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Have a facility inspection list that includes a basic summary of things that a well-ordered and safe plant should have in place. your operation OSHA might want to look at during an inspection. • Pay attention to any balconies where things are stored and know their load limits. • If you have any elevated surfaces where maintenance is done, provide necessary safety protection such as harnesses or railings. • Develop a facility inspection list that includes a basic summary of things that a well-ordered and safe plant should have in place. • Get a copy of OSHA's "Small Business Handbook." • Make sure any special safety features related to equipment are in place and operating, such as the fire detection and automatic shutoff required on powder booths with automatic guns. • Review all OSHA-reportable incidents. • Have an OSHA inspection action plan in place that includes instructions for what key people should do if an OSHA inspector shows up at your facility. Tips on an inspecTion The following are some other information and tips based on my experience: Take a deep breath. This process will take a commitment of time and energy, particularly if you have not already put some measures in place. OSHA will only show up unannounced the first time. While this will most likely result in a plant inspection, any subsequent visits will be by appointment, and you will have some time to prepare. When an OSHA compliance officer shows up, he will present his credentials and tell you the reason for the visit. While the inspector is in your plant, a person from your company should be with him at all times; any indication of a violation should be written down and perhaps even documented with a camera. The inspector will review any proposed violations before he leaves. Immediately go about correcting those violations; they often can be fixed quickly and easily. Then proactively notify the OSHA inspector of the fixes. After OSHA has reviewed everything, the agency will officially notify the company of any violations via registered mail. This will include a detailed breakdown with references to the violated regulations and any applicable fines. Do not be surprised if this process from inspection to official notification takes several months. Once the official notification has been made, however, the clock starts ticking. The company has 15 days to contest the violations or pay the fines. Throughout this process the company should be sure to note the specifics of what led to any violapfonline.com 19