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Every risk manager and business owner knows that a visit from the green-coated OSHA representatives can be a nerve-wracking experience. It does not have to be that way as long as the safety and health engineer has done his, or nowadays, her job and, to the utmost safety conscience ability, at that. Risk Managers and Safety and Health Professionals All risk managers and safety and health professionals should be prepared for a visit from the green-coats and substantially at a more frequent basis than in years gone by. Even the once untouchable onsite Hazwoper 24 and 40 hour safety courses are now a target for such OSHA ‘comes calling’ visits. Department of Labor In order to gain an understanding and comprehension discerning why the Department of Labor’s safety wing, OSHA, has decided to ramp up these safety orientated visits, one would have to look at the nature of this branch of the federal government and how the agency began for that answer. OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, as mentioned earlier. Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970-birthed OSHA to help employers and employees reduce on the job injuries, illnesses, and casualties while on the job. Now that you know a little about the background of OSHA, it is time to move forward to present-day safety checkups and visits and the ever-increasing frequencies of these on the job and onsite visits. Greatest Amount of Imminent and Immediate Danger to Employees OSHA has decided that in this present economy, and with the state of the nation, in general, in relation to occupational hazards and the weather to boot, it would be wise to upgrade the amount and frequency of visits. One of the targeted areas of concern is the job sites that look to have the greatest amount of imminent and immediate danger to employees. Next to that realm are the work sites that have suffered an employee fatality or catastrophe previously. An employee complaint regarding workplace safety or health issues may also result in an OSHA visit. Preparation Is Key All risk managers as well as safety training educators’ onsite need to understand that these increased OSHA visits are indeed a step in the right direction when it applies to the safety of all workers and volunteers. Safety is the greatest need and requirement in any site and in any company for that matter and must be seen as that and nothing less. Preparation is key to a successful OSHA visit and will be the deciding factor on whether or not a violation is found or not? About the Author Senior Vice President -Scott Johnson Scott Johnson, co-founder of Online OSHA Safety Training, guides the flow of the site as well as the employees that make up this spectacular safety training resource. For more info visit:http://www.onlineoshasafetytraining.com/
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