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Here’s a top 10 list of the things you need to do to insure that their visit has the least impact on your bottom line as possible…

Ten Commandments for Managing an OSHA visit

1. I need to know my legal rights and be ready.

2. I’ll appoint and train one person or a team to handle government investigations.

3. Before I permit access, I’ll check inspector’s credentials.

4. Before inspection begins, I’ll be clear why the inspector is visiting. If not clear, I’ll dig deeper until I’m satisfied why the inspector is visiting.

5. I’ll be totally professional, no hostile behavior.

6. I’ll never, ever permit an inspector to go through my facility unaccompanied. I’ll have at least two company employees to accompany the inspector, one to take notes and the other to listen.

7. I’ll video the inspection. If I can’t video, I’ll audiotape and take the same measurements and photographs inspector takes. I’ll keep thorough and complete notes.

8. Like an IRS audit, I’ll not volunteer anything. I’ll only answer what is asked and give only requested documents.

9. I won’t give inspector documents the law says I don’t have to unless I’m convinced the reasons are valid.

10. At the closing conference, I’ll obtain information, but offer no additional information.

For more information, head on over to www.OSHA.gov

What kind does your company have?

Is it formalized with buy-in from the owner all the way down to the newest employee?  Or is it in place because it is the only way you can bid all the jobs you want,  and OSHA says you have to?  Most contractors fall in the middle.  Safety is important, but not to the point where we let it delay a project from being completed on time.  Or, we pay a lot of attention to safety immediately following an accident, then we slowly get lazy about it until someone gets hurt again…

Listen folks, the insurance market has been soft(less expensive and more readily available) for contractors for the last few years.  According to industry experts, the next hard market is right around the corner and having an effective safety program, is a good way to show insurance underwriters that you care about limiting the amount of claims they have to pay and care more about whether all your employees get home every night instead of getting the job done as fast as you can.  Having a safety handbook is helpful, having safety meetings is helpful, wearing hardhats and other PPE is helpful.  Putting them all together is VERY helpful and believe it or not, will have a bearing on your insurance pricing.

Is this what your safety program looks like? If so, now is the time to get it a real helmet.