Anybody had any dealings with OSHA as an employer/owner??

[adauto]

The rumor coming down is that all auto recyclers in our state (Wis.). Will be getting a visit, the regs are constantly changing. I heard of 2 new things last week. And this was only cause it happened (inspection) to someone I know. We got a good record and all that. I realize being VERY cooperative is very helpful but.....? Any imput appreciated THANKS 

[253862656971]

Rest assured they WILL find a problem.  You might think you have all the bases covered but they will pull some crap out of their ass and make you fix it.

Several years ago the place I work for got inspected by OSHA.  The problem they found was on the hot head presses.  They said that there were no gaurds to keep you from touching the head when it was down.  The thing was no such gaurd ever existed for these presses.  We went round and round on it because they were going to fine us for something missing that didn't exist in the first place.  Finally we agreed that if we fabricated some gaurds we wouldn't get fined.  They were supposed to come back and check them out but of course they never came back. 

[4402tuff4u]

Once in a long while we get checked for violations on our jobsites. Especially when there is a death in a construction jobsite in NYC or surrounding boroughs. Since we specialized in marine construction, we get checked for proper access to and from barges for work crew. Proper equipment and gear for diving crew. Proper equipment on rigs/cranes, etc....Basically OSHA knows who has to be watched and monitored. Those overnight "fly- by" types of companies that sprout overnight that hire anyone to perform work that requires skilled workers.

Send someone off the street because it costs less to dive inside a footing for a bridge that has multitude of rebar sticking out and you can get fouled up/tangled in the web of rebar and you can't see your hand in front of you due to lack of lighting or murky waters - that's the type of employer/owner who OSHA is looking for. OSHA is very similar to the police. Be honest with them, show them your OSHA 300 log, show them your training logs and tool box safety meetings, explain to them the job hazardous work plan, emergency response plan, invite them to walk through the job/project/factory when they are there- by no means call them!!!, ask them for suggestions & recommendations to improve safety and they will treat you like a human being. On the other hand be a dick, arrogant and smart ass and they will hand you the citations that will add to $ 10,000 - 100,000. Your employer/boss will not be impressed with you to say the least. Last time I had an inspection I hit it off pretty good with the agent cause I noticed that he was a NRA member and I wanted to lighten up the atmosphere so I started talking about guns and he responded really good and we ended up talking more about guns. No citations were handed over to me and I was surprised cause OSHA was called out to the jobsite because I had too layoff a unexperienced crane operator that drop the load three times. I was even nice to the operator because I believe everyone needs a break into the industry once in awhile but having men below the load, I had no choice. I even told the operator that I would say that the work was done - no more need for an operator, but he chose to call OSHA to state that the crane was defective. No citaions given and the crane was inspected by an independent agency and found to be in good working order.

They like and are very forgiving if you are heavy on the training of your employees and documenting it - trust me on this one!!

[histoy]

I've managed foundries in several states and I've had a few OSHA inspections.  In fact the local inspector (Illinois)came to our plant 2 weeks ago, just 2 days before our plant shutdown.  He'll be back to inspect us a  week from today.  You will have an opening conference where he should present his credentials, and explain the reason for his inspection.  Be sure to have your safety supervisor attend.  If it's a union facility, he may ask for their safety rep to attend as well.  My advice is to cooperate, but only answer his specific questions.  Do not offer any additional info.  Be sure to review your OSHA 300 log ASAP and make sure it's accurate.  The inspector asked for copies for every month for the last 3 1/2 years.   Take a look around and make sure that you don't have any obvious violations.  Make them work to find them.  Tour your facility with the inspector.  Take good notes and take a picture of anything the inspector photographs.  Make sure all your people are wearing their PPE (personal protective equipment) appropriate for the job.   The inspector will want to talk to employees one on one privately, so let your people know this ahead of time the day of the inspection.  Unless the inspector is called in for a specific complaint, he may not do an inspection on the first visit.  He may do a quick tour and set a date for another visit.  They will always find something wrong, but we try to correct the problem within 24 hours, if possible, though it's not necessary.   There will be a closing conference that may result in suggested fines.  You can appeal them to a higher OSHA authority, and normally get them reduced.  Good luck!
 

[adauto]

I apprrieciate all your imput! Thanks 

[Beer]

I deal with the USCG and MMS on a routine basis.
Cleaniness and first impression are important as well as gamesmanship.

Being familiar with the rules is the best hand when playing the gamesmanship game.

Beer