Blog Post: Are you ready for OSHA? Six Tips

1.  Do you have an Injury & Illness Prevention Plan?  As of 1991, a written, effective Injury and Illness Prevention (IIP), Program is required for every California employer.  More information on Cal/OSHA can be found at the California Department of Industrial Relations.

2.  Safety Inspection Records are a must.  Keep a notebook of anytime you are doing safety inspections- remember to document event the smallest "inspections."  Retain these records. 

3.  Train your employees to know that the Injury and Illness Prevention Plan is also called SB198.  When being questioned by an inspector... either term may be used. You want them to know both!

4.  In the event of an OSHA Inspection, remember that they can question your Supervisors.  When your Supervisor answers questions, your company is bound to what they said.  The term is "strictly liable."  Make sure your Supervisors know what they are talking about.  Attorney Robert P. Stricker, Esq. can give you more information on this topic. 

5.  Train your Management, Supervisors and Employees on your IIP and Safety Practices.  Then, train them again.  And, when you are finished training them, train them again and again.  You cannot do enough training in this area.  Then, Discipline your Employees for violating the safety rules and Document the Violations. 

6.  Every employer needs to report "immediately" by telephone to the nearest Cal/OSHA enforcement unit district office any serious injury or illness, or death of an employee occurring in a place of employment in connection with any employment.

DEFINITION: "Immediately" means as soon as practically possible, but no longer than eight (8) hours after the employer knows, or with diligent inquiry would have known of the death or serious injury or illness.