Small Business Handbook

Small Business Safety and

Health Management Series

OSHA 2209-02R 2005
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and

healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role

is to promote the safety and health of America’s

working men and women by setting and enforcing

standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging

continual improvement in workplace safety and

health.

About this Handbook

This handbook is provided to owners, proprietors and managers of small businesses by the

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA), an agency of the U.S. Department of

Labor. For additional copies of this publication,

write to the U.S. Government Printing Office,

(GPO), Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop

SDE, 732 N. Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC

20401, or call the OSHA Publications Office at (202)

693-1888, or fax (202) 693-2498 for ordering information. Please note that the entire text of the

Small Business Handbook is available on OSHA’s

website at http://www.osha.gov/Publications/

osha2209.pdf.

The handbook should help small business employers meet the legal requirements imposed by

the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the

Act), and achieve an in-compliance status before an

OSHA inspection. An excellent resource to accompany this information is OSHA’s Safety and Health

Program Management Guidelines, (54 Federal

Register 3904-3916, January 26, 1989), also available on OSHA’s website.

This handbook is not a legal interpretation of the

provisions of the Act and does not place any additional requirements on employers or employees.

Employers cannot be cited under the General Duty

Clause in Section 5(a)(1) of the Act for failure to follow recommendations in this handbook.

The materials in this handbook are based upon

Federal OSHA standards and other requirements in

effect at the time of publication and upon generally

accepted principles and activities within the job

safety and health field. They should be useful to

small business owners or managers and can be

adapted easily to individual establishments.

It is important to point out that 24 states, Puerto

Rico and the Virgin Islands operate their own

OSHA-approved safety and health programs under

Section 18 of the Act. While the programs in these

State Plan States may differ in some respects from

Federal OSHA, this handbook can be used by

employers in any state because the standards

imposed by State Plan States must be at least as

effective as Federal OSHA standards. A list of

states that operate their own safety and health programs can be found on OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov.

Material in this publication is in the public

domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially,

without permission. Source credit is requested but

not required.

This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request by voice

phone (202) 693-1999 or teletypewriter (TTY) (877)

889-5627.

Please Note: The small business employer seeking

information on procurement or contracting with the

Department of Labor or OSHA should contact the

Department of Labor’s Office of Small Business

Programs, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room C2318, Washington, DC 20210.
Small Business Handbook

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

U.S. Department of Labor

OSHA 2209-02R

2005

U S Department of Labor

www.osha.gov
PREFACE 4

Office of Small Business Assistance 4

Cooperative Programs 4

State Plans 4

Office of Training and Education 4

OSHA’s Website 5

Safety and Health Add Value 5

INTRODUCTION: The Value of a Safety and Health Management System 6

A Profit and Loss Statement 6

Developing a Profitable Strategy for Handling Occupational Safety and Health 6

A FOUR-POINTWORKPLACE PROGRAM: The Basis of a Plan 8

Using the Four-Point Program 8

MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT AND EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT 8

WORKSITE ANALYSIS 9

HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL 9

TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES, SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS 10

DocumentingYour Activities 11

Safety and Health Recordkeeping 11

INJURY/ILLNESS RECORDS 11

EXPOSURE RECORDS AND OTHERS 12

STARTING A SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Creating a Plan 13

Decide to Start Now 13

Designating Responsibility 13

Ask for Help 13

Organize the Workplace 14

Start Gathering Specific Facts About Your Situation 14

Establish a Four-Point Safety and Health Program 15

Develop and Implement Your Action Plan 15

SELF-INSPECTION 17

Self-Inspection Scope 17

Self-Inspection Checklists 18

EMPLOYER POSTING 18

RECORDKEEPING 18

SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM 18

MEDICAL SERVICES AND FIRST AID 19

FIRE PROTECTION 19

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING 20

GENERALWORK ENVIRONMENT 20

WALKWAYS 21

FLOOR ANDWALL OPENINGS 21

STAIRS AND STAIRWAYS 22

ELEVATED SURFACES 22

EXITING OR EGRESS - EVACUATION 22

EXIT DOORS 23

PORTABLE LADDERS 23

HAND TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT 24

PORTABLE (POWER OPERATED) TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT 24

ABRASIVEWHEEL EQUIPMENT GRINDERS 24

POWDER-ACTUATEDTOOLS 25

MACHINE GUARDING 25

LOCKOUT/TAGOUT PROCEDURES 26

WELDING, CUTTING AND BRAZING 27

COMPRESSORS AND COMPRESSED AIR 28

Contents
COMPRESSORS/AIR RECEIVERS 28

COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS 29

HOIST AND AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT 29

INDUSTRIALTRUCKS - FORKLIFTS 29

SPRAYING OPERATIONS 30

ENTERING CONFINED SPACES 30

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS 31

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS 32

HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL EXPOSURE 33

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES COMMUNICATION 34

ELECTRICAL 35

NOISE 37

FUELING 37

IDENTIFICATION OF PIPING SYSTEMS 37

MATERIALS HANDLING 38

TRANSPORTING EMPLOYEES AND MATERIALS 38

CONTROL OF HARMFUL SUBSTANCES BY VENTILATION 38

SANITIZING EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING 39

TIRE INFLATION 39

ASSISTANCE IN SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR SMALL BUSINESSES 40

OSHA Assistance 40

OSHA’S OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE 40

ON-SITE CONSULTATION 40

OTHER COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS 41

VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAMS (VPP) 42

OSHA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (OSPP) 42

OSHA ALLIANCE PROGRAM 42

States with Approved Plans 42

OSHA Publications 42

Other Sources of Assistance 43

VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAMS PARTICIPANTS’ ASSOCIATION (VPPPA) 43

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS 43

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH) 44

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CARRIERS AND OTHER INSURANCE COMPANIES 44

TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND EMPLOYER GROUPS 44

TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYEE GROUPS 44

THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL AND LOCAL CHAPTERS 44

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 44

SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONSULTATION 44

YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY 45

FINANCINGWORKPLACE IMPROVEMENT 45

ADDITIONALWEB PAGES OF INTERESTTO SMALL BUSINESSES 45

Appendix A: Overall Action PlanWorksheet 46

Appendix B: Model Policy Statements 48

Appendix C: Codes of Safe Practices 49

Appendix D: OSHA Job Safety and Health Standards, Regulations

and Requirements 50

Appendix E: Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA) 51

OSHA Regional Offices 52

OSHA’s Non-Retaliation Policy inside back cover
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

4 PREFACE

American employers and workers want safe and

healthful places in which to work. They want

everyone on the job to go home whole and healthy

each day. Determined to make that dream possible, OSHA is committed to assuring – so far as possible – that every working man and woman in the

nation has safe and healthful working conditions.

OSHA believes that providing workers with a safe

workplace is central to their ability to enjoy health,

security and the opportunity to achieve the

American dream.

OSHA seeks to cut unnecessary rules, regulations and red tape. It is eliminating thousands of

pages of outdated regulations and continues to

rewrite standards in plain English. OSHA is paring

down its regulatory agenda so that it more accurately reflects realistic goals that best serve the

needs of American employers and employees.

Confronted by the realities and demands to

keep pace with the workforce and problems of the

future, OSHA is developing new strategies to

reduce occupational fatalities, injuries and illnesses. Coupled with strong, effective and fair enforcement, OSHA strives to provide improved outreach,

education and compliance assistance to America’s

employers and employees.

Office of Small Business Assistance

OSHA wants to provide quality service to our

small business customers. In October 2002, OSHA

created the Office of Small Business Assistance to

provide small business direction, to facilitate information sharing and to help in finding and achieving

regulatory compliance. The office also works to

educate small businesses on using up-to-date tools

and materials, and facilitates opportunities to comment on OSHA’s regulatory agenda. The Office of

Small Business Assistance maintains OSHA’s specialized small business web pages found at http://

www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/index.html.

The Office of Small Business Assistance can be

contacted by telephone at (202) 693-2220 or by

writing to: Director, Office of Small Business

Assistance, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room

N-3700, Washington, DC 20210.

Cooperative Programs

Years of experience show us that voluntary collaborative relationships between OSHA, the private

sector and other government entities lead to

improved safety and health. As a result, OSHA

continues to expand its cooperative programs

which currently include the free and confidential

Consultation Program, the Voluntary Protection

Programs, the Strategic Partnership Program and

OSHA’s newest addition, Alliances. For a more

detailed description of each of these programs,

please see pages 40- 42.

Small businesses are encouraged to investigate

the full array of cooperative programs offered by

OSHA. Participation can be on an individual company basis or through an industry association.

Detailed information on each program is also available on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov, by contacting any OSHA office, or by calling (800) 321-

OSHA.

State Plans

OSHA has important partnerships with the 24

states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands that operate their own OSHA-approved safety and health

programs. State workplace safety and health programs frequently lead the way in developing innovative approaches to making America’s workplaces

safer and healthier.

States that operate their own worker safety and

health plans must provide worker protection that is

“at least as effective as” the Federal program.

However, because their standards and other procedures may vary, businesses should become familiar with their state regulations and agencies. See

OSHA’s website for a list of State Plan States.

Office of Training and Education

OSHA’s Office of Training and Education

provides training and instruction in all facets of

occupational safety and health. OSHA’s Training

Institute, located in Arlington Heights, IL, provides

training for OSHA compliance safety and health

officers as well as for the general public and safety

and health staff from other Federal agencies. In

addition to OSHA’s Training Institute, there are 32

additional education sites located throughout the

country. These OSHA education centers operate in

conjunction with universities, colleges and learning

centers to conduct OSHA courses for the private

sector and other Federal agencies, making safety

and health training and education more accessible
Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

5

to those who need it. There are tuition fees for private sector students. For more information about

OSHA’s Training Institute, OSHA’s education centers, or to obtain training catalogs with course

schedules, write the OSHA Training Institute, 2020

South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL

60005 or call (847) 297-4810. The information is

also fully accessible on the Internet at

www.osha.gov.

OSHA’s Website

OSHA has made every effort to continuously

expand and improve its website. OSHA’s extensive

website provides employers and employees with

practical, easy-to-understand and up-to-date guidance on regulations, compliance assistance and

learning how to identify and control hazards. Each

OSHA cooperative program has individual web

pages describing program elements and highlighting successes of the participants. Several pages

are devoted to small business, technical links, news

items, publication lists and an inventory of compliance assistance tools, including expert advisors

and eTools. eTools are “stand-alone” interactive,

web-based training tools on occupational safety

and health topics. Regulations, standards, directives and interpretations relating to OSHA can be

found as well. There is a Spanish version of the

OSHA website, and many posters and some publications are also available in Spanish.

OSHA’s web pages include MyOSHA, which

allows users to create their own personalized

OSHA web page with customized content and

links. Quick Start is another tool on OSHA’s

Compliance Assistance web page that allows the

user to identify many of the major OSHA requirements and guidance materials that apply to their

individual workplaces or industry sectors.

Through its website, OSHA invites citizens to email questions that can be routed to appropriate

agency officials for response. Any communication

conducted via the “Contact Us” link on the OSHA

website is considered an informational exchange

rather than an official communication with the

Department of Labor. For an official response to a

question or concern, inquiries should be submitted

in writing.

If you would like to receive regular updates

from OSHA about new programs, tools, best practices and other useful information, subscribe to the

agency’s e-news memo, QuickTakes. QuickTakes is

issued twice monthly to subscribers and is always

available online. You can subscribe to OSHA’s

QuickTakes at www.osha.gov.

Safety and Health Add Value

Addressing safety and health issues in the workplace saves the employer money and adds value to

the business. Recent estimates place the business

costs associated with occupational injuries at close

to $170 billion–expenditures that come straight out

of company profits.

When workers stay whole and healthy, the

direct cost-savings to businesses include:

■ lower workers’ compensation insurance costs;

■ reduced medical expenditures;

■ smaller expenditures for return-to-work

programs;

■ fewer faulty products;

■ lower costs for job accommodations for

injured workers;

■ less money spent for overtime benefits.

Safety and health also make big reductions in

indirect costs, due to:

■ increased productivity;

■ higher quality products;

■ increased morale;

■ better labor/management relations;

■ reduced turnover;

■ better use of human resources.

Employees and their families benefit from

safety and health because:

■ their incomes are protected;

■ their family lives are not hindered by injury;

■ their stress is not increased.

Simply put, protecting people on the job is in

everyone’s best interest–our economy, our communities, our fellow workers and our families. Safety

and health add value to businesses, workplaces

and lives.
A Profit and Loss Statement

As a small business owner, you are, by nature,

a risk taker. You wager your business acumen

against larger, perhaps more heavily financed corporate groups and other free-spirited, self-employed individuals like yourself. There is excitement

and challenge in such a venture, but to succeed

you need good management information, an ability

to be a good manager of people and the intelligence and inner strength to make the right decisions.

Thousands of workers die each year and many,

many more suffer injury or illness from conditions

at work. But how often does an owner or manager

like you actually see or even hear about work-related deaths, serious injuries or illnesses in the businesses with which you are familiar? How often has

your business actually sustained this type of loss?

In most small businesses, the answer is rarely.

For this reason, many owners or managers do not

understand why there is controversy about the

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA), job safety and health standards, inspections, citations, etc.

But others have learned why. Unfortunately,

they have experienced a loss. These owner/managers will tell you that it is too late to do anything

once a serious accident happens. They have learned that prevention is the only real way to avoid this

loss.

Reducing losses is a goal that you as an owner

or manager share with us in OSHA. While we may

see this goal in a slightly different light, it remains

a common bond.

We have learned from small employers, like

you, that you place a high value on the well-being

of your employees. Like many small businesses,

you may employ family members and personal

acquaintances. And, if you don’t know your employees before they are hired, then chances are

that the very size of your workplace will promote

the closeness and concern for one another that

small businesses value.

Assuming that you are committed to safe and

healthful work practices, OSHA wants to work with

you to prevent all losses. We believe that, when you

make job safety and health a real part of your everyday operations, you will not lose in the long run.

Investing in safety and health activity now will better

enable you to avoid possible losses in the future.

Developing a Profitable Strategy for

Handling Occupational Safety and Health

Nobody wants accidents to happen in his or her

business. A serious fire, a permanent injury, or the

death of an employee or owner can cause the loss

of profit or even an entire business. To prevent

such losses, you don’t have to turn your business

upside down. You may not have to spend a lot of

money, either. You do need to use good business

sense and apply recognized prevention principles.

There are reasons why accidents happen.

Something goes wrong somewhere. It may take

some thought, and maybe the help of friends or

other trained people, to figure out what went

wrong, but an accident always has a cause–a reason why. Once you know why an accident happened, it is possible to prevent future incidents.

You need some basic facts and perhaps some help

from others who already know some of the answers. You also need a plan–a plan to prevent

accidents.

Not all dangers at your worksite depend on an

accident to cause harm, of course. Worker exposure to toxic chemicals or harmful levels of noise

or radiation may happen in conjunction with routine work as well as by accident. You may not realize the extent of the exposure or harm that you and

your employees face. The effect may not be immediate. You need a plan that includes prevention of

these health hazard exposures and accidents. You

need a safety and health management system.

It is not difficult to develop such a plan. Basically, your plan should address the types of accidents and health hazard exposures that could happen in your workplace. Because each workplace is

different, your program should address your specific needs and requirements.

There are four basic elements to all good safety

and health programs. These are as follows:

1. Management Commitment and Employee

Involvement. The manager or management team

leads the way, by setting policy, assigning and supporting responsibility, setting an example and involving employees.

2.Worksite Analysis. The worksite is continually analyzed to identify all existing and potential hazards.

3. Hazard Prevention and Control. Methods to pre6 INTRODUCTION: The Value of a Safety and Health Management System

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
7

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

It will certainly give you a way to express and document your good faith and commitment to protecting your workers’ health and safety.

This approach usually does not involve large

costs. Developing a health and safety protection

plan does not have to be expensive and generally

does not require additional employees, especially

in smaller businesses. Safety and health can be

integrated into your other business functions with

modest effort on your part.

The key to the success of a safety and health

plan is to see it as a part of your business operation and to see it reflected in your day-to-day operations. As you implement the plan and incorporate

it into your business culture, safety and health

awareness will become second nature to you and

your employees.

The next section provides short descriptions

and illustrations of each element. Since most

employers, like you, are pressed for time, these

descriptions will assist you in getting started on

your own approach.

vent or control existing or potential hazards are put

in place and maintained.

4.Training for Employees, Supervisors and

Managers. Managers, supervisors and employees

are trained to understand and deal with worksite

hazards.

Regardless of the size of your business, you

should use each of these elements to prevent workplace accidents and possible injuries and illnesses.

Developing a workplace program following

these four points is a key step in protecting you

and your workers’ safety and health. If you already

have a program, reviewing it in relation to these

elements should help you improve what you have.

