Now is a good time to review your Safety Program to determine if it is fully implemented and you are current with your safety requirements.

First thing is to find your safety manual, dust it off and review it.  If you know where it is, kudos.  Check the following:

·       Is the company address and phone numbers correct?

·       Are the key personnel listed in safety program still with the company?

·       Review your inspection schedule.  Are you inspecting to this schedule.  Do you know where these inspection reports are?

·       Review your safety training requirements.  Did you train new employees when they were hired?  Were employees trained if new processes or equipment were added to the workplace?  How about ongoing training?  Many state OSHA’s require that construction workers attend tailgate safety meetings.  Do you comply?  This training must be documented.  Do you have the sign in sheets for this training?

·       Managers, supervisors, foremen, etc. need additional training so they can successfully do their job from a safety standpoint.  Often workers are promoted because they do a good job, but do not receive appropriate training to deal with the hazards the employees they are supervising are exposed to.  OSHA requires these employees receive additional training corresponding to their position.

·       Do you have policies and procedures covering all hazards.  All companies need policies for:  emergencies, accidents, inspections and training.  If you have chemicals, a hazard communication policy is required.  You might need a policy for one of these (not a complete list):  lockout/tagout, confined space, excavations, fall protection and scaffolding. 

·       About half the states have a state plan and these state OSHA plans may have unique requirements that must be followed.  All other states fall under federal guidelines. 

Regulations change—you must be compliant and aware of the latest laws.  Ignorance of the law is no defense to a citation.  Current regulations are updated on the corresponding OSHA website.  Go to http://tinyurl.com/yzoklua for a link to the each of the state OSHA websites or federal OSHA.

If you need help or have any questions, call us at 800-200-0888.