For business owners, OSHA requirements can get a little confusing. But, did you know that OSHA provides resources that you can use to help ensure you are in compliance with the most up-to-date requirements? For starters, they have a great Web site at www.osha.gov which you can peruse for downloads and other helpful information.
A nifty resource is OSHA’s Federal Registers publication. This is a daily publication of Federal notices, rules, and proposed rules, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents as they relate to OSHA. Basically, you can keep posted about OSHA’s regulations. Here’s the link:
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owasrch.search_form?p_doc_type=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_toc_level=1&p_keyvalue=Date_of_Publication
Also, if you’re wondering what the employer’s responsibilities are, OSHA has a resource you can use at this link: https://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/employer-responsibility.html. OSHA also provides resources that include:
- Consultation – OSHA provides free and confidential services to help you improve your health and safety programs and correct hazards.
- Instruction – OSHA also provides training classes/courses. For class locations visit http://www.osha.gov/dte/edcenters/index.html.
- Publications – various resources that you can get online at www.osha.gov.
- Partnership – OSHA works with employers and employees to help eliminate serious workplace hazards and obtain a high level of worker safety and health.
So why should you bother keeping up with OSHA requirements? Well, remember, OSHA conducts unannounced inspections. (Here’s a link to their OSHA Inspections Fact Sheet: https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-inspections.pdf).
If you’re found in violation you will be issued citations and possibly fines. Those fines and penalties range from $7,000 for each serious violation and up to $70,000 for each willful or repeated violation. So you see, it’s definitely worthwhile to keep up with OSHA requirements. After all, it’s all about safety and keeping your business open.
For more information about OSHA visit https://www.osha.gov. For more information about shade structures, drop screens and awnings, contact American Awning & Blind Co. today. You can also visit us at http://americanawningabc.com. You can also call us if you have any questions at 800-654-5933. Or email us at info@americanawningabc.com.