PURPOSE: Workplace inspections reduce the risk of occupational injuries and illnesses by identifying unsafe and unhealthy conditions and providing the opportunity for such hazards to be abated before injuries or illnesses occur. Periodic facility/site inspections also provide an opportunity to verify compliance with applicable regulations and established workplace safety standards.
REFERENCES:
POLICY: All areas within Florida Tech facilities/sites shall be inspected at least annually to identify any unsafe or unhealthy conditions. In addition, focused, unscheduled inspections may be conducted in response to employee reports of unsafe or unhealthy conditions. Abatement of identified unsafe or unhealthy conditions will be initiated as soon as practicable based on the determined risk and required resources.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under ES-1002 Safety and Occupational Health Inspections Policy
PROCEDURES:
Note:
This is a ‘self-audit program,’ which OSHA interprets as, If the employer has corrected the violative condition prior to the initiation of an inspection (or a related accident, illness, or injury that triggers the OSHA inspection) and has taken appropriate steps to prevent the recurrence of the condition, the Agency will refrain from issuing a citation, even if the violative condition existed within the six-month limitations period during which OSHA is authorized to issue citations. Where a voluntary self-audit identifies a hazardous condition, and the employer promptly undertakes appropriate measures to correct the violative condition and to provide interim employee protection but has not completely corrected the violative condition when an OSHA inspection occurs, the Agency will treat the audit report as evidence of good faith, and not as evidence of a willful violation of the Act.
-Willful violation of the Act carries a fine of: $134,937 per violation;
-Failure to Abate carries a fine of: $13,494 per day beyond the abatement date;
-Serious, Other-Than-Serious Posting Requirements: $13,494 per violation.
*Note2:
2 weeks refers to 14-business days that excludes weekends and federal holidays. Inspected parties will be given a verbal brief as to what is not in compliance with regulatory standards.
Note3:
Areas of inspection will be the following –
1. Required Safety Training per regulations/policy (OSHA, EPA, Florida, Florida Tech etc.…);
2. Chemical inventory (if applicable);
3. Workspace for safety compliance;
4. Medical Surveillance Program (if applicable).