Today, even the most proactive organizations tend to have varying hazard assessment records. Many facilities even have one page hazard assessment records, while some have extremely detailed documentation.
Many of the OSHA inspectors claim that the biggest problem they face is with the PPE standards. Most employers are ignorant about this particular standard and are not aware of what the requirements are. Some employers on the other hand, make it very difficult for themselves, as they get extremely overwhelmed and think that OSHA is looking for a lot more than they actually are.
OSHA’s intention is not to force companies into spending more time in writing hazard assessments. In those companies where employees are using adequate PPE, and if there is a violation in any written certification, in most cases, OSHA does not even penalize the company.
Here are a few tips to follow in order to comply with the PPE standards set by OSHA:
1. Every OSHA inspector will start an inspection by first inspecting the injury and illness logs. Make sure your employees do not encounter injuries that could have been prevented.
2. Recruit managers to observe job hazards. People from different departments will be able to observe more safety hazards than regulars.
3. Include records of safety evaluations, past industrial hygiene surveys and labor management meeting that may have identified hazards.
4. Include a MSDS in your report.
5. Do not conduct the hazard assessment for every employee; instead it should be done job-wise or area-wise. Those employees who frequently enter hazardous zones should be focused on.
6. Make sure all your workers are trained in the use of PPE.
There are many other ways to avoid violating the OSHA PPE standards. However, these should be at the top on your list.
Many of the OSHA inspectors claim that the biggest problem they face is with the PPE standards. Most employers are ignorant about this particular standard and are not aware of what the requirements are. Some employers on the other hand, make it very difficult for themselves, as they get extremely overwhelmed and think that OSHA is looking for a lot more than they actually are.
OSHA’s intention is not to force companies into spending more time in writing hazard assessments. In those companies where employees are using adequate PPE, and if there is a violation in any written certification, in most cases, OSHA does not even penalize the company.
Here are a few tips to follow in order to comply with the PPE standards set by OSHA:
1. Every OSHA inspector will start an inspection by first inspecting the injury and illness logs. Make sure your employees do not encounter injuries that could have been prevented.
2. Recruit managers to observe job hazards. People from different departments will be able to observe more safety hazards than regulars.
3. Include records of safety evaluations, past industrial hygiene surveys and labor management meeting that may have identified hazards.
4. Include a MSDS in your report.
5. Do not conduct the hazard assessment for every employee; instead it should be done job-wise or area-wise. Those employees who frequently enter hazardous zones should be focused on.
6. Make sure all your workers are trained in the use of PPE.
There are many other ways to avoid violating the OSHA PPE standards. However, these should be at the top on your list.
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