If a Labor & Industries compliance inspector ever pays an unannounced visit to your business, the first things they are going to ask you for are:
- A copy of your accident prevention program
- Notes from your safety meetings
- If you regularly work with chemicals, your hazardous chemicals guidelines
- Training records for topics including personal protective equipment, forklift operation, first aid and the like.
- Any accident investigation reports.
A look at 2020’s top five reasons for citations explains why inspectors ask those questions. They were:
- A lack of a hazardous chemical safety program
- An outdated or missing accident prevention program
- Missing or poorly documented notes from safety meetings
- Lack of training or no use of personal protective equipment
- Lack of trained first aid cardholders or expired cards
Each citation has adjustable dollar values assigned to them, and the fines can add up quickly especially if it is a repeat citation. Missing and incomplete items could lead to a broader investigation that could increase the total number of citations and fines significantly.
Please contact Rick Means, WR’s Director of Safety & Education, so you can address any shortcomings regarding these issues and avoid findings or fines before you get a visit from L&I. Most of them are unannounced.
Rick is available to members to help draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360-943-9198 x118, or [email protected]
