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A Safer Workplace: How Does OSHA Enforce Its Standards?
Creating a safe working environment is paramount to the well-being of employees and the success of any organization. To ensure workplaces adhere to safety regulations and standards, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an important agency when it comes to enforcing guidelines across various industries.
This blog post answers the question “How does OSHA enforce its standards?” Read on to learn more.
Inspections and Compliance
OSHA inspectors are known for visiting workplaces to make sure everything is being done in compliance and safely. OSHA goes over all the workplace safety records and they observe the working conditions. Sometimes they will take the time to interview employees and also inspect equipment to help with preventing injuries.
The main goal is to make sure there are no potential hazards. If OSHA discovers any violations they will inform the employer and give a reasonable time to fix whatever the issue is.
Citations and Penalties
If there are any violations found during an inspection, there might also be citations given at that time. The citation will show what was violated and the action required to correct the issue at hand.
As an employer you never want to wait to fix an issue, you want to resolve it as quickly as possible. If the employer continues violating the same situation, there are criminal charges and penalties that can come with repeating the same offense.
Voluntary Compliance and Consultation
OSHA also emphasizes voluntary compliance, and they encourage employers to proactively address any potential hazards. Something that OSHA does to help is offer free on-site consultation programs.
As a small or medium-sized business, you always have the option to request consultations to help you identify any potential safety hazards. During these consultations, you will also receive advice on how to improve safety practices without having the fear of receiving a penalty.
Whistleblower Protection
To empower employees to raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation, OSHA provides whistleblower protection. When a worker reports unsafe working conditions or accidents they do not have to worry about being discriminated against by their employers thanks to OSHA.
The Relationship Between OSHA and Workers’ Compensation
OSHA is focused on preventing workplace accidents and also enforcing safety standards. Workers’ compensation is there for when accidents or injuries occur. Workers compensation catastrophic claims can be filed when an employee gets injured on the job.
In this case, OSHA will usually go in and investigate the incident to determine if any safety violations or hazards contributed to the injury.
Now You Know the Answer to: “How Does OSHA Enforce Its Standards?”
OSHA’s enforcement of safety standards plays a crucial role in creating a safer workplace environment for employees across various industries. Now that we answered the question “How does OSHA enforce its standards?” your business can collaborate to help create a healthier, more productive workforce and a safer work environment for all.
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