Following this four-point approach to safety and

health in your business may also improve efficiency. It may help you reduce insurance claims and

other costs. While having a safety and health plan

based on these four elements does not guarantee

compliance with OSHA standards, the approach

will help you toward full compliance and beyond.
The Four-Point Workplace Program described

here is based upon the Safety and Health Program

Management Guidelines issued by OSHA in

January 1989. (For a free copy of the guidelines,

go to OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov, write to

OSHA Publications, U.S. Department of Labor, P.O.

Box 37535, Washington, DC 200013-7535, or call

(202) 693-1888.) Although voluntary, these guidelines represent OSHA’s policy on what every worksite should have in place to protect workers from

occupational hazards. The guidelines are based

heavily on OSHA’s experience with its Voluntary

Protection Programs (VPP), which recognize excellence in workplace safety and health management.

For more information on these guidelines and

OSHA’s cooperative programs, contact OSHA’s

Office of Small Business Assistance, U.S.

Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue,

NW, Room N-3700, Washington, DC 20210, (202)

693-2220.

Using the Four-Point Program

As you review this publication, we encourage

you to use the Action Plan Worksheet in Appendix

A to jot down the things you want to do to make

your workplace safe for your employees. Noting

those actions as you go along will make it easier

to assemble the total plan you need.

MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT AND

EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT

As the owner or manager of a small business,

your attitude toward job safety and health will be

reflected by your employees. If you are not interested in preventing employee injury and illness,

your employees will probably not give safety and

health much thought either.

Therefore, it is essential that you demonstrate at

all times your personal concern for employee safety

and health, and the priority you place on them in

your workplace. Your policy must be clear. Only you

can show its importance through your own actions.

You can demonstrate the depth of your commitment by involving your employees in planning and

carrying out your efforts. If you seriously involve

your employees in identifying and resolving safety

and health problems, they will bring their unique

insights and energy to achieving the goals and

objectives of your program. The men and women

who work for you are among the most valuable

assets you have. Their safety, health and goodwill

are essential to the success of your business. Having them cooperate with you in protecting their

safety and health not only helps to keep them

healthy–it makes your job easier.

Here are some actions to consider:

■ Post your policy on worker safety and health

next to the Job Safety and Health Protection

Poster where all employees can see it. (See

Appendix B, Model Policy Statements.)

■ Hold a meeting with all employees to communicate your safety and health policy, and discuss your objectives for safety and health.

■ Make sure that your support is visible by getting personally involved in the activities that

are part of your safety and health program.

For example, personally review all inspection

and accident reports and ensure that followup occurs when needed.

■ Ensure that you, your managers and your

supervisors follow all safety requirements that

apply to all employees, even if you are only in

an area briefly. If, for instance, you require a

hard hat, safety glasses and/or safety shoes in

an area, wear them yourself when you are in

that area.

■ Take advantage of your employees’ specialized knowledge and encourage them to buy

into the program by having them make inspections, conduct safety training, or investigate accidents.

■ Make clear assignments of responsibility for

every part of your safety and health program,

and make sure everyone understands them.

The more people who are involved, the better.

A good rule of thumb is to assign safety and

health responsibilities in the same way you

assign production responsibilities. Make it a

special part of everyone’s job to work safely.

■ Give those with safety and health responsibility enough people, time, training, money and

authority to get the job done.

■ Don’t forget your safety and health program

8

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

A FOUR-POINTWORKPLACE PROGRAM: The Basis of a Plan
9

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

ards. The checklists (at pages 18-39) provide a

starting point. Your state consultant can assist

you in establishing an effective system.

■ Make sure your employees feel comfortable in

alerting you or another member of management when they see things that look dangerous or out of place.

■ Learn how to conduct a thorough investigation when things go wrong. This will help you

develop ways to prevent recurrences. Extensive information can be found on OSHA’s

website under “Accident Investigation” in the

index.

■ Review several years of injury or illness records to identify patterns that can help you

devise strategies to improve your safety and

health program. Periodically review several

months of experience to determine if any new

patterns are developing.

HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Once you have identified your existing and

potential hazards, you are ready to implement the

systems that prevent or control those hazards.

Your state Consultation Program can help you do

this. Whenever possible, hazards should be eliminated. Sometimes that can be done through substitution of a less toxic material or engineering controls. When you cannot eliminate hazards, systems

should be established to control them.

Here are some actions to consider:

■ Set up safe work procedures based on an

analysis of the hazards in your workplace and

ensure that employees understand and follow

them. It is a good idea to involve employees

in the analysis that results in those procedures.

(See Appendix C, Codes of Safe Practices.)

■ Be ready to enforce the rules for safe work

procedures. Ask your employees to help you

establish a disciplinary system that will be fair

and understood by everyone.

■ Where necessary, ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is used and that your employees know why they need it, how to use it

and how to maintain it.

after you make assignments; make sure the

job gets done. Recognize and reward those

who do well and correct those who don’t.

■ At least once a year, review what you have

accomplished in meeting your objectives and

reevaluate whether you need new objectives

or program revisions.

■ Institute an accountability system where all

personnel will be held accountable for not following work rules designed to promote workplace safety and health.

WORKSITE ANALYSIS

It is your responsibility to know what items or

substances you have in your workplace that could

hurt your workers. Worksite analysis is a group of

processes that helps you make sure that you know

what you need to keep your workers safe. For help

in getting started with these processes, you can call

on your state on-site Consultation Program and

have an experienced health and safety professional

visit your workplace for free and confidentially.

Locations for each state are listed on OSHA’s website. Also, OSHA’s booklet, Job Hazard Analysis,

may be helpful. (See OSHA Publications at page

42 for ordering information.)

Here are some actions to consider:

■ Request a consultation visit from your state

on-site Consultation Program covering both

safety and health to get a full survey of the

hazards that exist in your workplace and those

that could develop. You can also contract for

such services from expert private consultants

if you prefer.

■ Establish a way to get professional advice

when you make changes to procedures or

equipment, to ensure that the changes are not

introducing new hazards into your workplace.

Find ways to keep current on newly recognized hazards in your industry.

■ Periodically review with employees each job,

analyzing it step-by-step to see if there are any

hidden hazards in the equipment or procedures.

■ Set up a self-inspection system to check your

hazard controls and evaluate any new haz-
■ Provide for regular equipment maintenance to

prevent breakdowns that can create hazards.

Ensure that preventive and regular maintenance are tracked to completion.

■ Plan for emergencies, including fire and natural disasters. Conduct frequent drills to ensure that all employees know what to do

under stressful conditions.

■ Ask your state consultant to help develop a

medical program that fits your worksite. Involve nearby doctors and emergency facilities

by inviting them to visit your workplace and

help you plan the best way to avoid injuries

and illness during emergency situations.

■ Ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters

of employee health. This does not mean that

you must provide health care, but you must

be prepared to deal with medical emergencies

or health problems connected to your workplace.

To fulfill the above requirements, consider the

following:

■ Develop an emergency medical procedure to

handle injuries, transport ill or injured workers

and notify medical facilities. Posting emergency numbers is a good idea.

■ Survey the medical facilities near your place

of business and make arrangements for them

to handle routine and emergency cases. Cooperative agreements may be possible with

nearby larger workplaces that have on-site

medical personnel and/or facilities.

■ Ensure that your procedure for reporting

injuries and illnesses is understood by all

employees.

■ Perform routine walkthroughs of the worksite

to identify hazards and to track identified hazards until they are corrected.

■ If your business is remote from medical facilities, you are required to ensure that adequately trained personnel are available to render

first aid. First-aid supplies must be readily

available for emergency use. Arrangements

for this training can be made through your

local Red Cross chapter, your insurance carrier, your local safety council, and others.

■ Check battery charging stations, maintenance

operations, laboratories, heating and ventilating operations and any corrosive materials

areas to make sure the required eyewash facilities and showers are operational.

■ Consider retaining a local doctor or an occupational health nurse on a part-time or asneeded basis for advice on medical and first

aid planning.

TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES, SUPERVISORS

AND MANAGERS

An effective accident prevention program requires proper job performance from everyone in

the workplace.

As an owner or manager, you must ensure that

all employees know about the materials and equipment they work with, known hazards and how to

control the hazards.

Each employee needs to know that:

• no employee is expected to undertake a job

until he or she has received job instructions

on how to do it properly and is authorized to

perform that job. Also,

• no employee should undertake a job that

appears unsafe.

You may be able to combine safety and health

training with other training, depending upon the

types of hazards in your workplace.

Here are some actions to consider:

■ Ask your state consultant to recommend training for your worksite. The consultant may be

able to conduct training while he or she is

there.

■ Make sure you have trained your employees

on every potential hazard that they could be

exposed to and how to protect themselves.

Then verify that they really understand what

you taught them.

■ Pay particular attention to your new employees and to employees who are moving to new

10

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
11

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

INJURY/ILLNESS RECORDS

OSHA rules for recording and reporting occupational injuries and illnesses affect 1.4 million establishments. Small businesses with 10 or fewer

employees throughout the year are exempt from

most of the requirements of the OSHA recordkeeping rules, as are a number of specific industries

in the retail, service, finance, insurance and real

estate sectors that are classified as low-hazard.

Detailed information about OSHA recordkeeping

rules can be found at http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/index.html or refer to 29 Code of Federal

Regulations (CFR) 1904 for the specific exceptions.

OSHA recordkeeping can help the small business employer evaluate the success of safety and

health activities. Success can be measured by a

reduction or elimination of employee injuries and

illnesses during a calendar year.

The OSHA recordkeeping system has five steps:

1. Obtain a report on every injury or job-related illness requiring medical treatment (other than basic

first aid).

2. Record each injury or job-related illness on

OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and

Illnesses) using the instructions provided.

3. Prepare a supplementary record of occupational

injuries and illnesses for recordable cases on OSHA

Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report).

4. Every year, prepare an annual summary using

OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related

Injuries and Illnesses). Post it no later than

February 1, and keep it posted until May 1. A good

place to post it is next to the OSHA Workplace

Poster.

5. Retain these records for at least five years.

Periodically review these records to look for any

patterns or repeat situations. These records can

help you to identify high-risk areas that require

your immediate attention.

Basic OSHA recordkeeping requirements

address only injuries and illnesses, so you might

consider expanding your own records to include all

jobs. Because they are learning new operations, they are more likely to get hurt.

■ Train your supervisors to understand all the

hazards faced by the employees and how to

reinforce training with quick reminders and

refreshers, or with disciplinary action if necessary.

■ Make sure that your top management staff

understand their safety and health responsibilities and how to hold subordinate supervisory

employees accountable for theirs.

DocumentingYour Activities

Document your activities in all elements of the

Four-Point Workplace Program. Essential records,

including those legally required for workers’ compensation, insurance audits and government inspections must be maintained as long as the actual

need exists or as required by law. Keeping records

of your activities, such as policy statements,

training sessions, safety and health meetings,

information distributed to employees, and medical arrangements made, is greatly encouraged.

Maintaining essential records also will demonstrate

sound business management as supporting proof

for credit applications, for showing “good faith” in

reducing any proposed penalties from OSHA

inspections, for insurance and other audits, and aid

efficient review of your current safety and health

activities for better control of your operations and

to plan improvements.

Safety and Health Recordkeeping

Records of sales, costs, profits and losses are

essential to all successful businesses. They enable

the owner or manager to learn from experience

and to make corrections for future operations.

Records of accidents, related injuries, illnesses and

property losses can serve the same purpose, if they

are used in the same way. The primary purpose of

OSHA-required recordkeeping is to retain information about accidents that have happened to help

determine the causes and develop procedures to

prevent a recurrence.
incidents, including those where no injury or illness

resulted. This information may assist you in pinpointing unsafe conditions and/or procedures.

Safety councils, insurance carriers and others can

assist you in instituting such a system.

The employer is required to report to OSHA

within eight hours of the accident, all work-related

fatalities or multiple hospitalizations that involve

three or more employees.

Even if your business is exempt from routine

recordkeeping requirements, you may be selected

by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or

a related state agency for inclusion in an annual

sample survey. You will receive a letter directly from

the agency with instructions, if you are selected.

EXPOSURE RECORDS AND OTHERS

In addition to injury/illness records, certain

OSHA standards require records on the exposure

of employees to toxic substances and hazardous

exposures, physical examination reports and

employment records.

As you identify hazards, you will be able to

determine whether these requirements apply to

your workplace. Your records should be used in

conjunction with your control procedures and with

your self-inspection activity. They should not be

considered merely as bookkeeping.

12

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
13

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

Designating Responsibility

You must decide who in your company is the

most appropriate person to manage your safety

and health system. Who can ensure that the program will become an integral part of your business? In many cases it will be you, the owner.

Sometimes it will be a plant manager or key supervisor. It could even be an engineer, personnel specialist, or other staff member.

Whoever you choose should be committed to

workplace safety and health, have the time to develop and manage the program, and be willing to

take on the responsibility and accountability that

goes with operating an effective program. The

individual will need your full cooperation and support, but the ultimate responsibility for safety and

health in your workplace rests on you.

Ask for Help

Federal occupational safety and health law

allows a state to develop and operate its own occupational safety and health program in place of the

Federal OSHA program. It is possible that the regulatory aspect of the law (setting of mandatory

minimum standards and conducting inspections of

workplaces) is being operated by your state government as opposed to Federal OSHA.

One of the first things to learn is which branch

of government, Federal or state, has current jurisdiction over your business. If you are not sure

what agency is responsible for administering workplace safety and health in your state, contact the

nearest OSHA Area Office to find out. (See

www.osha.gov). You will need certain Federal

OSHA publications (or comparable state publications) for use in your safety and health activities,

such as:

■ Job Safety and Health Protection - OSHA

3165. You must display the Federal or state

OSHA poster in your workplace. This poster

is also available in Spanish (Job Safety and

Health Protection OSHA 3167).

■ OSHA standards that apply to your business.

You need to have a copy of all OSHA standards that apply to your type of business

available for reference. (See Appendix D.)

You can use this handbook to create a basic

plan of action for starting a safety and health

management system at your business. The action

plan described in this section provides the most

direct route to getting yourself organized to complete the Four-Point Program outlined in the previous section.

Decide to Start Now

The time to start your safety and health management system is now. You have a better picture

of what constitutes a good safety and health program. Now you can address the practical concerns

of putting these elements together and coming up

with a program to suit your workplace.

Hopefully, you have been taking notes for your

action plan as you reviewed the preceding description of the Four-Point Program. You should

now be ready to decide what you want to accomplish and to determine what steps are necessary

to achieve your goals. Next you need to determine how and when each step will be done and

who will do it.

Your plan should consider your company’s

immediate needs and provide for ongoing, longlasting worker protection. Once your plan is

designed, it is important to follow through and

use it in the workplace. You will then have a program to anticipate, identify and eliminate conditions or practices that could result in injuries and

illnesses.

If you have difficulty deciding where to begin, a

phone call to your state Consultation Program will

help get you started. A state consultant will survey

your workplace for existing or potential hazards.

Then, if you request it, he or she will determine

what you need to make your safety and health program effective. The consultant will work with you

to develop a plan for making these improvements

and to keep your program effective.

Whether you choose to work with a consultant

or to develop your program yourself, many publications are available from your state on-site Consultation Program or from OSHA that spell out in

greater detail the steps you can take to create an

effective safety and health program for your workplace. The rewards for your efforts will be an efficient and productive workplace with a low level of

loss and injury.

STARTING A SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Creating a Plan
Standards are the regulations that OSHA uses

to inspect for compliance and should be the

baseline for your inspections in determining

what to do when hazards are identified. Most

businesses fall under OSHA’s General Industry

Standards. If you are involved with construction or maritime operations, you will need the

standards that apply to these classifications.

(In states with state-run occupational safety

and health programs, use the appropriate

state standards.)

■ Recordkeeping requirements and the necessary forms.

■ Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

You may want a copy of this legislation for

reference.

Organize the Workplace

Poor housekeeping can contribute to low

morale and sloppy work. Most safety action programs start with an intensive cleanup campaign in

all areas of the workplace.

Get rid of unecessary items; provide proper

waste containers; store flammables properly; make

sure exits are not blocked; mark aisles and passageways; provide adequate lighting, etc.

Get everyone involved and impress upon employees that you want to make your workplace

safer, more healthful and more efficient.

Start Gathering Specific Facts

About Your Situation

Before making changes in your safety and

health operations, you should gather information

about the current conditions and business practices

that comprise your safety and health program.

This information can help you identify problems

and determine what is needed to solve them.

