The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set forth a series of safety regulations that every business is expected to follow. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in serious injuries among your staff, and you may be found legally liable for any OSHA code violations that your company committed. Here are four OSHA compliance standards your business might be missing.
Fall Prevention
If you have staff members who work at a height of more than six feet above the ground, you’ll need to have safety measures in place to remain OSHA-compliant. Guardrails and toe boards should be in place around floors, runways and side platforms with openings where workers could fall. In addition to a guardrail system and toe boards, workers may need to be equipped with harnesses to prevent falls. You may also need to install safety nets to catch any workers who might otherwise fall onto hard floors or into dangerous machinery.
Respiratory Protection
Chemical fumes and airborne particles could be highly toxic if inhaled, and OSHA requires work environments where these fumes and particles may be present to provide respiratory protection for all employees. Respirators can be worn to ensure that each worker only breathes in clean air while filtering out the hazardous airborne matter. You’ll also need to check regularly to ensure that all your employees are using their respirators or other breathing safety devices correctly.
Equipment Safety
All equipment that’s used to operate your business should function properly without any wiring or other mechanical problems. Your commercial HVAC installation should be performed correctly by professional contractors so that your business’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning can function without putting anyone in harm’s way. Safety guards should be in place for any machinery that could become hazardous if an accident occurs.
Face and Eye Protection
Projectile objects in an industrial environment may end up hitting employees in the face and eyes, which could lead to serious injuries, worker compensation claims and possibly lawsuits. Loose particles in the air can also cause face and eye injuries in some cases. Wearing safety goggles or glasses can protect the eyes while still allowing workers to see clearly to do their jobs. Clear facemasks and shields often work well in safeguarding the face from injuries.
Keeping your business OSHA-compliant can be advantageous for both your company and your workers. If you notice any OSHA safety regulation violations at your business, it’s important to address them as quickly as possible so that you won’t be held liable if anything bad happens.