Truck Parts and Service | Heavy Duty Trucking, Aftermarket, Service Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/106601
Cover Story F or a distributor or repair garage, the uncertainty of a government safety inspection can be terrifying. What are they doing here? What are they looking for? Did we do something wrong? The questions can be endless, and in some cases, they aren���t immediately followed by answers. Paired with the possibility of citations and large ���nes, inspections are viewed as one of the most distressing aspects of operating a business. But as frightening as inspections can be, that doesn���t mean they���re bad. Government safety inspections performed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are intended to verify a workplace is safe and operating Making sure your employees abide by your safety guidelines is one important aspect to surviving an inspection. Creating committees and task forces designed to promote safety will remind employees to be smart in the workplace. under the codes and protocols required by state and Federal laws. Taxing as they may be, they are designed to keep your facility and employees safe. Inspections don���t have to be terrifying. A business that teaches its staff the importance of workplace safety, follows its safety procedures and has a protocol for interacting with inspectors can turn an exhausting event into a nearly painless affair. PREVENTING AN INSPECTION Having an accessible ���rst-aid kit, like the one seen here at Betts Spring, is a necessity in your workplace. Employees must be able to treat minor injuries when they occur. W W W . T R U C K PA R T S A N D S E R V I C E . C O M TPS0213_Cover Story.indd 13 The best way to avoid a negative inspection experience is to prevent one from happening. While some OSHA inspections occur randomly, most inspections are the result of employees��� or un- identi���ed source���s requests. To prevent that, make employee safety a top priority. ���The number one way to avoid [an] inspection is prevent a complaint to begin with,��� says Eric Schmitz, vice president of product and business development at KPA Online, a marketing and consulting company. ���When an employee comes to you and needs something, you need to help them. Don���t be resistant, especially if they have a good idea. ���If you can provide them what they need, they have no reason to go to OSHA.��� Two methods to address workplace safety are safety committees and safety advisors, says Greg Fenn of KEA Advisors, a heavy-duty consulting company. Safety committees are created by F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3 | T R U C K PA R T S & S E R V I C E 13 1/22/13 1:57 PM