OSHA compliance is essential for your small business. By law, you’re required to provide a safe workplace for your employees, and you want to ensure everyone on your team stays safe. Maintaining OSHA compliance can be complicated, though. Follow eight tips and take the guesswork out of OSHA compliance in your small business’s daily operations.
Understand OSHA Regulations
While OSHA is operated by the federal government, states also establish OSHA regulations. You’re responsible to follow both the federal and state guidelines. In cases, where the federal and state guidelines differ, follow the stricter guidelines to ensure your business is compliant.
Hire a Safety Officer
Safety is the job of every employee, but your designated safety officer is the go-to person for safety plans, training and compliance. Hire a safety officer or designate an employee to take on this responsibility for your business.
A safety officer’s duties will include:
- Stay updated on OSHA regulations.
- Create an employee safety plan.
- Train employees on OSHA standards.
- Identify and correct hazards.
- Assess compliance.
- Oversee the safety committee.
Train Employees
All of your employees, from officer personnel to warehouse workers, must know and follow OSHA guidelines. Take three steps as you ensure your employees maintain OSHA compliance every day.
- Train new employees on required safety protocols.
- Provide regular safety trainings for all employees.
- Implement an open door policy where employees can ask questions or report hazards without repercussions.
Encourage a Safety Culture
Every employee should know that they’re an important part of your small business’s safety culture. They should see that you prioritize safety, and they should know that their contribution to safety is valued. Make safety part of your everyday conversations and reward safe behavior with incentives as you encourage a safety culture.
Update Equipment
Fire extinguishers expire, non-slip flooring wears out and safety signs can fade. Update all your safety equipment regularly to ensure it operates properly.
Also, update equipment and your building as needed. Worn floors, broken door handles and loose stair railings are all safety hazards that must be fixed.
Perform Safety Drills
Every employee should know how to exit the building if a fire starts and what to do during a chemical spill. Perform regular safety drills as you help everyone stay safe.
Investigate Safety Violations
When you see or hear about potential safety violations, investigate immediately. Then make necessary changes as you ensure OSHA compliance.
Take OSHA Compliance Seriously
In the midst of daily operations, it’s easy to overlook safety. However, you must take OSHA compliance seriously. Investigate every complaint, know the law and encourage safe operations as you take compliance seriously.
With these eight tips, your small business maintains OSHA compliance. Your employees stay safe and you follow the law, too.