Your workplace assessment should be conducted by the person responsible for your safety and

health management system and/or a professional

safety and health consultant. The assessment consists of two major activities:

1. A comprehensive safety and health survey of

your entire facility will identify any existing or

potential safety and health hazards. This initial survey should focus on evaluating workplace conditions with respect to safety and health regulations

and generally recognized safe and healthful work

practices. It should include checking on the use of

any hazardous materials, observing employee work

habits and practices, and discussing safety and

health problems with employees. See the SelfInspection Checklists (at pages 18-39), to help you

get a good start on creating this initial survey.

2. The second major activity is to assess your

existing safety and health program and identify

areas that work well and those that need improvement. You should gather as much information as

you can that relates to safety and health management in your workplace. You should include the

following in this review:

■ Safety and health activities. Examine ongoing

activities as well as those tried previously,

company policy statements, rules (both work

and safety), guidelines for proper work practices and procedures, and records of training

programs.

■ Equipment. List your major equipment, what

it is used for and where it is located. Special

attention should be given to inspection schedules, maintenance activities, and plant and

office layouts.

■ Employee capabilities. Make an alphabetical

list of all employees, showing the date hired,

their job descriptions, and experience and

training.

■ Accident and injury/illness history. Review

first-aid cases and workers’ compensation

insurance payments and awards, and review

your losses. Compare your insurance rate

with others in your group. Give special attention to recurring accidents, types of injuries,

etc.

After gathering facts, see if any major problem

areas emerge such as interruptions in your normal

operations, too many employees taking too much

time off due to illness or injury, too many damaged

products, etc. General help with this kind of problem identification can often be obtained from compensation carriers, local safety councils, trade asso14

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
15

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

Establish and regularly conduct a worksite

analysis. A successful safety and health program

depends on an accurate identification of all the hazards and potential hazards in your workplace. This

is an ongoing process that includes routine selfinspections.

Create systems and procedures to prevent and

control hazards identified through your worksite

analysis. OSHA standards can be helpful because

they address controls in order of effectiveness and

preference. The hierarchy of controls is engineering, administrative, work practice and PPE. Whenever feasible, engineering, administrative or work

practice controls should be instituted even if they

do not eliminate the hazard or reduce exposure.

Use of such controls in conjunction with PPE will

help reduce the hazard or exposure to the lowest

practical level. Where no standard exists, creative

problem-solving and consultant resources may

help you create effective controls. The basic formula for controlling workplace hazards, in order of

preference, includes:

■ Eliminating the hazard from the machine, the

method, the material or the facility.

■ Abating the hazard by limiting exposure or

controlling it at its source.

■ Training personnel to be aware of the hazard

and to follow safe work procedures to avoid it.

■ Prescribing PPE for protecting employees

against the hazard and ensuring that they not

only use it, but that they know how to use it

correctly.

Establish and provide ongoing training for

employees, supervisors and managers to ensure

that everyone at your worksite can recognize hazards and how to control them.

These points are crucial to a safe and healthful

workplace for you and your employees, making it

more difficult for accidents to occur and for workrelated health problems to develop.

Develop and Implement Your Action Plan

Developing an action plan to build a safety and

health program around the four points can serve as

a “road map” to take your program to where you

ciations, state agencies, major suppliers or similarly situated businesses in the same industry.

If you discover a major problem, see what can

be done to solve it. Once a problem is identified,

you can work on the corrective action or a plan to

control the problem. Take immediate action and

make a record of what you have done. Even if you

find no major problems, don’t stop there. Now it is

time to develop a comprehensive safety and health

program to avoid any major problems in the future.

Establish a Four-Point Safety and

Health Program

The success of any workplace safety and health

program depends on careful planning. This means

that you must take the time to analyze what you

want to accomplish and develop an action plan in

order to attain your goals. From this standpoint,

you can design a step-by-step process to take you

from the idea stage to an effective safety and

health management system.

The best way to create a safe and healthful

workplace is to institute the Four-Point Program

discussed at page 8 of this handbook.

Establish your management commitment and

involve your employees. No safety and health

program will work without this commitment and

involvement. The first step is to designate a person to

be responsible for your safety and health program.

Involve your employees as widely as possible

from the beginning. They are most in contact with

the potential and actual safety and health hazards

at your worksite and will have constructive input

on the development of your program. The ultimate

success of your safety and health program will

depend on their support.

Make sure your program assigns responsibility

and accountability to all employees in your organization. A good safety and health program makes it

clear that each and every employee, from you

through the supervisory levels to the line worker,

carries responsibility for his or her part of the program. Make safety and health duties clear and

hold every individual accountable for his or her

safety- and health-related duties.

Refer to the recommended actions to take in the

Worksite Analysis paragraph at page 9. These will

help start your program off on the right track. You

will be building the foundation for a successful

safety and health program.
want it to be. An action plan tells you what has to

be done, the logical order in which to do it, who is

responsible and where you want to be when you

finish. It describes problems and solutions, but is

not ironclad. An action plan can and should be

changed to correspond with changes in the workplace.

A good action plan has two parts:

1. A list of major changes or improvements to

make your safety and health program effective.

Each item should be prioritized, have a target date

for completion and identify who is responsible for

implementation.

2. A specific plan to implement each major change

or improvement, including what you want to

accomplish, the steps required, who will be

assigned to do what and a schedule for completion.

A worksheet to help you design an overall

action plan and describe specific action steps

appears in Appendix A.

Once a plan is established, put it into action,

beginning with the highest priority item. Ensure

that it is realistic, manageable and addresses the

steps you have planned for that item. A detailed

description of the steps required will help you keep

track of your progress. Keep in mind that you can

work on more than one item at a time and that priorities may change as other needs are identified or

as your company’s resources change.

Open communication with your employees is

crucial to the success of your efforts. Their cooperation depends on them understanding what the

safety and health program is all about, why it is

important to them and how it affects their work.

The more you do to involve them in the changes you

are making, the smoother your transition will be.

Putting your action plan into operation at your

workplace will be a major step toward implementing an effective safety and health program.

Remember, a safety and health program is a plan

put into practice. Keep your program on track by

periodically checking its progress and by calling on

a state consultant when you need assistance.

Any good management system requires periodic review. Take a careful look at each component of

your safety and health program to determine what

is working well and what changes are needed.

Once again, a state consultant can assist you in this

area. Any necessary improvements can be turned

into new safety and health objectives for the coming year. Developing new action plans to implement these improvements will continue progress

toward an effective safety and health program,

reduce your safety and health risks, and increase

efficiency and profit.

Remember that it is important to document

your activities. The best way to evaluate the success of your safety and health program is to have

documentation of what you have done, which provides guidance on how you can make it work even

better.

Technical assistance may be available to you as

a small business owner or manager through your

insurance carrier; your fellow businesspeople; suppliers of your durable equipment and raw materials; the local safety council; and many local, state

and Federal agencies, including the state on-site

Consultation Programs and closest OSHA Area

Office.

Establishing a quality safety and health management system will take time and involve some

resources, but you should be pleased with the

results. Employees will feel reassured because of

your commitment to their safety and health on the

job. You may save money through increased productivity and reduced workers’ compensation insurance costs. You may gain increased respect in

your community. The tangible and intangible rewards for a solid safety and health program far

outweigh the cost of an accident, injury or workplace fatality.

16

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
17

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

■ Building and Grounds Conditions – floors,

walls, ceilings, exits, stairs, walkways, ramps,

platforms, driveways, aisles.

■ Housekeeping Program – waste disposal,

tools, objects, materials, leakage and spillage,

cleaning methods, schedules, work areas,

remote areas, storage areas.

■ Electricity – equipment, switches, breakers,

fuses, switch-boxes, junctions, special fixtures,

circuits, insulation, extensions, tools, motors,

grounding, national electric code compliance.

■ Lighting – type, intensity, controls, conditions,

diffusion, location, glare and shadow control.

■ Heating and Ventilation – type, effectiveness,

temperature, humidity, controls, natural and

artificial ventilation and exhausting.

■ Machinery – points of operation, flywheels,

gears, shafts, pulleys, key ways, belts, couplings, sprockets, chains, frames, controls,

lighting for tools and equipment, brakes, exhausting, feeding, oiling, adjusting, maintenance, lockout/tagout, grounding, work space,

location, purchasing standards.

■ Personnel – training, including hazard identification training; experience; methods of checking machines before use; type of clothing;

PPE; use of guards; tool storage; work practices; methods for cleaning, oiling, or adjusting machinery.

■ Hand and Power Tools – purchasing standards, inspection, storage, repair, types, maintenance, grounding, use and handling.

■ Chemicals – storage, handling, transportation,

spills, disposals, amounts used, labeling, toxicity or other harmful effects, warning signs,

supervision, training, protective clothing and

equipment, hazard communication requirements.

■ Fire Prevention – extinguishers, alarms, sprinklers, smoking rules, exits, personnel assigned, separation of flammable materials and

dangerous operations, explosion-proof fixThe most widely accepted way to identify hazards is to conduct safety and health inspections

because the only way to be certain of an actual situation is to look at it directly from time to time.

Begin a program of self-inspection in your own

workplace. Self-inspection is essential if you are to

know where probable hazards exist and whether

they are under control.

This section includes checklists designed to

assist you in self-inspection fact-finding. The

checklists can give you some indication of where to

begin taking action to make your business safer

and more healthful for all of your employees.

These checklists are by no means all-inclusive

and not all of the checklists will apply to your business. You might want to start by selecting the

areas that are most critical to your business, then

expanding your self-inspection checklists over time

to fully cover all areas that pertain to your business. Remember that a checklist is a tool to help,

not a definitive statement of what is mandatory.

Use checklists only for guidance.

Don’t spend time with items that have no application to your business. Make sure that each item

is seen by you or your designee and leave nothing

to memory or chance. Write down what you see or

don’t see and what you think you should do about it.

Add information from your completed checklists

to injury information, employee information, and

process and equipment information to build a

foundation to help you determine what problems

exist. Then, as you use the OSHA standards in

your problem-solving process, it will be easier for

you to determine the actions needed to solve these

problems.

Once the hazards have been identified, institute the control procedures described at page 9

and establish your four-point safety and health

program.

Self-Inspection Scope

Your self-inspections should cover safety and

health issues in the following areas:

■ Processing, Receiving, Shipping and Storage –

equipment, job planning, layout, heights, floor

loads, projection of materials, material handling and storage methods, training for material handling equipment.

SELF-INSPECTION
tures in hazardous locations, waste disposal

and training of personnel.

■ Maintenance – provide regular and preventive

maintenance on all equipment used at the

worksite, recording all work performed on the

machinery and by training personnel on the

proper care and servicing of the equipment.

■ PPE – type, size, maintenance, repair, age, storage, assignment of responsibility, purchasing

methods, standards observed, training in care

and use, rules of use, method of assignment.

■ Transportation – motor vehicle safety, seat belts,

vehicle maintenance, safe driver programs.

■ First-Aid Program/Supplies – medical care

facilities locations, posted emergency phone

numbers, accessible first-aid kits.

■ Evacuation Plan – establish and practice procedures for an emergency evacuation, e.g.,

fire, chemical/biological incidents, bomb

threat; include escape procedures and routes,

critical plant operations, employee accounting

following an evacuation, rescue and medical

duties and ways to report emergencies.

Self-Inspection Checklists

These checklists are by no means all-inclusive.

You should add to them or delete items that do not

apply to your business; however, carefully consider

each item and then make your decision. You

should refer to OSHA standards for specific guidance that may apply to your work situation. (Note:

These checklists are typical for general industry but

not for construction or maritime industries.)

EMPLOYER POSTING

❏Is the required OSHA Job Safety and Health

Protection Poster displayed in a prominent location where all employees are likely to see it?

❏Are emergency telephone numbers posted

where they can be readily found in case of

emergency?

❏ Where employees may be exposed to toxic

substances or harmful physical agents, has

appropriate information concerning employee

access to medical and exposure records and

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) been

posted or otherwise made readily available to

affected employees?

❏Are signs concerning exit routes, room capacities, floor loading, biohazards, exposures to xray, microwave, or other harmful radiation or

substances posted where appropriate?

❏Is the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and

Illnesses (OSHA Form 300A) posted during the

months of February, March and April?

RECORDKEEPING

❏Are occupational injuries or illnesses, except

minor injuries requiring only first aid, recorded

as required on the OSHA 300 log?

❏Are employee medical records and records of

employee exposure to hazardous substances

or harmful physical agents up-to-date and in

compliance with current OSHA standards?

❏Are employee training records kept and accessible for review by employees, as required by

OSHA standards?

❏Have arrangements been made to retain

records for the time period required for each

specific type of record? (Some records must

be maintained for at least 40 years.)

❏Are operating permits and records up-to-date

for items such as elevators, air pressure tanks,

liquefied petroleum gas tanks, etc.?

SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM

❏Do you have an active safety and health program in operation that includes general safety

and health program elements as well as the

management of hazards specific to your worksite?

❏Is one person clearly responsible for the safety

and health program?

❏Do you have a safety committee or group

made up of management and labor representatives that meets regularly and reports in

writing on its activities?

18

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
19

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

❏If employees have had an exposure incident

involving bloodborne pathogens, was an immediate post-exposure medical evaluation and

follow-up provided?

❏Are medical personnel readily available for

advice and consultation on matters of employees’ health?

❏Are emergency phone numbers posted?

❏Are fully supplied first aid kits easily accessible

to each work area, periodically inspected and

replenished as needed?

❏Have first aid kits and supplies been approved

by a physician, indicating that they are adequate for a particular area or operation?

❏Is there an eye-wash station or sink available

for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and

body in areas where corrosive liquids or materials are handled?

FIRE PROTECTION

❏Is your local fire department familiar with your

facility, its location and specific hazards?

❏If you have a fire alarm system, is it certified

as required and tested annually?

❏If you have interior standpipes and valves, are

they inspected regularly?

❏If you have outside private fire hydrants, are

they flushed at least once a year and on a routine preventive maintenance schedule?

❏Are fire doors and shutters in good operating

condition?

❏Are fire doors and shutters unobstructed and

protected against obstructions, including their

counterweights?

❏Are fire door and shutter fusible links in place?

❏Are automatic sprinkler system water control

valves, air and water pressure checked periodically as required?

❏Is the maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems assigned to responsible persons or to a

sprinkler contractor?

❏Are sprinkler heads protected by metal guards

if exposed to potential physical damage?

❏Do you have a working procedure to handle

in-house employee complaints regarding safety and health?

❏Are your employees advised of efforts and

accomplishments of the safety and health program made to ensure they will have a workplace that is safe and healthful?

❏Have you considered incentives for employees

or workgroups who excel in reducing workplace injury/illnesses?

MEDICAL SERVICES AND FIRST AID

❏Is there a hospital, clinic, or infirmary for medical care near your workplace or is at least one

employee on each shift currently qualified to

render first aid?

❏Have all employees who are expected to

respond to medical emergencies as part of

their job responsibilities received first aid

training; had hepatitis B vaccination made

available to them; had appropriate training on

procedures to protect them from bloodborne

pathogens, including universal precautions;

and have available and understand how to use

appropriate PPE to protect against exposure to

bloodborne diseases?*

*Pursuant to an OSHA memorandum of July 1,

1992, employees who render first aid only as a collateral duty do not have to be offered pre-exposure

hepatitis B vaccine only if the employer includes

and implements the following requirements in

his/her exposure control plan: (1) the employer

must record all first aid incidents involving the

presence of blood or other potentially infectious

materials before the end of the work shift during

which the first aid incident occurred; (2) the employer must comply with post-exposure evaluation,

prophylaxis and follow-up requirements of the

Bloodborne Pathogens standard with respect to

“exposure incidents, ” as defined by the standard;

(3) the employer must train designated first aid

providers about the reporting procedure; (4) the

employer must offer to initiate the hepatitis B vaccination series within 24 hours to all unvaccinated

first aid providers who have rendered assistance in

any situation involving the presence of blood or

other potentially infectious materials.
❏Is proper clearance maintained below sprinkler

heads?

❏Are portable fire extinguishers provided in

adequate number and type and mounted in

readily accessible locations?

❏Are fire extinguishers recharged regularly with

this noted on the inspection tag?

❏Are employees periodically instructed in the

use of fire extinguishers and fire protection

procedures?

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

AND CLOTHING

❏Has the employer determined whether hazards

that require the use of PPE (e.g., head, eye,

face, hand, or foot protection) are present or

are likely to be present?

❏If hazards or the likelihood of hazards are

found, are employers selecting appropriate

and properly fitted PPE suitable for protection

from these hazards and ensuring that affected

employees use it?

❏Have both the employer and the employees

been trained on PPE procedures, i.e., what PPE

is necessary for job tasks, when workers need

it, and how to properly wear and adjust it?

❏Are protective goggles or face shields provided and worn where there is any danger of flying particles or corrosive materials?

❏Are approved safety glasses required to be

worn at all times in areas where there is a risk

of eye injuries such as punctures, abrasions,

contusions, or burns?

