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Reduced OSHA Inspection Scrutiny for Voluntary Self-Audits |
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OSHA has developed a final policy describing its treatment of voluntary employer self-audits that assess workplace safety and health conditions and compliance. The policy provides that OSHA will not routinely request self-audit reports at the initiation of an inspection, and it will not use self-audit reports as a means of identifying hazards upon which to focus during an inspection. In addition, where a voluntary self-audit identifies a hazardous condition, and the employer has corrected the deficiency prior to the initiation of an inspection and has taken appropriate steps to prevent the recurrence of the condition, OSHA will refrain from issuing a citation, even if the deficiency existed within the six-month limitations period during which OSHA is authorized to issue citations. Where a voluntary self-audit identifies a hazardous condition, and the employer promptly undertakes appropriate measures to correct the deficiency and to provide interim employee protection, but has not completely corrected the deficiency when an OSHA inspection occurs, OSHA will treat the audit report as evidence of good faith, and not as evidence of a willful violation of the Act. For more information, contact Richard Fairfax, OSHA, at (202) 693-2100. AcuSafe is a presentation of AcuTech Consulting, ©2002, All Rights Reserved
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