It is always a difficult and stressful time when a workplace accident causes death or serious injury or illness to an employee. Employers faced with such a situation are understandably focused on calming anxious co-workers and providing information to distraught family members. Nonetheless, employers should also be prepared for a visit from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
OSHA is the federal agency authorized to conduct workplace inspections and investigations to determine whether employers are complying with standards governing health and safety in the workplace. Under Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, every working man and woman is to be provided with a safe and healthy workplace. So when a workplace accident occurs, chances are that an OSHA inspection will ensue. This article provides some practical steps that employers can undertake to handle such an inspection.