❏Are employees who wear corrective lenses

(glasses or contacts) in workplaces with harmful exposures required to wear only approved

safety glasses, protective goggles, or use other

medically approved precautionary procedures?

❏Are protective gloves, aprons, shields, or other

means provided and required where employees could be cut or where there is reasonably

anticipated exposure to corrosive liquids,

chemicals, blood, or other potentially infectious materials? See the OSHA Bloodborne

Pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030(b), for

the definition of “other potentially infectious

materials. ”

❏Are hard hats required, provided and worn

where danger of falling objects exists?

❏Are hard hats periodically inspected for damage to the shell and suspension system?

❏Is appropriate foot protection required where

there is the risk of foot injuries from hot, corrosive, or poisonous substances, falling objects,

crushing, or penetrating actions?

❏Are approved respirators provided when needed? (See 29 CFR 1910.134 for detailed information on respirators or check OSHA’s website

at www.osha.gov).

❏Is all PPE maintained in a sanitary condition

and ready for use?

❏Are food or beverages consumed only in areas

where there is no exposure to toxic material,

blood, or other potentially infectious materials?

❏Is protection against the effects of occupational noise provided when sound levels exceed

those of the OSHA Noise standard?

❏Are adequate work procedures, PPE and other

equipment provided and used when cleaning

up spilled hazardous materials?

❏Are appropriate procedures in place to dispose

of or decontaminate PPE contaminated with,

or reasonably anticipated to be contaminated

with, blood or other potentially infectious

materials?

GENERAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

❏Are all worksites clean, sanitary and orderly?

❏Are work surfaces kept dry and appropriate

means taken to assure the surfaces are slipresistant?

❏Are all spilled hazardous materials or liquids,

including blood and other potentially infectious materials, cleaned up immediately and

according to proper procedures?

❏Is combustible scrap, debris and waste

stored safely and removed from the worksite

promptly?

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OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
21

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

❏Are spilled materials cleaned up immediately?

❏Are changes of direction or elevations readily

identifiable?

❏Are aisles or walkways that pass near moving

or operating machinery, welding operations,

or similar operations arranged so employees

will not be subjected to potential hazards?

❏Is adequate headroom provided for the entire

length of any aisle or walkway?

❏Are standard guardrails provided wherever

aisle or walkway surfaces are elevated more

than 30 inches (76.20 centimeters) above any

adjacent floor or the ground?

❏Are bridges provided over conveyors and similar hazards?

FLOOR ANDWALL OPENINGS

❏Are floor openings guarded by a cover, a

guardrail, or equivalent on all sides (except at

stairways or ladder entrances)?

❏Are toeboards installed around the edges of

permanent floor openings where persons may

pass below the opening?

❏Are skylight screens able to withstand a load

of at least 200 pounds (90.7 kilograms)?

❏Is the glass in windows, doors, glass walls,

etc., subject to possible human impact, of sufficient thickness and type for the condition of

use?

❏Are grates or similar type covers over floor

openings such as floor drains designed to

allow unimpeded foot traffic or rolling equipment?

❏Are unused portions of service pits and pits

not in use either covered or protected by

guardrails or equivalent?

❏Are manhole covers, trench covers and similar

covers, and their supports designed to carry a

truck rear axle load of at least 20,000 pounds

(9,072 kilograms) when located in roadways

and subject to vehicle traffic?

❏Are floor or wall openings in fire-resistant construction provided with doors or covers compatible with the fire rating of the structure and

❏Is all regulated waste, as defined in the OSHA

Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR

1910.1030), discarded according to Federal,

state and local regulations?

❏Are accumulations of combustible dust routinely removed from elevated surfaces including the overhead structure of buildings, etc.?

❏Is combustible dust cleaned up with a vacuum

system to prevent suspension of dust particles

in the environment?

❏Is metallic or conductive dust prevented from

entering or accumulating on or around electrical enclosures or equipment?

❏Are covered metal waste cans used for oily or

paint-soaked waste?

❏Are all oil and gas-fired devices equipped with

flame failure controls to prevent flow of fuel if

pilots or main burners are not working?

❏Are paint spray booths, dip tanks, etc., cleaned

regularly?

❏Are the minimum number of toilets and washing facilities provided and maintained in a

clean and sanitary fashion?

❏Are all work areas adequately illuminated?

❏Are pits and floor openings covered or otherwise guarded?

❏Have all confined spaces been evaluated for

compliance with 29 CFR 1910.146? (Permitrequired confined spaces.)

WALKWAYS

❏Are aisles and passageways kept clear and

marked as appropriate?

❏Are wet surfaces covered with non-slip materials?

❏Are holes in the floor, sidewalk, or other walking surface repaired properly, covered, or otherwise made safe?

❏Is there safe clearance for walking in aisles

where motorized or mechanical handling

equipment is operating?

❏Are materials or equipment stored in such a

way that sharp projections will not interfere

with the walkway?
provided with a self-closing feature when

appropriate?

STAIRS AND STAIRWAYS

❏Do standard stair rails or handrails on all stairways have at least four risers?

❏Are all stairways at least 22 inches (55.88 centimeters) wide?

❏Do stairs have landing platforms not less than

30 inches (76.20 centimeters) in the direction

of travel and extend 22 inches (55.88 centimeters) in width at every 12 feet (3.6576 meters)

or less of vertical rise?

❏Do stairs angle no more than 50 and no less

than 30 degrees?

❏Are stairs of hollow-pan type treads and landings filled to the top edge of the pan with solid

material?

❏Are step risers on stairs uniform from top to

bottom?

❏Are steps slip-resistant?

❏Are stairway handrails located between 30

inches (76.20 centimeters) and 34 inches

(86.36 centimeters) above the leading edge of

stair treads?

❏Do stairway handrails have at least 3 inches

(7.62 centimeters) of clearance between the

handrails and the wall or surface they are

mounted on?

❏ Where doors or gates open directly on a stairway, is a platform provided so the swing of

the door does not reduce the width of the platform to less than 21 inches (53.34 centimeters)?

❏Are stairway handrails capable of withstanding

a load of 200 pounds (90.7 kilograms), applied

within 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) of the top

edge in any downward or outward direction?

❏ Where stairs or stairways exit directly into any

area where vehicles may be operated, are adequate barriers and warnings provided to prevent employees from stepping into the path of

traffic?

❏Do stairway landings have a dimension measured in the direction of travel at least equal to

the width of the stairway?

❏Is the vertical distance between stairway landings limited to 12 feet (3.6576 meters) or less?

ELEVATED SURFACES

❏Are signs posted, when appropriate, showing

the elevated surface load capacity?

❏Are surfaces that are elevated more than 30

inches (76.20 centimeters) provided with standard guardrails?

❏Are all elevated surfaces beneath which people or machinery could be exposed to falling

objects provided with standard 4-inch (10.16-

centimeter) toeboards?

❏Is a permanent means of access and egress

provided to elevated storage and work surfaces?

❏Is required headroom provided where necessary?

❏Is material on elevated surfaces piled, stacked,

or racked in a manner to prevent it from tipping, falling, collapsing, rolling, or spreading?

❏Are dock boards or bridge plates used when

transferring materials between docks and

trucks or railcars?

EXITING OR EGRESS - EVACUATION

❏Are all exits marked with an exit sign and illuminated by a reliable light source?

❏Are the directions to exits, when not immediately apparent, marked with visible signs?

❏Are doors, passageways or stairways that are

neither exits nor access to exits, but could be

mistaken for exits, appropriately marked “NOT

AN EXIT, ” “TO BASEMENT, ” “STOREROOM, ” etc.?

❏Are exit signs labeled with the word “EXIT” in

lettering at least 5 inches (12.70 centimeters)

high and the stroke of the lettering at least l/2-

inch (1.2700 centimeters) wide?

❏Are exit doors side-hinged?

22

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
23

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

❏ Where panic hardware is installed on a

required exit door, will it allow the door to

open by applying a force of 15 pounds (6.80

kilograms) or less in the direction of the exit

traffic?

❏Are doors on cold storage rooms provided

with an inside release mechanism that will

release the latch and open the door even if the

door is padlocked or otherwise locked on the

outside?

❏ Where exit doors open directly onto any

street, alley, or other area where vehicles may

be operated, are adequate barriers and warnings provided to prevent employees from

stepping into the path of traffic?

❏Are doors that swing in both directions and

are located between rooms where there is frequent traffic provided with viewing panels in

each door?

PORTABLE LADDERS

❏Are all ladders maintained in good condition,

joints between steps and side rails tight, all

hardware and fittings securely attached, and

moveable parts operating freely without binding or undue play?

❏Are non-slip safety feet provided on each metal

or rung ladder, and are ladder rungs and steps

free of grease and oil?

❏Are employees prohibited from placing a ladder in front of doors opening toward the ladder unless the door is blocked open, locked, or

guarded?

❏Are employees prohibited from placing ladders on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases

to obtain additional height?

❏Are employees required to face the ladder

when ascending or descending?

❏Are employees prohibited from using ladders

that are broken, have missing steps, rungs, or

cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty equipment?

❏Are employees instructed not to use the top

step of ordinary stepladders as a step?

❏Are all exits kept free of obstructions?

❏Are at least two means of egress provided

from elevated platforms, pits, or rooms where

the absence of a second exit would increase

the risk of injury from hot, poisonous, corrosive, suffocating, flammable, or explosive substances?

❏Are there sufficient exits to permit prompt

escape in case of emergency?

❏Are special precautions taken to protect

employees during construction and repair

operations?

❏Is the number of exits from each floor of a

building and the number of exits from the

building itself appropriate for the building

occupancy load?

❏Are exit stairways that are required to be separated from other parts of a building enclosed

by at least 2-hour fire-resistive construction in

buildings more than four stories in height, and

not less than 1-hour fire-resistive construction

elsewhere?

❏ Where ramps are used as part of required exiting from a building, is the ramp slope limited

to 1 foot (0.3048 meter) vertical and 12 feet

(3.6576 meters) horizontal?

❏ Where exiting will be through frameless glass

doors, glass exit doors, storm doors, etc., are

the doors fully tempered and meet the safety

requirements for human impact?

EXIT DOORS

❏Are doors that are required to serve as exits

designed and constructed so that the path of

exit travel is obvious and direct?

❏Are windows that could be mistaken for exit

doors made inaccessible by means of barriers

or railings?

❏Are exit doors able to be opened from the

direction of exit travel without the use of a key

or any special knowledge or effort when the

building is occupied?

❏Is a revolving, sliding, or overhead door prohibited from serving as a required exit door?
❏ When portable rung ladders are used to gain

access to elevated platforms, roofs, etc., does

the ladder always extend at least 3 feet (0.9144

meters) above the elevated surface?

❏Are employees required to secure the base of

a portable rung or cleat type ladder to prevent

slipping, or otherwise lash or hold it in place?

❏Are portable metal ladders legibly marked with

signs reading “CAUTION - Do Not Use Around

Electrical Equipment” or equivalent wording?

❏Are employees prohibited from using ladders

as guys, braces, skids, gin poles, or for other

than their intended purposes?

❏Are employees instructed to only adjust extension ladders while standing at a base (not

while standing on the ladder or from a position above the ladder)?

❏Are metal ladders inspected for damage?

❏Are the rungs of ladders uniformly spaced at

12 inches (30.48 centimeters) center to center?

HAND TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

❏Are all tools and equipment (both company

and employee-owned) used at the workplace

in good condition?

❏Are hand tools, such as chisels, punches, etc.,

which develop mushroomed heads during

use, reconditioned or replaced as necessary?

❏Are broken or fractured handles on hammers,

axes and similar equipment replaced promptly?

❏Are worn or bent wrenches replaced?

❏Are appropriate handles used on files and similar tools?

❏Are employees aware of hazards caused by

faulty or improperly used hand tools?

❏Are appropriate safety glasses, face shields,

etc., used while using hand tools or equipment

that might produce flying materials or be subject to breakage?

❏Are jacks checked periodically to ensure they

are in good operating condition?

❏Are tool handles wedged tightly into the heads

of all tools?

❏Are tool cutting edges kept sharp so the tool

will move smoothly without binding or skipping?

❏Are tools stored in a dry, secure location

where they cannot be tampered with?

❏Is eye and face protection used when driving

hardened or tempered studs or nails?

PORTABLE (POWER OPERATED) TOOLS

AND EQUIPMENT

❏Are grinders, saws and similar equipment provided with appropriate safety guards?

❏Are power tools used with proper shields,

guards, or attachments, as recommended by

the manufacturer?

❏Are portable circular saws equipped with

guards above and below the base shoe?

❏Are circular saw guards checked to ensure that

they are not wedged up, leaving the lower

portion of the blade unguarded?

❏Are rotating or moving parts of equipment

guarded to prevent physical contact?

❏Are all cord-connected, electrically operated

tools and equipment effectively grounded or

of the approved double insulated type?

❏Are effective guards in place over belts, pulleys, chains and sprockets on equipment such

as concrete mixers, air compressors, etc.?

❏Are portable fans provided with full guards or

screens having openings 1/2 inch (1.2700 centimeters) or less?

❏Is hoisting equipment available and used for

lifting heavy objects, and are hoist ratings and

characteristics appropriate for the task?

❏Are ground-fault circuit interrupters provided

on all temporary electrical 15 and 20 ampere

circuits used during periods of construction?

❏Are pneumatic and hydraulic hoses on poweroperated tools checked regularly for deterioration or damage?

ABRASIVE WHEEL EQUIPMENT GRINDERS

❏Is the work rest used and kept adjusted to within

1/8 inch (0.3175 centimeter) of the wheel?

24

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
25

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

❏Are powder-actuated tools inspected for obstructions or defects each day before use?

❏Do powder-actuated tool operators have and

use appropriate PPE such as hard hats, safety

goggles, safety shoes and ear protectors?

MACHINE GUARDING

❏Is there a training program to instruct employees on safe methods of machine operation?

❏Is there adequate supervision to ensure that

employees are following safe machine operating procedures?

❏Is there a regular program of safety inspection

of machinery and equipment?

❏Is all machinery and equipment kept clean and

properly maintained?

❏Is sufficient clearance provided around and

between machines to allow for safe operations, set up and servicing, material handling

and waste removal?

❏Is equipment and machinery securely placed

and anchored to prevent tipping or other

movement that could result in personal injury?

❏Is there a power shut-off switch within reach

of the operator’s position at each machine?

❏Can electric power to each machine be locked

out for maintenance, repair, or security?

❏Are the noncurrent-carrying metal parts of

electrically operated machines bonded and

grounded?

❏Are foot-operated switches guarded or arranged to prevent accidental actuation by personnel or falling objects?

❏Are manually operated valves and switches

controlling the operation of equipment and

machines clearly identified and readily accessible?

❏Are all emergency stop buttons colored red?

❏Are all pulleys and belts within 7 feet (2.1336

meters) of the floor or working level properly

guarded?

❏Are all moving chains and gears properly

guarded?

❏Is the adjustable tongue on the top side of the

grinder used and kept adjusted to within 1/4

inch (0.6350 centimeters) of the wheel?

❏Do side guards cover the spindle, nut and

flange and 75 percent of the wheel diameter?

❏Are bench and pedestal grinders permanently

mounted?

❏Are goggles or face shields always worn when

grinding?

❏Is the maximum revolutions per minute (rpm)

rating of each abrasive wheel compatible with

the rpm rating of the grinder motor?

❏Are fixed or permanently mounted grinders

connected to their electrical supply system

with metallic conduit or other permanent

wiring method?

❏Does each grinder have an individual on and

off control switch?

❏Is each electrically operated grinder effectively

grounded?

❏Are new abrasive wheels visually inspected

and ring tested before they are mounted?

❏Are dust collectors and powered exhausts provided on grinders used in operations that produce large amounts of dust?

❏Are splash guards mounted on grinders that

use coolant to prevent the coolant from reaching employees?

❏Is cleanliness maintained around grinders?

POWDER-ACTUATEDTOOLS

❏Are employees who operate powder-actuated

tools trained in their use and required to carry

a valid operator’s card?

❏Is each powder-actuated tool stored in its own

locked container when not being used?

❏Is a sign at least 7 inches (17.78 centimeters)

by 10 inches (25.40 centimeters) with bold face

type reading “POWDER-ACTUATED TOOL IN

USE” conspicuously posted when the tool is

being used?

❏Are powder-actuated tools left unloaded until

they are ready to be used?
❏Are splash guards mounted on machines that

use coolant to prevent the coolant from reaching employees?

❏Are methods provided to protect the operator

and other employees in the machine area

from hazards created at the point of operation,

ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips

and sparks?

❏Are machine guards secure and arranged so

they do not cause a hazard while in use?

❏If special hand tools are used for placing and

removing material, do they protect the operator’s hands?

