many practices and organizations large and small. We’ll work with you to develop an OSHA compliance and training plan to fit your needs.
What happens if OSHA violations are found at our facility?
Physician’s Resource consultation services provide many benefits such as assisting in recognizing workplace safety concerns, providing advice for immediate corrective action, and providing safety documents for your facility. Our goal is to be your partner in making sure if an OSHA inspection occurs, your facility has executed it’s OSHA responsibilities correctly and earns full OSHA compliance.
Additional OSHA Resources
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