OSHA is a four letter word!

[goodmichael]

I stated in another post that I had just completed a 30 hour OSHA class this last week. This class was sponsored by the Texas Department of Insurance. As part of the class, I was able to speak directly to a compliance investigator. He stated that OSHA has to receive a complaint for the agency to initiate an investigation. That complaint can come from an employee, a person who observes an unsafe situation, or from a required report such as a fatality or a person injured on the job that requires the injured worker to be admitted to a hospital. He stated that all rules and requirements apply to the towing and recovery industry. 

Transportation is the number one leader in fatal occurrences/accidents in the workplace. 

In the towing and recovery industry, I believe record keeping on training and education is where leadership sets themselves up for failure. 

Do you have documented records on the training your staff receives? 

This includes use of PPE. Do you know what PPE you are legally required to provide? Do you know what PPE is not your legal responsibility? Are there disciplinary consequences for employees who fail to wear required PPE? 

Do you have specific policies and procedures for working in a situation with live traffic? Have your employees received training on working in live traffic? Are they practicing these safe operating protocols?

One item I did not think about was a Heat Plan. Did you know that you are required to provide your employees with water? Are your employees given training on the symptoms of heat related illness?

Do you have a training and education file on each of your employees? 

OSHA fines start at 14,000.00 per violation. Are you prepared? 

 

Edited June 27, 2022 by goodmichael

[Towman92266]

This is really great information, thanks for sharing. I would love to attend a "Live" 30 hour class.