❏Are revolving drums, barrels and containers

guarded by an enclosure that is interlocked

with the drive mechanism so that revolution

cannot occur unless the guard enclosure is in

place?

❏Do arbors and mandrels have firm and secure

bearings, and are they free from play?

❏Are provisions made to prevent machines

from automatically starting when power is

restored after a power failure or shutdown?

❏Are machines constructed so as to be free

from excessive vibration when the largest size

tool is mounted and run at full speed?

❏If machinery is cleaned with compressed air, is

air pressure controlled and PPE or other safeguards utilized to protect operators and other

workers from eye and body injury?

❏Are fan blades protected with a guard having

openings no larger than l/2 inch (1.2700 centimeters) when operating within 7 feet (2.1336

meters) of the floor?

❏Are saws used for ripping equipped with antikickback devices and spreaders?

❏Are radial arm saws so arranged that the cutting head will gently return to the back of the

table when released?

LOCKOUT/TAGOUT PROCEDURES

❏Is all machinery or equipment capable of movement required to be de-energized or disengaged

and blocked or locked out during cleaning, servicing, adjusting, or setting up operations?

❏If the power disconnect for equipment does

not also disconnect the electrical control circuit, are the appropriate electrical enclosures

identified and is a means provided to ensure

that the control circuit can also be disconnected and locked out?

❏Is the locking out of control circuits instead of

locking out main power disconnects prohibited?

❏Are all equipment control valve handles provided with a means for locking out?

❏Does the lockout procedure require that stored

energy (mechanical, hydraulic, air, etc.) be released or blocked before equipment is locked

out for repairs?

❏Are appropriate employees provided with individually keyed personal safety locks?

❏Are employees required to keep personal control of their key(s) while they have safety locks

in use?

❏Is it required that only the employee exposed

to the hazard can place or remove the safety

lock?

❏Is it required that employees check the safety

of the lockout by attempting a startup after

making sure no one is exposed?

❏Are employees instructed to always push the

control circuit stop button prior to re-energizing the main power switch?

❏Is there a means provided to identify any or all

employees who are working on locked-out

equipment by their locks or accompanying

tags?

❏Are a sufficient number of accident prevention

signs or tags and safety padlocks provided for

any reasonably foreseeable repair emergency?

❏ When machine operations, configuration, or

size require an operator to leave the control

station and part of the machine could move if

accidentally activated, is the part required to

be separately locked out or blocked?

❏If equipment or lines cannot be shut down,

locked out and tagged, is a safe job procedure

established and rigidly followed?

26

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
27

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

❏Is red used to identify the acetylene (and other

fuel-gas) hose, green for the oxygen hose and

black for inert gas and air hoses?

❏Are pressure-reducing regulators used only for

the gas and pressures for which they are intended?

❏Is open circuit (no-load) voltage of arc welding

and cutting machines as low as possible and

not in excess of the recommended limits?

❏ Under wet conditions, are automatic controls

for reducing no-load voltage used?

❏Is grounding of the machine frame and safety

ground connections of portable machines

checked periodically?

❏Are electrodes removed from the holders

when not in use?

❏Is it required that electric power to the welder

be shut off when no one is in attendance?

❏Is suitable fire extinguishing equipment available for immediate use?

❏Is the welder forbidden to coil or loop welding

electrode cable around his body?

❏Are wet machines thoroughly dried and tested

before use?

❏Are work and electrode lead cables frequently

inspected for wear and damage, and replaced

when needed?

❏Are cable connectors adequately insulated?

❏ When the object to be welded cannot be

moved and fire hazards cannot be removed,

are shields used to confine heat, sparks and

slag?

❏Are fire watchers assigned when welding or

cutting is performed in locations where a serious fire might develop?

❏Are combustible floors kept wet, covered with

damp sand, or protected by fire-resistant

shields?

❏Are personnel protected from possible electrical shock when floors are wet?

❏Are precautions taken to protect combustibles

on the other side of metal walls when welding

is underway?

WELDING, CUTTING AND BRAZING

❏Are only authorized and trained personnel permitted to use welding, cutting, or brazing

equipment?

❏Does each operator have a copy of and follow

the appropriate operating instructions?

❏Are compressed gas cylinders regularly examined for obvious signs of defects, deep rusting,

or leakage?

❏Is care used in handling and storage of cylinders, safety valves, relief valves, etc., to prevent damage?

❏Are precautions taken to prevent the mixture

of air or oxygen with flammable gases, except

at a burner or in a standard torch?

❏Are only approved apparatuses (torches, regulators, pressure reducing valves, acetylene

generators, manifolds) used?

❏Are cylinders kept away from sources of heat

and elevators, stairs, or gangways?

❏Is it prohibited to use cylinders as rollers or

supports?

❏Are empty cylinders appropriately marked and

their valves closed?

❏Are signs posted reading “DANGER, NO

SMOKING, MATCHES, OR OPEN LIGHTS, ” or

the equivalent?

❏Are cylinders, cylinder valves, couplings, regulators, hoses and apparatuses kept free of oily

or greasy substances?

❏Is care taken not to drop or strike cylinders?

❏Are regulators removed and valve-protection

caps put in place before moving cylinders,

unless they are secured on special trucks?

❏Do cylinders without fixed wheels have keys,

handles, or non-adjustable wrenches on stem

valves when in service?

❏Are liquefied gases stored and shipped valveend up with valve covers in place?

❏Are employees trained never to crack a fuel

gas cylinder valve near sources of ignition?

❏Before a regulator is removed, is the valve

closed and gas released?
❏Are used drums, barrels, tanks and other containers thoroughly cleaned of substances that

could explode, ignite, or produce toxic vapors

before hot work begins?

❏Do eye protection, helmets, hand shields and

goggles meet appropriate standards?

❏Are employees exposed to the hazards created

by welding, cutting, or brazing operations protected with PPE and clothing?

❏Is a check made for adequate ventilation in

and where welding or cutting is performed?

❏ When working in confined places, are environmental monitoring tests done and means provided for quick removal of welders in case of

an emergency?

COMPRESSORS AND COMPRESSED AIR

❏Are compressors equipped with pressure relief

valves and pressure gauges?

❏Are compressor air intakes installed and

equipped so as to ensure that only clean,

uncontaminated air enters the compressor?

❏Are air filters installed on the compressor

intake?

❏Are compressors operated and lubricated in

accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations?

❏Are safety devices on compressed air systems

checked frequently?

❏Before a compressor’s pressure system is repaired, is the pressure bled off and the system

locked out?

❏Are signs posted to warn of the automatic

starting feature of the compressors?

❏Is the belt drive system totally enclosed to provide protection for the front, back, top and

sides?

❏Are employees strictly prohibited from directing compressed air towards a person?

❏Are employees prohibited from using highly

compressed air for cleaning purposes?

❏ When compressed air is used to clean clothing,

are employees trained to reduce the pressure to

less than 10 pounds per square inch (psi)?

❏ When using compressed air for cleaning, do

employees wear protective chip guarding and

PPE?

❏Are safety chains or other suitable locking

devices used at couplings of high-pressure

hose lines where a connection failure would

create a hazard?

❏Before compressed air is used to empty containers of liquid, is the safe working pressure

of the container checked?

❏ When compressed air is used with abrasive

blast cleaning equipment, is the operating

valve a type that must be held open manually?

❏ When compressed air is used to inflate auto

tires, are a clip-on chuck and an inline regulator preset to 40 psi required?

❏Are employees prohibited from using compressed air to clean up or move combustible

dust if such action could cause the dust to be

suspended in the air and cause a fire or explosion hazard?

COMPRESSORS/AIR RECEIVERS

❏Is every receiver equipped with a pressure

gauge and one or more automatic, springloaded safety valves?

❏Is the total relieving capacity of the safety

valve able to prevent pressure in the receiver

from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure of the receiver by more than 10

percent?

❏Is every air receiver provided with a drain pipe

and valve at the lowest point for the removal

of accumulated oil and water?

❏Are compressed air receivers periodically

drained of moisture and oil?

❏Are all safety valves tested at regular intervals

to determine whether they are in good operating condition?

❏Is there a current operating permit?

❏Is the inlet of air receivers and piping systems

kept free of accumulated oil and carbonaceous

materials?

28

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
29

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

❏Is the rated load of each hoist legibly marked

and visible to the operator?

❏Are stops provided at the safe limits of travel

for trolley hoists?

❏Are the controls of hoists plainly marked to

indicate the direction of travel or motion?

❏Is each cage-controlled hoist equipped with an

effective warning device?

❏Are close-fitting guards or other suitable devices installed on each hoist to ensure that

hoist ropes will be maintained in the sheave

grooves?

❏Are all hoist chains or ropes long enough to

handle the full range of movement of the

application while maintaining two full wraps

around the drum at all times?

❏Are guards provided for nip points or contact

points between hoist ropes and sheaves permanently located within 7 feet (2.1336 meters)

of the floor, ground, or working platform?

❏Are employees prohibited from using chains or

rope slings that are kinked or twisted and prohibited from using the hoist rope or chain wrapped around the load as a substitute for a sling?

❏Is the operator instructed to avoid carrying

loads above people?

INDUSTRIALTRUCKS - FORKLIFTS

❏Are employees properly trained in the use of

the type of industrial truck they operate?

❏Are only trained personnel allowed to operate

industrial trucks?

❏Is substantial overhead protective equipment

provided on high lift rider equipment?

❏Are the required lift truck operating rules posted and enforced?

❏Is directional lighting provided on each industrial truck that operates in an area with less

than 2 footcandles per square foot of general

lighting?

❏Does each industrial truck have a warning

horn, whistle, gong, or other device that can

be clearly heard above normal noise in the

areas where it is operated?

COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS

❏Are cylinders with a water weight capacity

over 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) equipped

with a means to connect a valve protector

device, or with a collar or recess to protect

the valve?

❏Are cylinders legibly marked to clearly identify

the type of gas?

❏Are compressed gas cylinders stored in areas

protected from external heat sources such as

flame impingement, intense radiant heat, electric arcs, or high-temperature lines?

❏Are cylinders located or stored in areas where

they will not be damaged by passing or falling

objects or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons?

❏Are cylinders stored or transported in a manner to prevent them from creating a hazard by

tipping, falling, or rolling?

❏Are cylinders containing liquefied fuel gas

stored or transported in a position so that the

safety relief device is always in direct contact

with the vapor space in the cylinder?

❏Are valve protectors always placed on cylinders when the cylinders are not in use or connected for use?

❏Are all valves closed off before a cylinder is

moved, when the cylinder is empty and at the

completion of each job?

❏Are low-pressure fuel gas cylinders checked

periodically for corrosion, general distortion,

cracks, or any other defect that might indicate

a weakness or render them unfit for service?

❏Does the periodic check of low-pressure fuel

gas cylinders include a close inspection of the

cylinders’ bottoms?

HOIST AND AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT

❏Is each overhead electric hoist equipped with a

limit device to stop the hook at its highest and

lowest point of safe travel?

❏ Will each hoist automatically stop and hold

any load up to 125 percent of its rated load if

its actuating force is removed?
❏Are the brakes on each industrial truck capable

of bringing the vehicle to a complete and safe

stop when fully loaded?

❏Does the parking brake of the industrial truck

prevent the vehicle from moving when unattended?

❏Are industrial trucks that operate where flammable gases, vapors, combustible dust, or

ignitable fibers may be present approved for

such locations?

❏Are motorized hand and hand/rider trucks

designed so that the brakes are applied and

power to the drive motor shuts off when the

operator releases his or her grip on the device

that controls the truck’s travel?

❏Are industrial trucks with internal combustion

engines that are operated in buildings or

enclosed areas carefully checked to ensure

that such operations do not cause harmful

concentrations of dangerous gases or fumes?

❏Are safe distances maintained from the edges

of elevated ramps and platforms?

❏Are employees prohibited from standing or

passing under elevated portions of trucks,

whether loaded or empty?

❏Are unauthorized employees prohibited from

riding on trucks?

❏Are operators prohibited from driving up to

anyone standing in front of a fixed object?

❏Are arms and legs kept inside the running

lines of the truck?

❏Are loads handled only within the rated capacity of the truck?

❏Are trucks in need of repair removed from

service immediately?

SPRAYING OPERATIONS

❏Is adequate ventilation provided before spraying operations are started?

❏Is mechanical ventilation provided when spraying operations are performed in enclosed areas?

❏ When mechanical ventilation is provided during spraying operations, is it so arranged that

it will not circulate the contaminated air?

❏Is the spray area free of hot surfaces and at

least 20 feet (6.096 meters) from flames,

sparks, operating electrical motors and other

ignition sources?

❏Are portable lamps used to illuminate spray

areas suitable for use in a hazardous location?

❏Is approved respiratory equipment provided

and used when appropriate during spraying

operations?

❏Do solvents used for cleaning have a flash

point to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (deg. F) or

more?

❏Are fire control sprinkler heads kept clean?

❏Are “NO SMOKING” signs posted in spray

areas, paint rooms, paint booths and paint

storage areas?

❏Is the spray area kept clean of combustible

residue?

❏Are spray booths constructed of metal,

masonry, or other substantial noncombustible material?

❏Are spray booth floors and baffles noncombustible and easily cleaned?

❏Is infrared drying apparatus kept out of the

spray area during spraying operations and is

the spray booth completely ventilated before

using the drying apparatus?

❏Is the electric drying apparatus properly

grounded?

❏Are lighting fixtures for spray booths located

outside the booth with the interior lighted

through sealed clear panels?

❏Are the electric motors for exhaust fans placed

outside booths or ducts?

❏Are belts and pulleys inside the booth fully

enclosed?

❏Do ducts have access doors to allow cleaning?

❏Do all drying spaces have adequate ventilation?

ENTERING CONFINED SPACES

❏Are confined spaces thoroughly emptied of

any corrosive or hazardous substances, such

as acids or caustics, before entry?

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equipment such as salamanders, torches, furnaces, etc., in a confined space, is sufficient air

provided to assure combustion without reducing the oxygen concentration of the atmosphere below 19.5 percent by volume?

❏ Whenever combustion-type equipment is used

in a confined space, are provisions made to

ensure the exhaust gases are vented outside

of the enclosure?

❏Is each confined space checked for decaying

vegetation or animal matter which may produce methane?

❏Is the confined space checked for possible

industrial waste which could contain toxic

properties?

❏If the confined space is below ground and near

areas where motor vehicles will be operating,

is it possible for vehicle exhaust or carbon

monoxide to enter the space?

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS

❏Are all work areas properly illuminated?

❏Are employees instructed in proper first aid

and other emergency procedures?

❏Are hazardous substances, blood and other

potentially infectious materials, which may

cause harm by inhalation, ingestion, or skin

absorption or contact, identified?

❏Are employees aware of the hazards involved

with the various chemicals they may be exposed to in their work environment, such as

ammonia, chlorine, epoxies, caustics, etc.?

❏Is employee exposure to chemicals in the

workplace kept within acceptable levels?

❏Can a less harmful method or product be

used?

❏Is the work area ventilation system appropriate

for the work performed?

❏Are spray painting operations performed in

spray rooms or booths equipped with an

appropriate exhaust system?

❏Is employee exposure to welding fumes controlled by ventilation, use of respirators, exposure time limits, or other means?

❏Are all lines to a confined space that contain

inert, toxic, flammable, or corrosive materials

valved off and blanked or disconnected and

separated before entry?

❏Are all impellers, agitators, or other moving

parts and equipment inside confined spaces

locked out if they present a hazard?

❏Is either natural or mechanical ventilation provided prior to confined space entry?

❏Are appropriate atmospheric tests performed

to check for oxygen deficiency, toxic substances and explosive concentrations in the

confined space before entry?

❏Is adequate illumination provided for the work

to be performed in the confined space?

❏Is the atmosphere inside the confined space

frequently tested or continuously monitored

during work?

❏Is there a trained and equipped standby

employee positioned outside the confined

space, whose sole responsibility is to watch

the work in progress, sound an alarm if necessary and render assistance?

❏Is the standby employee appropriately trained

and equipped to handle an emergency?

❏Are employees prohibited from entering the

confined space without lifelines and respiratory equipment if there is any question as to

the cause of an emergency?

❏Is approved respiratory equipment required if

the atmosphere inside the confined space cannot be made acceptable?

❏Is all portable electrical equipment used inside

confined spaces either grounded and insulated

or equipped with ground fault protection?

❏Are compressed gas bottles forbidden inside

the confined space?

❏Before gas welding or burning is started in a

confined space, are hoses checked for leaks,

torches lighted only outside the confined area

and the confined area tested for an explosive

atmosphere each time before a lighted torch is

taken into the confined space?

❏If employees will be using oxygen-consuming
❏Are welders and other nearby workers provided with flash shields during welding operations?

