Workers like this process because OSHA gets their complaints resolved quicker, and employers get personal attention from an OSHA representative immediately after a complaint has been filed. This allows employers to investigate the allegation themselves right way, and if a hazard does exist, they can quickly take corrective action. In the past, employers would not even have been aware of such an allegation until several days after it had been filed, because OSHA's procedure was to mail a letter rather than make a phone call or send a fax. Under this approach, OSHA would develop new criteria to determine and set priorities for those complaints requiring onsite inspections while protecting the right of employees to request an inspection. For other nonformal complaints, OSHA would investigate using the phone and fax method.
Preliminary results are positive.
In Peoria, for example, onsite inspections responding to complaints are now being initiated in an average of 3 workdays, instead of 35 workdays. Their complaint backlog has virtually been eliminated. At present, OSHA is prepared to implement the new nonformal complaint process in each of its field offices. Each area office will be trained in the new process, and the regional facilitators will assist them in establishing office goals and measuring their performance.