The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was enacted by President Nixon in 1971. Since then, OSHA has significantly reduced workplace injuries and combatted hazards like exposure to asbestos, lead, and carcinogens. OSHA also spearheaded responses to major catastrophes like the Deepwater Horizon explosion and COVID-19.
However, as an employer, seeing the OSHA acronym likely elicits a little anxiety. Violations can come with heavy fines, and it can trick to navigate the legal process. This reaction is entirely understandable, as most small business owners don’t specialize in employee safety and workplace hazards.
Fortunately, adhering to work safety laws is easier today than ever before. Following common compliance strategies can keep your employees safe and prevent legal penalties. Adopting best practices can enhance your operational efficiency, too, as standardizing policies like Lockout/Tagout reduces the risk of an accident at work.
OSHA Training
The U.S. Department of Labor offers further training for employers looking to bolster their understanding of OSHA. Proactively engaging in OSHA training is crucial, as changes to compliance standards may mean that you need to update your business’s policies. You can contact the DOL today to receive support like:
- Access to compliance specialists;
- On-site consultation at no cost to you;
- An OSHA outreach training program;
- Further training at OSHA Training Institute Education Centers.
You can also access resources like the small business safety handbook and additional guides for small business owners. These tools are designed to be user-friendly and will reduce the risk of an accidental breach of work safety law.
Proactively seeking further OSHA training is key if you’re worried about accidents or hazards at work. Rather than ignoring inconvenient OSHA compliance guidelines, work with an OSHA specialist to create compliance strategies that keep your team safe without derailing your current operations.
Compliance Strategies
Following OSHA guidelines related to common issues like working in confined spaces or with hazardous chemicals is central to your efforts to adhere to work safety laws. However, depending on the industry you work in, you may need to go above and beyond common guidelines.
Lockout/Tagout
Equipment with electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, and thermal components can be hazardous to employees. Those working with, servicing, or maintaining your machines may be seriously injured or killed if your workplace policies do not protect them. The best way to ensure your employees are kept safe is to implement a lockout tagout program that includes:
- Machine/task-specific procedures;
- Identification and signage around isolation points;
- Periodic inspects/audits;
- Installation of proper lockout tagout devices;
- Maintenance of relevant equipment and locks.
Embracing these measures reduces the risk of an accident at work and ensures that you run an OSHA-compliant workplace. Creating a lockout/tag-out policy can help aid efforts to document your workplace processes, too.
Documenting Processes
Standardizing your workplace safety procedures will require plenty of documentation. You’ll need to keep a record of the safety training you conduct and should have certifications stored in physical and digital locations.
As an employer, you can go above and beyond OSHA guidelines by compiling a safety procedure document that covers every element of your day-to-day activities. In addition to detailing standard safety procedures, this documentation can help you avoid fines for willful breaches that cost up to $70,000.
Cleanroom Procedures
If you work in an industry like pharmaceutical production, semiconductor fabrication, or food processing, you must adhere to a wide variety of special procedures. One especially important part of OSHA adherence is the use of cleanrooms. They are necessary for work in controlled environments, as cleanroom procedures limit the risk of contamination. You can follow OSHA guidelines, protect employees, and eliminate sources of cleanroom contamination by:
- Following cleaning protocol with SOPs that account for common hazards like skin particles and bacteria;
- Choosing qualified cleanroom wipes as substandard wipes are, in themselves, hazards;
- Creating action plans with accredited cleanroom specialists.
Following these steps can aid your efforts to eliminate contaminants like viruses, fungi, and non-volatile residues. Doing so improves the efficiency of your operations, reduces exposure to hazards, and minimizes the risk of penalties or fines.
Companies in the healthcare industry have plenty of their own rules. For example, sharps (such as needles) are both a biohazard and a piercing hazard, requiring special care. The use of sharps containers is the standard for a reason. Sharps must be stored in a cleanly labeled and pierce-resistant box, then mailed away for disposal by professionals. OSHA compliance is a team effort.
Culture of Safety
Following key compliance policies can protect your business against legal penalties and improve your employee’s well-being. As an employer, you can ensure employees follow compliance policies and promote a safety culture at work by creating a safety mentorship program. An effective safety mentorship program will aid your efforts to:
- Train new hires;
- Implement safety procedures;
- Reduce downtime due to accidents or faults;
- Create a positive workplace.
As your business grows, you’ll need to train more folks to take on the role of a safety mentor. You’ll want to work closely with OSHA experts to ensure that all of your training/teaching policies are kept up to date and meet or exceed safety laws.
Conclusion
Ensuring your workplace is OSHA-compliant is crucial to avoid legal penalties and protect your employees. Following key compliance protocols, like utilizing lockout/tagout programs, can prevent exposure to hazards like electrical currents and improve standards in your workplace. If you’re unsure whether or not your policies and procedures are OSHA-compliant, contact the U.S. Department of Labor to receive aid and advice from qualified OSHA specialists.
Featured Photo by Rose Galloway Green on Unsplash