❏If forklifts and other vehicles are used in buildings or other enclosed areas, are the carbon

monoxide levels kept below maximum acceptable concentration?

❏Has there been a determination that noise levels in the facilities are within acceptable levels?

❏Are steps being taken to use engineering controls to reduce excessive noise levels?

❏Are proper precautions being taken when handling asbestos and other fibrous materials?

❏Are caution labels and signs used to warn of

hazardous substances (e.g., asbestos) and biohazards (e.g., bloodborne pathogens)?

❏Are wet methods used, when practicable, to

prevent the emission of airborne asbestos

fibers, silica dust and similar hazardous materials?

❏Are engineering controls examined and maintained or replaced on a scheduled basis?

❏Is vacuuming with appropriate equipment

used whenever possible rather than blowing

or sweeping dust?

❏Are grinders, saws and other machines that

produce respirable dusts vented to an industrial collector or central exhaust system?

❏Are all local exhaust ventilation systems designed to provide sufficient air flow and volume for the application, and are ducts not

plugged and belts not slipping?

❏Is PPE provided, used and maintained wherever required?

❏Are there written standard operating procedures for the selection and use of respirators

where needed?

❏Are restrooms and washrooms kept clean and

sanitary?

❏Is all water provided for drinking, washing and

cooking potable?

❏Are all outlets for water that is not suitable for

drinking clearly identified?

❏Are employees’ physical capacities assessed

before they are assigned to jobs requiring

heavy work?

❏Are employees instructed in the proper manner for lifting heavy objects?

❏ Where heat is a problem, have all fixed work

areas been provided with spot cooling or air

conditioning?

❏Are employees screened before assignment to

areas of high heat to determine if their health

might make them more susceptible to having

an adverse reaction?

❏Are employees working on streets and roadways who are exposed to the hazards of traffic

required to wear bright colored (traffic orange)

warning vests?

❏Are exhaust stacks and air intakes located so

that nearby contaminated air will not be recirculated within a building or other enclosed area?

❏Is equipment producing ultraviolet radiation

properly shielded?

❏Are universal precautions observed where

occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials can occur and in

all instances where differentiation of types of

body fluids or potentially infectious materials

is difficult or impossible?

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS

❏Are combustible scrap, debris and waste

materials (oily rags, etc.) stored in covered

metal receptacles and promptly removed from

the worksite?

❏Is proper storage practiced to minimize the risk

of fire, including spontaneous combustion?

❏Are approved containers and tanks used to

store and handle flammable and combustible

liquids?

❏Are all connections on drums and combustible

liquid piping, vapor and liquid tight?

❏Are all flammable liquids kept in closed containers when not in use (e.g., parts cleaning

tanks, pans, etc.)?

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❏ Where sprinkler systems are permanently

installed, are the nozzle heads so directed or

arranged that water will not be sprayed into

operating electrical switchboards and equipment?

❏Are safety cans used for dispensing flammable

or combustible liquids at the point of use?

❏Are all spills of flammable or combustible liquids cleaned up promptly?

❏Are storage tanks adequately vented to prevent the development of excessive vacuum or

pressure as a result of filling, emptying, or

atmosphere temperature changes?

❏Are storage tanks equipped with emergency

venting that will relieve excessive internal

pressure caused by fire exposure?

❏Are rules enforced in areas involving storage

and use of hazardous materials?

HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL EXPOSURE

❏Are employees aware of the potential hazards

and trained in safe handling practices for situations involving various chemicals stored or

used in the workplace such as acids, bases,

caustics, epoxies, phenols, etc.?

❏Is employee exposure to chemicals kept within

acceptable levels?

❏Are eye-wash fountains and safety showers

provided in areas where corrosive chemicals

are handled?

❏Are all containers, such as vats, storage tanks,

etc., labeled as to their contents, e.g., “CAUSTICS”?

❏Are all employees required to use personal

protective clothing and equipment when handling chemicals (gloves, eye protection, respirators, etc.)?

❏Are flammable or toxic chemicals kept in

closed containers when not in use?

❏Are chemical piping systems clearly marked as

to their content?

❏ Where corrosive liquids are frequently handled

in open containers or drawn from storage vessels or pipelines, are adequate means readily

❏Are bulk drums of flammable liquids grounded

and bonded to containers during dispensing?

❏Do storage rooms for flammable and combustible liquids have explosion-proof lights

and mechanical or gravity ventilation?

❏Is liquefied petroleum gas stored, handled

and used in accordance with safe practices

and standards?

❏Are “NO SMOKING” signs posted on liquefied

petroleum gas tanks and in areas where flammable or combustible materials are used or

stored?

❏Are liquefied petroleum storage tanks guarded

to prevent damage from vehicles?

❏Are all solvent wastes and flammable liquids

kept in fire-resistant, covered containers until

they are removed from the worksite?

❏Is vacuuming used whenever possible rather

than blowing or sweeping combustible dust?

❏Are firm separators placed between containers

of combustibles or flammables that are stacked one upon another to ensure their support

and stability?

❏Are fuel gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders

separated by distance and fire-resistant barriers while in storage?

❏Are fire extinguishers selected and provided

for the types of materials in the areas where

they are to be used?

Class A - Ordinary combustible material fires.

Class B - Flammable liquid, gas or grease fires.

Class C - Energized-electrical equipment fires.

❏Are appropriate fire extinguishers mounted

within 75 feet (22.86 meters) of outside areas

containing flammable liquids and within 10

feet (3.048 meters) of any inside storage area

for such materials?

❏Are extinguishers free from obstructions or

blockage?

❏Are all extinguishers serviced, maintained and

tagged at intervals not to exceed one year?

❏Are all extinguishers fully charged and in their

designated places?
available for neutralizing or disposing of spills or

overflows and performed properly and safely?

❏Are standard operating procedures established

and are they being followed when cleaning up

chemical spills?

❏Are respirators stored in a convenient, clean

and sanitary location, and are they adequate

for emergencies?

❏Are employees prohibited from eating in areas

where hazardous chemicals are present?

❏Is PPE used and maintained whenever necessary?

❏Are there written standard operating procedures for the selection and use of respirators

where needed?

❏If you have a respirator protection program,

are your employees instructed on the correct

usage and limitations of the respirators?

Are the respirators National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-

approved for this particular application?

Are they regularly inspected, cleaned, sanitized and maintained?

❏If hazardous substances are used in your processes, do you have a medical or biological

monitoring system in operation?

❏Are you familiar with the threshold limit values

or permissible exposure limits of airborne contaminants and physical agents used in your

workplace?

❏Have appropriate control procedures been

instituted for hazardous materials, including

safe handling practices and the use of respirators and ventilation systems?

❏ Whenever possible, are hazardous substances

handled in properly designed and exhausted

booths or similar locations?

❏Do you use general dilution or local exhaust

ventilation systems to control dusts, vapors,

gases, fumes, smoke, solvents, or mists that

may be generated in your workplace?

❏Is operational ventilation equipment provided

for removal of contaminants from production

grinding, buffing, spray painting, and/or vapor

degreasing?

❏Do employees complain about dizziness,

headaches, nausea, irritation, or other factors

of discomfort when they use solvents or other

chemicals?

❏Is there a dermatitis problem? Do employees

complain about dryness, irritation, or sensitization of the skin?

❏Have you considered having an industrial

hygienist or environmental health specialist

evaluate your operation?

❏If internal combustion engines are used, is carbon monoxide kept within acceptable levels?

❏Is vacuuming used rather than blowing or

sweeping dust whenever possible for cleanup?

❏Are materials that give off toxic, asphyxiant,

suffocating, or anesthetic fumes stored in

remote or isolated locations when not in use?

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES COMMUNICATION

❏Is there a list of hazardous substances used in

your workplace and an MSDS readily available

for each hazardous substance used?

❏Is there a current written exposure control plan

for occupational exposure to bloodborne

pathogens and other potentially infectious

materials, where applicable?

❏Is there a written hazard communication program dealing with MSDSs, labeling and

employee training?

❏Is each container for a hazardous substance

(i.e., vats, bottles, storage tanks, etc.) labeled

with product identity and a hazard warning

(communication of the specific health hazards

and physical hazards)?

❏Is there an employee training program for hazardous substances that includes:

■ an explanation of what an MSDS is and how

to use and obtain one;

■ MSDS contents for each hazardous substance

or class of substances;

■ explanation of “A Right to Know”;

■ identification of where an employee can see

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■ information on post-exposure evaluations and

follow-up; and

■ an explanation of signs, labels and color

coding.

❏Are employees trained in:

■ how to recognize tasks that might result in

occupational exposure;

■ how to use work practice, engineering controls and PPE, and their limitations;

■ how to obtain information on the types, selection, proper use, location, removal, handling,

decontamination and disposal of PPE; and

■ who to contact and what to do in an emergency.

ELECTRICAL

❏Do you require compliance with OSHA standards for all contract electrical work?

❏Are all employees required to report any obvious hazard to life or property in connection

with electrical equipment or lines as soon as

possible?

❏Are employees instructed to make preliminary

inspections and/or appropriate tests to determine conditions before starting work on electrical equipment or lines?

❏ When electrical equipment or lines are to be

serviced, maintained, or adjusted, are necessary switches opened, locked out or tagged,

whenever possible?

❏Are portable electrical tools and equipment

grounded or of the double insulated type?

❏Are electrical appliances such as vacuum

cleaners, polishers, vending machines, etc.,

grounded?

❏Do extension cords have a grounding conductor?

❏Are multiple plug adaptors prohibited?

❏Are ground-fault circuit interrupters installed

on each temporary 15 or 20 ampere, 120 volt

alternating current (AC) circuit at locations

where construction, demolition, modifications,

the written hazard communication program;

■ location of physical and health hazards in particular work areas and the specific protective

measures to be used; and

■ details of the hazard communication program,

including how to use the labeling system and

MSDSs.

❏Does the employee training program on the

bloodborne pathogens standard contain the

following elements:

■ an accessible copy of the standard and an

explanation of its contents;

■ a general explanation of the epidemiology and

symptoms of bloodborne diseases;

■ an explanation of the modes of transmission

of Bloodborne Pathogens;

■ an explanation of the employer’s exposure

control plan and the means by which employees can obtain a copy of the written plan;

■ an explanation of the appropriate methods for

recognizing tasks and the other activities that

may involve exposure to blood and other

potentially infectious materials;

■ an explanation of the use and limitations of

methods that will prevent or reduce exposure,

including appropriate engineering controls,

work practices and PPE;

■ information on the types, proper use, location,

removal, handling, decontamination and disposal of PPE;

■ an explanation of the basis for selection of

PPE;

■ information on the hepatitis B vaccine;

■ information on the appropriate actions to take

and persons to contact in an emergency involving blood or other potentially infectious

materials;

■ an explanation of the procedure to follow if an

exposure incident occurs, including the methods of reporting the incident and the medical

follow-up that will be made available;
alterations, or excavations are being performed?

❏Are all temporary circuits protected by suitable

disconnecting switches or plug connectors at

the junction with permanent wiring?

❏Do you have electrical installations in hazardous dust or vapor areas? If so, do they

meet the National Electrical Code (NEC) for

hazardous locations?

❏Are exposed wiring and cords with frayed or

deteriorated insulation repaired or replaced

promptly?

❏Are flexible cords and cables free of splices or

taps?

❏Are clamps or other securing means provided

on flexible cords or cables at plugs, receptacles, tools, equipment, etc., and is the cord

jacket securely held in place?

❏Are all cord, cable and raceway connections

intact and secure?

❏In wet or damp locations, are electrical tools

and equipment appropriate for the use or location or otherwise protected?

❏Is the location of electrical power lines and

cables (overhead, underground, under floor,

other side of walls, etc.) determined before

digging, drilling, or similar work is begun?

❏Are metal measuring tapes, ropes, hand-lines

or similar devices with metallic thread woven

into the fabric prohibited where they could

come in contact with energized parts of equipment or circuit conductors?

❏Is the use of metal ladders prohibited where

the ladder or the person using the ladder

could come in contact with energized parts of

equipment, fixtures, or circuit conductors?

❏Are all disconnecting switches and circuit

breakers labeled to indicate their use or equipment served?

❏Are disconnecting means always opened

before fuses are replaced?

❏Do all interior wiring systems include provisions for grounding metal parts of electrical

raceways, equipment and enclosures?

❏Are all electrical raceways and enclosures

securely fastened in place?

❏Are all energized parts of electrical circuits and

equipment guarded against accidental contact

by approved cabinets or enclosures?

❏Is sufficient access and working space provided and maintained around all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operations and

maintenance?

❏Are all unused openings (including conduit

knockouts) in electrical enclosures and fittings

closed with appropriate covers, plugs, or

plates?

❏Are electrical enclosures such as switches, receptacles, junction boxes, etc., provided with

tight-fitting covers or plates?

❏Are disconnecting switches for electrical

motors in excess of two horsepower able to

open the circuit when the motor is stalled

without exploding? (Switches must be horsepower rated equal to or in excess of the motor

rating.)

❏Is low voltage protection provided in the control device of motors driving machines or

equipment that could cause injury from inadvertent starting?

❏Is each motor disconnecting switch or circuit

breaker located within sight of the motor control device?

❏Is each motor located within sight of its controller or is the controller disconnecting means

able to be locked open or is a separate disconnecting means installed in the circuit within

sight of the motor?

❏Is the controller for each motor that exceeds

two horsepower rated equal to or above the

rating of the motor it serves?

❏Are employees who regularly work on or

around energized electrical equipment or lines

instructed in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

(CPR)?

❏Are employees prohibited from working alone

on energized lines or equipment over 600

volts?

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❏In fueling operations, is there always metal

contact between the container and the fuel

tank?

❏Are fueling hoses designed to handle the specific type of fuel?

❏Are employees prohibited from handling or

transferring gasoline in open containers?

❏Are open lights, open flames, sparking, or arcing equipment prohibited near fueling or

transfer of fuel operations?

❏Is smoking prohibited in the vicinity of fueling

operations?

❏Are fueling operations prohibited in buildings

or other enclosed areas that are not specifically ventilated for this purpose?

❏ Where fueling or transfer of fuel is done

through a gravity flow system, are the nozzles

self-closing?

IDENTIFICATION OF PIPING SYSTEMS

❏ When nonpotable water is piped through a

facility, are outlets or taps posted to alert

employees that the water is unsafe and not to

be used for drinking, washing, or other personal use?

❏ When hazardous substances are transported

through above-ground piping, is each pipeline

identified at points where confusion could

introduce hazards to employees?

❏ When pipelines are identified by color painted

bands or tapes, are the bands or tapes located

at reasonable intervals and at each outlet,

valve, or connection, and are all visible parts

of the line so identified?

❏ When pipelines are identified by color, is the

color code posted at all locations where confusion could introduce hazards to employees?

❏ When the contents of pipelines are identified

by name or name abbreviation, is the information readily visible on the pipe near each valve

or outlet?

❏ When pipelines carrying hazardous substances

are identified by tags, are the tags constructed

of durable materials, the message printed

NOISE

❏Are there areas in the workplace where continuous noise levels exceed 85 decibels?

❏Is there an ongoing preventive health program

to educate employees in safe levels of noise,

exposures, effects of noise on their health and

the use of personal protection?

❏Have work areas where noise levels make

voice communication between employees difficult been identified and posted?

❏Are noise levels measured with a sound level

meter or an octave band analyzer and are

records being kept?

❏Have engineering controls been used to

reduce excessive noise levels? Where engineering controls are determined to be infeasible, are administrative controls (i.e., worker

rotation) being used to minimize individual

employee exposure to noise?

❏Is approved hearing protective equipment

(noise attenuating devices) available to every

employee working in noisy areas?

❏Have you tried isolating noisy machinery from

the rest of your operation?

❏If you use ear protectors, are employees properly fitted and instructed in their use?

❏Are employees in high noise areas given periodic audiometric testing to ensure that you

have an effective hearing protection system?

FUELING

❏Are employees prohibited from fueling an

internal combustion engine with a flammable

liquid while the engine is running?

❏Are fueling operations performed to minimize

spillage?

❏ When spillage occurs during fueling operations, is the spilled fuel washed away completely, evaporated, or are other measures

taken to control vapors before restarting the

engine?

❏Are fuel tank caps replaced and secured before

starting the engine?
clearly and permanently, and are tags installed

at each valve or outlet?

❏ When pipelines are heated by electricity,

steam, or other external source, are suitable

warning signs or tags placed at unions, valves,

or other serviceable parts of the system?

MATERIALS HANDLING

❏Is there safe clearance for equipment through

aisles and doorways?

❏Are aisleways permanently marked and kept

clear to allow unhindered passage?

❏Are motorized vehicles and mechanized equipment inspected daily or prior to use?

