OSHA Voluntary Protection Program

Curious if anyone out there requested OSHA to conduct a voluntary protection program-yes there is such a program. It may seem crazy but thought I would check as we are working at bringing the business up to snuff as it relates to OSHA regsand I thought it might be helpful to work in partnership rather than in a reactive state should they ever knock on the door.

Other suggestions or resources are always appreciated.

Thanks

I've had two unannounced OSHA inspections in the past. Here is some info on OSAH. They will do a voluntary inspection, but you may be asking more for what your bargaining for. Most inspections done by OSHA in car washes is done because an employee reported something he did'nt like and it may be you.
1) Try to stay off of the OSHA radar screen. 2) Remember that an employee can report you for something, but an ex-employee cannot, and OSHA will not respond to a complaint was an employee not currently working there . OSHA also will not tell you who called, and don't ask the employees who called - OSHA frowns on that. This is what you should do since I studied up on this very thoroughly: A) Be sure that all of you chemical containers are marked. What chemical, the dilution, who sold it to you, caution stickers, and a number to call in the event of mishap. B) Have MSDS sheets for every chemical. C)Have safety meetings at least once annually. Have everyone that attended the meeting sign a form. D) Prior to anyone starting work, have them read some forms that you need to prepare containing the following:
A.) Safety on the premises.
b.) A tour of the premises pointing out the various chemicals,
where the MSDS sheets are, indicate what you expect in regards to safety.
c.) You need an eye-wash fountain with a mixing valve so the water will not be too cold. Show the employee where it is.
- Be sure you have all of the MSDS sheets - this is very important.
- Have fire extinquishers with current inspections - show these to the employee.
- Have alot of safety signs posted on: operating machinery area, lock out procedures, need for safety glasses, face shields, etc.
- Have a good supply of "clean" safety glasses always available.
- Have lock out procedures for repairs.
- Indicate who mixes (manages) chemicals and is responsible for marking the containers and keeping up with the MSDS sheets.

All of these items should be prepared and printed on forms.
My form set is approx. 10 pages. The set also explains what I expect from every employee in terms of performance, work ethic, honesty, grounds for dismissal, etc. Every employee read and signs the documents before he starts. The cover form indicates that he was given a tour of premises, shown where the MSDS sheets are, that safety was explained, etc, etc. You can't control your employees all the time, but his signing takes the majority of the burden off you and onto him. I know all of this - since my first visit was from an employee and it cost me $1700 in fines and over $1200 in an eye wash fountain, signage, etc. Both visits were the result of an employee called them. The call you don't want to get is that OSHA just showed up, but if do then you will be ready.

Realistically speaking - should'nt we be doing the above anyway !

Joe

www.crowncarwashinc.com

We had a former employee report OSHA violations to them after he had quit. The worst part was that everything for which we were written up (Open containers of oil, pumps disassembled in pans of solvent, stuff blocking aisles) were things he'd left that way himself.

OSHA has been hitting a lot of locations here in California. From what I have been told it is not "if" they fine you, it is "how much" they will fine you and what mood your inspector is in. If you go the route of staying off the radar then do as Joe said and keep preventive measures in place.

I have heard of calling OSHA for the voluntary inspection where they give you a time period to make the necessary changes without fines.

The common products that customers order after a OSHA inspection:
Safety glasses, dust masks (polish dust), gloves (nitrile and 18" rubber for hand washes), aprons (detail and pvc for hand washes), rubber boots (hand washes), OSHA compliant blowguns (rubber tipped), and eye washes.

Great information-thank you ... I will act on this and nix the VPP route

The OSHA safety inspection program is an excellent program and unless you are simply a negligent operator there is nothing to be afraid of asking them to come in and assist you.

This is NOT an enforcement agency, in fact, it is against the law for the inspection agency to report you to the enforcement agency.

They exist for only one reason to help you make your business safe for yourself, your employees and your customers.

You ask them to come in and make an inspection. They come out and inspect your facility and tell you what things are in violation of the OSHA safety standards and what you need to do to bring them up to the standards.

You then have a period of time to get things corrected.

They come back and make a re-inspection to see if you have remedied these things. If you have, no problem.

If you have not then they can, and might, report you to the enforcement agency of OSHA. Sounds fair to me.

There are private agencies that charge thousands for the exact same thing. This is FREE.

We did it at our detail centerS and I have to say it was a positive experience and helped up immensely in making our detail centers safer places for everyone involved.

Just some well intentioned thoughts on the subject.

Regards
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS