OSHA for Small Manufacturers
Understand your obligation and avoid unnecessary safety violations and expenses
Just because your manufacturing business is small or newly launched doesn’t exempt it from federal workplace safety regulations. The agency looking over your shoulder is the Occupational Health & Safety Administration. OSHA’s role is to entice small businesses to establish and follow safety programs, and find and fix hazards to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Manufacturers fall squarely in this realm and rules violations can draw fines.Your first priority should be to establish a written safety program and manual, even if you have only a few employees. An estimated 52 percent of businesses with fewer than 10 employees lack a written safety plan. But not having a plan in place can increase fines for safety violations.
Many of the smallest manufacturing businesses, and especially those just starting out, aren’t sure what’s required of them, or where to look for help. Dozens of private suppliers sell OSHA compliance materials, and there are many safety consultants to choose from, available easily online. But your best starting point may be OSHA’s small-business website, which offers abundant assistance.
OSHA Compliance Assistance Quick Start helps new small businesses understand the rules and find the right resources. It’s a step-by-step guide to major requirements that may apply. One section deals with “General Industry” standards, including manufacturing.
State rules and “non-retaliation”
There may be additional state occupational safety and health regulations you need to know, and you’ll find a complete list of state programs here as well. You should also know that OSHA has a long-established “non-retaliation” policy. It means that if your business seeks information from the agency about safety and health regulations, your inquiry cannot trigger an inspection.
Many small manufacturers and startups take advantage of OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Service that offers free and confidential advice. These services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Safety experts will visit your site to help spot and correct potential hazards. To qualify for a one-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections, request a review of your firm’s entire safety and health situation; or limit your inquiry to a specific concern. Either way, it’s free professional advice that can help you avoid trouble later on.
The consultant will:
- Study your operation, do a walk-through, and discuss applicable OSHA standards.
- Help you spot hazards.
- Suggest general approaches or options for solving safety or health issues.
- Provide a written report summarizing findings.
- Help you develop or maintain an effective safety program.
- Provide training for you and your employees.
Contact a local OSHA consultation office to sign up. The website has complete listings. “Compliance Assistance” is another key section to look for on the website . Here you’ll find a wide range of other useful resources, compliance assistance specialists (with individual names, locations and phone numbers) and FAQs.
For short, safe-practices checklists, don’t miss the OSHA Quick Cards available for dozens of topics, such as operating aerial lifts, demolition safety, electrical safety, safe driving, heat stress and many others. You can download them in PDF for printout, or view online. Some are available in Spanish or other languages.
Keeping the required records will also go a long way toward avoiding trouble. For example, firms with 11 or more employees (except those in certain low-risk industries such as finance and real estate) must maintain a log and summary of all “recordable” work-related injuries and illnesses. The OSHA Recordkeeping Handbook, in the Compliance Assistance section of the website, will help.
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