❏Are vehicles shut off and brakes set prior to

loading or unloading?

❏Are containers of liquid combustibles or flammables, when stacked while being moved,

always protected by dunnage (packing material) sufficient to provide stability?

❏Are dock boards (bridge plates) used when

loading or unloading operations are taking

place between vehicles and docks?

❏Are trucks and trailers secured from movement during loading and unloading operations?

❏Are dock plates and loading ramps constructed and maintained with sufficient strength to

support imposed loading?

❏Are hand trucks maintained in safe operating

condition?

❏Are chutes equipped with sideboards of sufficient height to prevent the materials being

handled from falling off?

❏Are chutes and gravity roller sections firmly

placed or secured to prevent displacement?

❏Are provisions made to brake the movement

of the handled materials at the delivery end of

rollers or chutes?

❏Are pallets usually inspected before being

loaded or moved?

❏Are safety latches and other devices being

used to prevent slippage of materials off of

hoisting hooks?

❏Are securing chains, ropes, chockers, or slings

adequate for the job?

❏Are provisions made to ensure that no one is

below when hoisting material or equipment?

❏Are MSDSs available to employees handling

hazardous substances?

TRANSPORTING EMPLOYEES AND MATERIALS

❏Do employees who operate vehicles on public

thoroughfares have valid operator’s licenses?

❏ When seven or more employees are regularly

transported in a van, bus, or truck, is the operator’s license appropriate for the class of vehicle being driven and are there enough seats?

❏Are vehicles used to transport employees

equipped with lamps, brakes, horns, mirrors,

windshields and turn signals, and are they in

good repair?

❏Are transport vehicles provided with handrails,

steps, stirrups, or similar devices, placed and

arranged to allow employees to safely mount

or dismount?

❏Are employee transport vehicles equipped at

all times with at least two reflective-type

flares?

❏Is a fully charged fire extinguisher, in good

condition, with at least a 4 B:C rating maintained in each employee transport vehicle?

❏ When cutting tools or tools with sharp edges

are carried in passenger compartments of

employee transport vehicles, are they placed

in closed boxes or containers that are secured

in place?

❏Are employees prohibited from riding on top

of any load that could shift, topple, or otherwise become unstable?

CONTROL OF HARMFUL SUBSTANCES

BY VENTILATION

❏Is the volume and velocity of air in each exhaust system sufficient to gather the dusts,

fumes, mists, vapors, or gases to be controlled, and to convey them to a suitable point of

disposal?

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❏ When employees are required to change from

street clothing into protective clothing, is a

clean change room with a separate storage

facility for street and protective clothing provided?

❏Are employees required to shower and wash

their hair as soon as possible after a known

contact with a carcinogen has occurred?

❏ When equipment, materials, or other items are

taken into or removed from a carcinogen-regulated area, is it done in a manner that will not

contaminate non-regulated areas or the external environment?

TIRE INFLATION

❏ Where tires are mounted and/or inflated on

drop center wheels or on wheels with split

rims and/or retainer rings, is a safe practice

procedure posted and enforced?

❏Does each tire inflation hose have a clip-on

chuck with at least 2.54 inches (6.45 centimeters) of hose between the chuck and an in-line

hand valve and gauge?

❏Does the tire inflation control valve automatically shut off the air flow when the valve is

released?

❏Is a tire restraining device such as a cage, rack,

or other effective means used while inflating

tires mounted on split rims or rims using

retainer rings?

❏Are employees prohibited from standing

directly over or in front of a tire while it is

being inflated?

❏Are exhaust inlets, ducts and plenums designed, constructed and supported to prevent

collapse or failure of any part of the system?

❏Are clean-out ports or doors provided at intervals not to exceed 12 feet (3.6576 meters) in all

horizontal runs of exhaust ducts?

❏ Where two or more different operations are

being controlled through the same exhaust

system, could the combination of substances

involved create a fire, explosion, or chemical

reaction hazard in the duct?

❏Is adequate makeup air provided to areas

where exhaust systems are operating?

❏Is the source point for makeup air located so

that only clean, fresh air, free of contaminants

will enter the work environment?

❏ Where two or more ventilation systems serve

a work area, is their operation such that one

will not offset the functions of the other?

SANITIZING EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING

❏Is required personal protective clothing or

equipment able to be cleaned and disinfected

easily?

❏Are employees prohibited from interchanging

personal protective clothing or equipment,

unless it has been properly cleaned?

❏Are machines and equipment that process,

handle, or apply materials that could injure

employees cleaned and/or decontaminated

before being overhauled or placed in storage?

❏Are employees prohibited from smoking or

eating in any area where contaminants are

present that could be injurious if ingested?
OSHA Assistance

OSHA’S OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

OSHA created the Office of Small Business

Assistance to help small business employers

understand their safety and health obligations,

access compliance information, provide guidance

in regulatory standards, and to educate them about

cost-effective means for ensuring the safety and

health of worksites.

OSHA’s Office of Small Business Assistance can

be contacted by telephone at (202) 693-2220 or by

writing to the U.S. Department of Labor, 200

Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-3700,

Washington, DC 20210.

ON-SITE CONSULTATION

Using the free and confidential on-site consultation service largely funded by the Federal OSHA,

employers can find out about potential hazards at

their worksites, improve their occupational safety

and health management systems, and even qualify

for a one-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections.

The service is delivered at your workplace by

state governments using well-trained professional

staff. Most consultations take place on-site, though

limited services away from the worksite are available.

Primarily targeted for smaller businesses, this

safety and health Consultation Program is completely separate from OSHA’s enforcement efforts.

It is also confidential. No inspections are triggered

by using the Consultation Program and no citations

are issued or penalties proposed.

Your name, your firm’s name and any information you provide about your workplace, plus any

unsafe or unhealthful working conditions that the

consultant uncovers, will not routinely be reported

to the OSHA enforcement staff.

Your only obligation will be to commit to correcting serious job safety and health hazards discovered -- a commitment that you are expected to

make prior to the actual consultation visit. If hazards are discovered, the consultant will work with

you to ensure they are corrected in a reasonable

timeframe agreed upon by all parties.

Getting Started. Since consultation is a voluntary activity, you must request it. Your telephone

call or letter sets the consulting machinery in

motion. The consultant will discuss your specific

needs and set up a visit date based on the priority

assigned to your request, your work schedule and

the time needed for the consultant to prepare adequately to serve you. OSHA encourages a complete review of your firm’s safety and health situation; however, if you wish, you may limit the visit

to one or more specific problems.

Opening Conference. When the consultant

arrives at your worksite for the scheduled visit, he

or she will first meet with you in an opening conference to briefly review the consultant’s role and

the obligations you incur as an employer.

Walk-through. Together, you and the consultant

will examine conditions in your workplace. OSHA

strongly encourages maximum employee participation in the walk-through. Better informed and

alert employees can help you identify and correct

potential injury and illness hazards in your workplace. Talking with employees during the walkthrough helps the consultant identify and judge the

nature and extent of specific hazards.

The consultant will study your entire workplace,

or only those specific operations you designate,

and discuss applicable OSHA standards. The consultant also will point out other safety or health

risks which might not be cited under OSHA standards, but which nevertheless may pose safety or

health risks to your employees. He or she may

suggest and even provide measures such as selfinspection and safety and health training that you

and your employees can apply to prevent future

hazardous situations.

A comprehensive consultation also includes: (1)

appraisal of all mechanical and environmental hazards and physical work practices; (2) appraisal of

the present job safety and health program or help

in establishing one; (3) a conference with management on findings; (4) a written report of recommendations and agreements; and (5) training and

assistance with implementing recommendations.

Closing Conference. The consultant will then

review detailed findings with you in a closing conference. You will learn not only what you need to

improve but what you are doing right, as well. At

that time you can discuss problems, possible solutions and abatement periods to eliminate or control

any serious hazards identified during the walk-through.

In rare instances, the consultant may find an

“imminent danger” situation during the walkthrough. In that case, you must take immediate

action to protect employees. In certain other situa40

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

ASSISTANCE IN SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
41

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

that may introduce new hazards. Employers who

meet these specific SHARP requirements may be

removed from OSHA’s programmed inspection list

for one year.

The on-site consultants will:

■ help you recognize hazards in your workplace,

■ suggest general approaches or options for

solving a safety or health problem,

■ identify kinds of help available if you need further assistance,

■ provide you with a written report summarizing

findings,

■ assist you in developing or maintaining an

effective safety and health program,

■ provide training and education for you and

your employees,

■ recommend you for a one-year exclusion from

OSHA programmed inspections, once program criteria are met.

The on-site consultants will not:

■ issue citations or propose penalties for violations of OSHA standards,

■ report possible violations to OSHA enforcement staff,

■ guarantee that your workplace will “pass” an

OSHA inspection.

For a list of consultation projects in each state,

see the OSHA website at www.osha.gov/dcsp/

smallbusiness/consult_directory.html.

OTHER COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS

Information about OSHA’s different cooperative

programs is available from any OSHA Regional

Office, OSHA Area Office, or by contacting OSHA’s

Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at

the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety

and Health Administration, 200 Constitution

Avenue, NW, Room N-3700, Washington, DC

20210, phone (202) 693-2200.

tions–those that would be judged a “serious violation” under OSHA criteria–you and the consultant

must develop and agree to a reasonable plan and

schedule to eliminate or control that hazard. The

consultant will offer general approaches and options to you. He or she may also suggest other

sources for technical help.

Abatement and Follow-through. Following the

closing conference, the consultant will send you a

detailed written report explaining the findings and

confirming any abatement periods agreed upon.

The consultant may also contact you from time to

time to check your progress. You, of course, may

always contact him or her for assistance.

Ultimately, OSHA does require hazard abatement so that each consultation visit achieves its

objective–effective employee protection. If you fail

to eliminate or control identified serious hazards

(or an imminent danger) according to the plan and

within the limits agreed upon or an agreed-upon

extension, the situation must be referred from consultation to an OSHA enforcement office for appropriate action. This type of referral is extremely rare.

Benefits. Knowledge of your workplace hazards

and ways to eliminate them can only improve your

own operations–and the management of your firm.

You will get professional advice and assistance on

the correction of workplace hazards and benefit

from on-site training and assistance provided. The

consultant can help you establish or strengthen an

employee safety and health program, making safety and health activities routine rather than crisisoriented responses.

In many states, employers may participate in

OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement

Recognition Program (SHARP). This program is

designed to provide incentives and support to

smaller, high-hazard employers to develop, implement and continuously improve effective safety

and health programs at their worksite(s). SHARP

provides recognition of employers who have

demonstrated exemplary achievements in workplace safety and health, beginning with a comprehensive safety and health consultation visit, correction of all workplace safety and health hazards,

adoption and implementation of effective safety

and health management systems, and agreement

to request further consultative visits if major

changes in working conditions or processes occur
VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAMS (VPP)

OSHA’s VPP provide an opportunity for labor,

management and government to work together

cooperatively to further the goal of providing effective safety and health protection in the workplace.

The VPP grant recognition to worksites that provide

or are committed to providing effective protection

for their employees through implementation of

systematically managed safety and health programs. The Star Program is for worksites that have

at least one year’s experience with an effectively

implemented safety and health program. The

Merit Program is for worksites working toward an

effectively implemented program. The Star

Demonstration Program is for worksites with programs at Star quality but with some aspect of their

program that requires further study by OSHA. All

participants work in partnership with OSHA and

provide models for OSHA and for their industries.

OSHA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (OSPP)

OSPP is designed to enable groups of employers, employees and employee representatives to

partner with OSHA and enter into an extended, voluntary, cooperative relationship in order to encourage, assist and recognize efforts to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of worker

safety and health.

OSHA ALLIANCE PROGRAM

Alliances are goal-oriented written agreements

between OSHA and organizations to work together

to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Organizations include employers, employees, labor unions,

trade or professional groups, educational institutions and government agencies. Alliances focus on

one or more of the following goals: training and

education, outreach and communications, and promoting the national dialogue on occupational safety and health.

States with Approved Plans

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

encourages states to develop and operate their

own job safety and health programs. OSHA

approves and monitors state plans and provides up

to 50 percent of an approved plan’s operating costs.

Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin

Islands currently operate approved state plans.

These state plans operate under authority of state

law and are required to be, in structure and performance, “at least as effective as” the Federal

OSHA Program. Although many states have

adopted standards and procedures identical to

Federal standards, states may have different or

additional requirements parallel to those described

in the Federal program.

To determine which set of standards and regulations apply to you, you need to know whether you

are covered by a state plan or subject to Federal

OSHA. Please visit http://www.oshaslc.gov/fso/osp

/index.html, call the OSHA Area Office nearest you,

or (800) 321-OSHA to obtain this information.

If you are subject to state enforcement, the

OSHA Area Office will refer you to your state office

which can provide all relevant information, such as

whether the state is using the Federal standards,

information on the poster and recordkeeping

requirements, and special services available to

small businesses. The state office also can provide

you with further assistance, including directing you

to the free, on-site consultation services described

above.

See the list of OSHA-approved state plans at

www.osha.gov.

OSHA Publications

A single free copy of the following materials can be

obtained from the OSHA Area or Regional Office,

or contact the OSHA Publications Office, U.S.

Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue,

NW, N-3101, Washington, DC 20210, or call (202)

693-1888, or fax (202) 693-2498.

Access to Medical and Exposure Records –

OSHA 3110

All About OSHA – OSHA 3302

Asbestos Standard for the Construction Industry –

OSHA 3096

Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) –

OSHA 3120

EmployeeWorkplace Rights – OSHA 3021

Employer Rights and Responsibilities Following

an OSHA Inspection – OSHA 3000

(Spanish version 3195)

Hand and PowerTools – OSHA 3080

42

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
43

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

For further information on any OSHA program,

contact your nearest OSHA Area or Regional Office

or call (800) 321-OSHA.

Other Sources of Assistance

VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAMS

PARTICIPANTS’ ASSOCIATION (VPPPA)

The VPPPA is a private organization made up of

VPP participant companies. The VPPPA has members in most states where the Federal OSHA program operates and in many states where state

plans are in force. The VPPPA is willing to provide

information, outreach, and mentoring to help worksites improve their safety and health programs.

Chapters of the national association have been

formed in most OSHA regions. Members of these

chapters also are willing to provide the kind of

assistance provided by the national organization.

To contact your regional chapter of the VPPPA, call

or write the OSHA Regional Office listed in the back

of this publication for the address and telephone

number of the chapter in your region. To contact

the VPPPA national organization, please call (703)

761-1146 or write to the following address:

Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’

Association

7600 East Leesburg Pike, Suite 440

Falls Church, VA 22043

(703) 761-1146

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

administers the Small Business Development

Center Program to provide management and technical assistance to current and prospective small

business owners. There is a Small Business

Development Center (SBDC) in every state, the

District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa,

and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with more than 1,000

service centers across the country. SBDC assistance is tailored to the local community and the

needs of individual clients and designed to deliver

up-to-date counseling, training, and technical assistance. Services could include helping small businesses with financial, marketing, production,

organization, engineering, and technical problems.

How to Plan forWorkplace Emergencies and

Evacuations – OSHA 3088

Job Safety and Health Protection Poster –

OSHA 3165

Job Hazard Analysis – OSHA 3071

Model Plans & Programs for the OSHA Bloodborne

Pathogens and Hazard Communications Standards

– OSHA 3186

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act –

OSHA 2001

Personal Protective Equipment – OSHA 3151

Servicing Single-Piece and Multi-Piece RimWheels –

OSHA 3086

The following publications are available from

the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO),

Superintendent of Documents, Washington, DC

20402, phone toll-free (866) 512-1800, fax (202) 512-

2250. Include GPO Order Number and make

checks payable to Superintendent of Documents.

All prices are subject to change by GPO.

Hazard Communication: A Compliance Kit –

OSHA 3111

Order No. 029-016-00200-6. Cost: $21.00

Construction Industry Digest – OSHA 2202

Order No. 029-016-00212-0. Cost: $8.00

Materials Handling and Storing – OSHA 2236

Order No. 029-016-00215-4. Cost: $3.75

Internet—There is an enormous amount of compliance assistance information on OSHA’s website

that can be useful to the small business owner,

found at http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_

assistance/index.html. OSHA standards, interpretations, directives and additional information are

also available at http://www.osha.gov/ and

http://www.osha-slc.gov/.

CD-ROM—A wide variety of OSHA materials,

including standards, interpretations, directives, and

more, can be purchased on CD-ROM from the U.S.

Government Printing Office, Superintendent of

Documents, phone toll-free (866) 512-1800.

