Working with OSHA

Yes. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) seems to be interested in helping small businesses head off problems, instead of catching them doing something wrong. Under a special program targeted at small businesses, you can request a free on-site inspection. During this visit, OSHA inspectors will:

- Discuss general approaches or options for solving any safety or health problems they identify, as well as suggest or provide training and education for your employees.

- Not issue any citations or propose penalties for any violations of OSHA standards.

- Be done with you for a year. You will be excluded from any further OSHA inspections for one year.

A word of caution: Inviting OSHA in is no guarantee your workplace will pass inspection and you may have to spend money to come into compliance.