What to Expect & How to Be Prepared

Because it’s common for an inspection to take place without any advanced notice, it’s crucial to remain in compliance with OSHA regulations at all times. Understanding and enforcing the mandates set forth for the healthcare industry is key– and it can only help ensure that when an inspection happens, you’re ready. An inspection can cause a lot of stress-but being aware of what to expect can not only help alleviate that stress, but also help make it a more positive experience for you, your staff and your business.

What Will the Inspector Do?

When an inspector arrives at your facility, you can expect them to do a variety of things including review your site’s OSHA documentation and observe some of your key processes, as well as speak with staff and perform a variety of tasks to assess your business’ compliance to mandates.

OSHA Documents/Paperwork

To help make the inspection go smoothly, it’s recommended you have all your OSHA documents ready including the following: 

• Safety Data Sheet: This sheet should contain safety procedures and information and be located in the place where employees can access it at any time. Information included should be how to handle, store and dispose of medical waste.

• OSHA 300 Logs: These logs are required by OSHA and are used to record all reportable injuries and illnesses that occur in your workplace, as well as where and when they happened, the name and job title of the employee who was injured and the number of days they had to be away from work or on restricted or light duty.

• Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan: This document explains the risks of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, strategies to prevent exposure and response procedures in the event that a worker is exposed.

• Hazardous Chemicals: Your facility should maintain a list of hazardous chemicals used onsite. 

• Respiratory Protection Program: This document should explain how your facility protects staff against airborne contaminants and outline how you use N95 respirators. In addition, workers should have medical clearance for wearing an N95 and you must ensure that fit testing and training have taken place.

• Training Records: Training is a key aspect of OSHA regulations and compliance. Your facility should maintain training records which include which staff has been trained and when, as well as the details of the training.

Other Steps the OSHA Inspector Will Take

In addition to checking that all your documents are up to date and in place, the OSHA inspector will also do some or all of the following:

• Speak to your staff- be sure your employees are ready to answer questions about safety and the procedures at your workplace.
• Take indoor air samples
• Take photographs
• Observe key processes

Be Ready for an OSHA Inspection

Although it can be stressful, you can prepare your facility and your staff for an OSHA inspection. Make sure you have all your documents in place and do walk-throughs on a regular basis to ensure safety procedures and medical waste disposal protocols are being followed.

Partner with All Points Medical Waste–we are a full service medical waste company located in Stuart, Florida and serving Florida businesses. We can help your facility with OSHA compliance by providing online OSHA training for your staff, as well as providing the highest industry standards of medical waste disposal. Give us a call today or complete the form on this page to learn more.