Emergencies—For life-threatening situations, call

(800) 321-OSHA. Your call will be directed to the

nearest OSHA Area or state office for help.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL

SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH)

NIOSH is a research agency in the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services. (OSHA

is a regulatory agency in the U.S. Department of

Labor). NIOSH conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent work-related illness and

injury. NIOSH has produced a useful guide, Safety

and Health Resource Guide for Small Businesses,

with telephone numbers, e-mail and Internet addresses, and mailing information to enable small

businesses to contact government agencies, private organizations, consultants, and others who

can help with occupational safety and health issues. The NIOSH toll-free phone number is (800)

356-4674, and its website address is www.cdc.

gov/niosh.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CARRIERS AND

OTHER INSURANCE COMPANIES

Many workers’ compensation carriers, as well

as many liability and fire insurance companies,

conduct periodic inspections and visits to evaluate

safety and health hazards. Managers of small and

medium-sized businesses need to know what services are available from these sources. Contact your

carrier and see what it has to offer.

TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND EMPLOYER GROUPS

Because of the increase in job safety and health

awareness resulting from OSHA activities, many

trade associations and employer groups have put a

new emphasis on safety and health matters to better serve their members. If you are a member of

such a group, find out how it is assisting its members. If you are not a member, find out if these

groups are circulating their materials to nonmembers, as many do.

TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYEE GROUPS

If your employees are organized, set up some

communications, as you do in normal labor relations, to get coordinated action on hazards in your

business. Safety and health is one area where

advance planning will produce action on common

goals. Many trade unions have safety and health

expertise that they are willing to share.

THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL AND

LOCAL CHAPTERS

The National Safety Council (NSC) has a broad

range of information services available. If you

have a local chapter of the NSC in your area, you

can call or visit to see how you can use materials

pertaining to your business. If there is no chapter

nearby, you can write to:

National Safety Council

1121 Spring Lake Drive

Itasca, IL 60143-3201

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

The following professional associations are an

additional resource that may be able to provide

assistance to you:

American Society of Safety Engineers

1800 East Oakton Street

Des Plaines, IL 60018-2187

American Industrial Hygiene Association

2700 Prosperity Avenue

Suite 250

Fairfax, VA 22031-4319

American Conference of Governmental

Industrial Hygienists

1330 Kemper Meadow Drive

Cincinnati, OH 45240

SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONSULTATION

Talk to your local doctors or clinics for advice on

workplace medical matters on a consulting basis.

Contact your local Red Cross chapter for assistance

in first-aid training. If you cannot identify a local

chapter, call (800) 667-2968 or write to:

American National Red Cross

National Headquarters

Safety Programs

2025 E Street, NW

Washington, DC 20006

YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

Many local or university libraries contain information on specific safety and health subjects per44

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
45

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

Interest rate information on SBA loans may be

obtained from any SBA office. They fluctuate but

are generally lower than you can obtain elsewhere.

You may wish to consult your own bank. It pays to

shop around for loans.

Don’t forget to check with your accountant at

income tax time, since safety and health improvements can often be expensed or depreciated.

ADDITIONALWEB PAGES OF INTEREST

TO SMALL BUSINESSES

(Internet websites change frequently; these listings may not be current.)

http://www.firstgov.gov

A website for all agencies of the Federal government.

http://www.sba.gov

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s home

page.

http://www.businesslaw.gov

Legal and regulatory information for small businesses by state.

http://www.regulations.gov

A site to enable small business owners to find all

Federal regulations that are open for comment, to

read them and to submit their views.

http://www.assistancecenters.net/

For help with understanding environmental regulations that relate to the operation of your business.

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html

This Internal Revenue Service website offers industry- and profession-specific tax information and

guidelines.

taining to your business. These materials are usually in reference rooms or technical subject areas.

Ask your librarian what is available. The library

may be able to obtain materials for you through

inter-library loan, purchase, etc.

Two basic publications of the National Safety

Council will give you many sources of technical

information. The Accident Prevention Manual for

Industrial Operations is a basic reference book

for all safety and health work. The second book,

Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, contains excellent information on toxic materials and recommended health and hygiene practices. Both of

these references list other sources at the end of

each chapter that may help you in solving specific

problems.

FINANCINGWORKPLACE IMPROVEMENT

The SBA is authorized to make loans to assist

small businesses with meeting OSHA standards.

Because SBA’s definition of a “small” business

varies from industry to industry, contact your local

SBA field office to determine whether you qualify.

A helpful hint: if you decide to apply for an SBA

loan, experience indicates that most delays in processing SBA/OSHA loans are because applications

(1) do not adequately describe each workplace condition to be corrected and identify one or more

OSHA standards applicable to the condition to be

corrected, or (2) do not provide a reasonable estimate of the cost to correct each condition.

In most cases, safety hazards can be corrected

without financial assistance. Health hazards may

be more costly to correct. The age and condition

of the building and equipment are major factors to

be considered.
Major Action Steps to beTaken

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Priority Projected Actual

(Assign each Completion Completion

Step a Number) Date Date

46

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Appendix A: Overall Action Plan Worksheet
47

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

Specific Steps Required

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Persons Projected Problems/ Actual

Assigned Completion Delays Completion

Date Encountered Date

Description of Action to beTaken:

Action Steps
The following statements provide examples that

can be used or modified by employers to help prevent employee injury and illness.

“The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

clearly states our common goal of safe and healthful working conditions. The safety and health of

our employees continues to be the first consideration in the operation of this business. ”

“Safety and health in our business must be a part

of every operation. Without question it is every

employee’s responsibility at all levels. ”

“It is the intent of this company to comply with all

laws. To do this we must constantly be aware of

conditions in all work areas that can produce injuries. No employee is required to work at a job he

or she knows is not safe or healthful. Your cooperation in detecting hazards and, in turn, controlling

them is a condition of your employment. Inform

your supervisor immediately of any situation

beyond your ability or authority to correct. ”

“The personal safety and health of each employee

of this company is of primary importance. The

prevention of occupationally-induced injuries and

illnesses is of such consequence that it will be

given precedence over operating productivity

whenever necessary. To the greatest degree possible, management will provide all mechanical and

physical facilities required for personal safety and

health in keeping with the highest standards. ”

“We will maintain a safety and health program conforming to the best practices of organizations of

this type. To be successful, such a program must

embody the proper attitudes toward injury and illness prevention on the part of supervisors and

employees. It also requires cooperation in all safety and health matters, not only between supervisor

and employee, but also between each employee

and his or her co-workers. Only through such a

cooperative effort can a safety program in the best

interest of all be established and preserved. ”

“Our objective is a safety and health program that

will reduce the number of injuries and illnesses to

an absolute minimum, not merely in keeping with,

but surpassing, the best experience of operations

similar to ours. Our goal is zero accidents and injuries. ”

“Our safety and health program will include:

■ Providing mechanical and physical safeguards

to the maximum extent possible.

■ A program of safety and health inspections to

identify and eliminate unsafe working conditions or practices, to control health hazards,

and to comply fully with the safety and health

standards for every job.

■ Training all employees in good safety and

health practices.

■ Providing necessary personal protective

equipment and instructions for its use and

care.

■ Developing and enforcing safety and health

rules and requiring that employees cooperate

with these rules as a condition of employment.

■ Investigating, promptly and thoroughly, every

accident to find out what caused it and to correct the problem so that it won’t happen again.

■ Setting up a system of recognition and

awards for outstanding safety service or performance. ”

“We recognize that the responsibilities for safety

and health are shared:

■ The employer accepts responsibility for leadership of the safety and health program, for its

effectiveness and improvement, and for providing safe conditions.

■ Supervisors are responsible for developing

the proper attitudes toward safety and health

in themselves and in those they supervise,

and for ensuring that all operations are performed with the utmost regard for the safety

and health of all personnel involved, including

themselves.

■ Employees are responsible for compliance

with all rules and regulations and for continuously practicing safety while performing their

duties. ”

48

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Appendix B: Model Policy Statements
49

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

lines in a manner not within the scope of their

duties, unless they have received instructions from

their supervisor/employer.

10. All injuries shall be reported promptly to the

supervisor/employer so that arrangements can be

made for medical and/or first-aid treatment. Firstaid materials are located in ____________; emergency, fire, ambulance, rescue squad, and doctors’

telephone numbers are located ___________; and

fire extinguishers are located at ___________.

Suggested Safety Rules

■ Do not throw material, tools, or other objects

from heights (whether structures or buildings)

until proper precautions are taken to protect

others from the falling object hazard.

■ Wash thoroughly after handling injurious or

poisonous substances.

■ Gasoline shall not be used for cleaning purposes.

■ When using a ladder, always face the steps

and use both hands while climbing.

Use of Tools and Equipment

■ Keep faces of hammers in good condition to

avoid flying nails and bruised fingers.

■ Files shall be equipped with handles; never

use a file as a punch or pry.

■ Do not use a screwdriver as a chisel.

■ Do not lift or lower portable electric tools by

the power cords; use a rope.

■ Do not leave the cords of tools where cars or

trucks will run over them.

Machinery and Vehicles

■ Do not attempt to operate machinery or

equipment without special permission unless

it is part of your regular duties.

■ Loose or frayed clothing, dangling ties, finger

rings, etc., must not be worn around moving

machinery or other places where they can get

caught.

■ Machinery shall not be repaired or adjusted

while in operation.

This is a suggested code. It is general in nature

and includes many types of small business activities. It is intended only as a model that you can

customize to describe your own work environment.

General Policy

1. All employees of this firm shall follow these safe

practice rules, render every possible aid to safe

operations, and report all unsafe conditions or

practices to the supervisor/employer.

2. Supervisors shall insist that employees observe

and obey every rule, regulation, and order necessary to the safe conduct of the work and take such

action necessary to obtain compliance.

3. All employees shall be given frequent accident

prevention instructions. Instructions, practice drills,

and articles concerning workplace safety and

health shall be given at least once every _____

working days.

4. Anyone known to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs shall not be allowed on the job

while in that condition. Persons with symptoms of

alcohol and/or drug abuse are encouraged to discuss personal or work-related problems with the

supervisor/employer.

5. No one shall knowingly be permitted or required

to work while his or her ability or alertness is impaired by fatigue, illness, or other causes that

might expose the individual or others to injury.

6. Employees should be alert to see that all guards

and other protective devices are in proper places

and adjusted, and they shall report deficiencies.

Approved protective equipment shall be worn in

specified work areas.

7. Horseplay, scuffling, and other acts that tend to

endanger the safety or well-being of employees are

prohibited.

8. Work shall be well planned and supervised to

prevent injuries when working with equipment and

handling heavy materials. When lifting heavy

objects, employees should bend their knees and

use the large muscles of the legs instead of the

smaller muscles of the back. Back injuries are the

most frequent and often the most persistent and

painful type of workplace injury.

9. Workers shall not handle or tamper with any

electrical equipment, machinery, or air or water

Appendix C: Codes of Safe Practices
OSHA has four separate sets of standards: General

Industry (29 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR]

1910), Construction (29 CFR 1926), Maritime

Employment (29 CFR 1915-1919), and Agriculture

(29 CFR 1928). OSHA has regulations on posting

and other administrative matters in 29 CFR 1903

and on recording and reporting of injuries and illnesses in 29 CFR 1904.

The OSH Act also has a general duty clause, section 5(a)(1), 29 U.S.C. 654(b)(1), which provides

that:

(a) Each employer – –

(1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free

from recognized hazards that are causing or are

likely to cause death or serious physical harm to

his employees.

A recognized hazard is a danger recognized by the

employer’s industry or industry in general, by the

employer, or by common sense. The general duty

clause does not apply if there is an OSHA standard

dealing with the hazard, unless the employer

knows that the standard does not adequately

address the hazard.

General Industry, Maritime, and Construction

OSHA standards are available at www.osha.gov.

After you have obtained a copy of the current standards, identify those that apply to your business by

a process of elimination. Read the introduction to

the subpart heading, and then analyze the possible

hazards in terms of your workplace, your equipment, your materials and of your employees. For

example, if you are engaged in retail trade or service and you do not have compressed gases, flammables, or explosives on your premises, you can

eliminate Hazardous Materials (Subpart H) as not

applying to your business.

If you have any questions in determining whether a

standard is applicable to your workplace, you may

contact the nearest OSHA Area Office for assistance. Staff there should be able to answer any

questions you may have about standards and provide general guidelines on methods of implementation in your workplace. Small businesses are

encouraged to participate in the development of

standards.

50

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Appendix D: OSHA Job Safety and Health Standards,

Regulations and Requirements
51

Occupational Safety and

Health Administration

In 1996, Congress passed the Small Business

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, or SBREFA,

in response to concerns expressed by the small

business community that Federal regulations were

too numerous, too complex and too expensive to

implement. SBREFA was designed to give small

businesses assistance in understanding and complying with regulations and more of a voice in the

development of new regulations. Under SBREFA,

the Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) and other Federal agencies must:

■ Produce Small Entity Compliance Guides for

some rules;

■ Be responsive to small business inquiries

about compliance with the agency’s regulations;

■ Submit final rules to Congress for review;

■ Have a penalty reduction policy for small businesses; and

■ Involve small businesses in the development

of some proposed rules through Small

Business Advocacy Review Panels.

Commenting on Enforcement Actions

Under a law passed by Congress in 1996, the Small

Business Administration (SBA) has established an

SBA Ombudsman and SBA Regional Fairness

Boards to investigate small business complaints

about Federal agency enforcement actions.

If you are a small business and believe that you

have been treated unfairly by OSHA, you may file

an electronic comment/complaint with the SBA

Ombudsman over the Internet at:

http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman/comments/commentform1.html

Or you may contact the SBA's Office of the

National Ombudsman by:

■ Toll-Free Phone: (888) REG-FAIR (734-3247)

■ Fax: (202) 481-5719

■ E-mail: ombudsman@sba.gov

■ Mail: Office of the National Ombudsman

U.S. Small Business Administration

409 3rd Street, S.W., MC2120

Washington, DC 20416-0005

To view the SBREFA Act in its entirety, please

visit the following web link:

http://www.sba.gov/advo/laws/sbrefa.html

For more information on SBREFA the following

web links may prove helpful:

http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman/

http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman/dsp_overview.html

http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman/dsp_faq.html

http://www.sba.gov/advo/

http://www.sba.gov/advo/laws/is_oshapanel.html

NOTE: Filing a complaint with the SBA

Ombudsman does not affect any obligation that

you may have to comply with an OSHA citation or

other enforcement action. Nor does it mean that

you need not take other available legal steps to

protect your interests.

Appendix E: Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA)
52

OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Region VIII

(CO, MT, NO, SO, UT,* WY*)

1999 Broadway, Suite 1690

PO Box 46550

Denver, CO 80202-5716

(720) 264-6550

Region IX

(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* HI,* NV,* and Guam,

the Northern Mariana Islands and American

Samoa)

90 7th Street, Suite 18-100

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-2547

Region X

(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)

1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715

Seattle, WA 98101-3212

(206) 553-5930

* These states and territories operate their

own OSHA-approved job safety and health programs and cover state and local government

employees as well as private sector employees.

The Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and

Virgin Islands plans cover public employees only.

States with approved programs must have standards that are identical to, or at least as effective

as, the Federal OSHA standards.

Note: To get contact information for OSHA Area

Offices, OSHA-approved State Plans and OSHA

Consultation Projects, please visit us online at

www.osha.gov or call us at 1-800-321-0SHA.

Contact Information

The most complete and current information and email addresses for OSHA Regional and Area

Offices and the state Consultation Projects can be

found on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov/html/

oshdir.html or by contacting:

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs

Office of Small Business Assistance

200 Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20210

(800) 321-OSHA

OSHA Regional Offices

Region I

(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*)

JFK Federal Building, Room E340

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860

Region II

(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378

Region III

(DE, DC, MD,* PA, VA,* WV)

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West

Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900

Region IV

(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-2300

Region V

(lL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street

Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220

Region VI

(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 850-4145

Region VII

(IA,* KS, MO, NE)

Two Pershing Square

2300 Main Street, Suite 1010

Kansas City, MO 64108-2416

(816) 283-8745
OSHA’s Non-Retaliation Policy

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) has a long-established policy that information inquiries received by the agency regarding

safety and health regulations or other safety-related

subjects shall not trigger an inspection. This policy

is outlined in OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-103 (CPL

2.103), Field Inspection Reference Manual, Section 5

- Chapter I, B.4.b. The exact wording is:

Employer Contacts. Contacts for information initiated by employers or their representatives shall not

trigger an inspection, nor shall such employer

inquiries protect them against regular inspections

conducted pursuant to guidelines established by

the agency. Further, if an employer or its representatives indicates that an imminent danger exists or

that a fatality or catastrophe has occurred, the Area

Director shall act in accordance with established

inspection priority procedures.

While exceptions to this policy exist, such as the

presence of an imminent danger or the occurrence

of a fatality, OSHA policy is to provide assistance to

help employers prevent and reduce workplace

fatalities, illnesses and injuries.