OSHA Inspections: What to Expect

Why OSHA Conducts Inspections

OSHA inspections help ensure safe workplaces. They happen for several reasons, in this order of priority:

1. Imminent Danger - When there's a reasonable certainty of death or serious physical harm
2. Catastrophes and Fatal Accidents - Any work-related fatality or incident that hospitalizes three or more employees
3. Worker Complaints - When workers report unsafe or unhealthy conditions
4. Referrals - From other government agencies, individuals, organizations, or the media
5. Programmed Inspections - Targeted at high-hazard industries, workplaces, or occupations
6. Follow-up Inspections - To ensure previously cited violations have been fixed

What Happens During an Inspection

1. Arrival and Credentials

• The inspector arrives at your worksite
• They present official credentials (never proceed without seeing these)
• They ask to meet with an employer representative

2. Opening Conference

• The inspector explains why they're there and what the inspection will cover
• Both employer and employee representatives can attend
• The inspector will explain your rights

3. The Walkaround

• The inspector tours the workplace looking for hazards
• Employer and employee representatives can accompany the inspector
• The inspector may:
  • Take photographs or videos
  • Use monitoring equipment to measure hazards
  • Examine records
  • Interview employees privately
  • Point out some hazards that can be corrected immediately

4. Closing Conference

• The inspector discusses their findings with the employer
• They explain possible citations and penalties
• They discuss timeframes for correcting any identified hazards
• Employees or their representatives may attend a separate closing conference

Your Rights During an Inspection

As a worker, you have the right to:

• Request an inspection if you believe there are hazards
• Have a representative participate in the inspection
• Talk privately with the inspector
• Find out about inspection results and participate in meetings
• Object to the date set for violation correction
• Be free from retaliation for exercising your rights

Possible Outcomes

Citations

• Describe OSHA requirements that were violated
• List proposed penalties
• Give a deadline for correcting the hazard

Types of Violations

1. Other-Than-Serious - Directly relates to safety but probably wouldn't cause death or serious harm
2. Serious - Hazard that could cause injury or illness that would most likely result in death or serious physical harm
3. Willful - Employer knowingly violated the law or acted with plain indifference to worker safety
4. Repeat - Same or similar violation found in a previous inspection
5. Failure to Abate - Prior violation that wasn't corrected by the deadline

Penalties

Penalties depend on the violation type and can range from a few thousand dollars to over $100,000 for severe cases.

What to Do During an Inspection

For Workers

• Be honest with the inspector
• Point out hazards if asked
• Explain your job tasks if questioned
• Know you can speak privately with the inspector
• Understand you're protected from retaliation

For Crew Leaders/Supervisors

• Cooperate with the inspector
• Have safety documentation ready
• Be honest about conditions
• Take notes during the inspection
• Ask questions if you don't understand something

After the Inspection

• Employers must post citations at or near the place of violation
• Citations include deadlines for correcting hazards
• Employers can contest citations
• Workers can contest the time allowed for correction if they believe it's too long