OSHA inspections and citations

0:00 Intro

OSHA inspections and citations, for the CHST exam. Every rule and number here is cited to its primary source, on screen. In this lesson, you'll learn to: describe how an inspection is conducted, state the citation time limit and posting rules, apply the rescue citation policy, and meet abatement certification deadlines.

0:11 Learning objectives

An inspection opens with credentials, then the officer explains the purpose and scope.

0:28 Conduct of inspections

The officer may take samples and photographs related to the inspection, and question privately any employer, owner, operator, agent or employee. Officers must follow your safety rules and wear appropriate protective equipment. At the end, a closing conference covers apparent violations, and you can add pertinent information.

1:00 Issuing a citation

The Area Director reviews the report and, believing a violation occurred, issues a citation, or a de minimis notice for violations with no direct or immediate relationship to safety or health. Time is limited: no citation may issue after 6 months from the alleged violation. A citation fixes a reasonable abatement time, and states that issuance is no finding of violation unless uncontested or, if contested, affirmed.

1:33 Common confusion

Two confusions. First, fixing a hazard on the spot does not stop a citation. An appropriate citation or de minimis notice is still issued, even if the employer immediately abates or initiates steps to abate. Second, a citation is not a finding of violation unless uncontested, or if contested, affirmed by the Review Commission.

2:00 Rescue activities

No citation may issue for an employee's rescue of someone in imminent danger, unless one of three exceptions applies. One: the employee was designated for rescue and you failed to provide protection, including training and equipment. Two: you directed the employee to perform rescue as part of the job, with the same failure.

2:37 Posting citations

Three: an undesignated employee volunteers where life-threatening accidents are foreseeable, and you failed to instruct on rescue arrangements, not attempting rescue, and its hazards. On receipt, post the citation immediately and unedited at or near each place the alleged violation occurred. If that is impractical, use a prominent place readily observable by all affected employees.

3:10 Abatement verification

It stays up until the violation is abated or 3 working days, whichever is later. Contesting does not end posting unless the Review Commission issues a final order vacating it. De minimis notices need not be posted. Abatement verification runs on fixed deadlines. First, certify within 10 calendar days after the abatement date. Not required if the officer, on site, saw abatement within 24 hours after identifying the violation and noted it. Next, a plan: OSHA may require one, stated in the citation, for any violation except other-than-serious when abatement time exceeds 90 calendar days.

3:55 Final order date

Due within 25 calendar days of final order. Then progress reports, if the citation requires them. The first is due no sooner than 30 calendar days after the plan.

4:12 Employee notification

The final order date drives the plan deadline. Uncontested: the fifteenth working day after you receive the citation. Contested: generally the thirtieth day after the judge's decision is docketed with the Commission. Employees must be informed of abatement activities by posting each document, or a summary, near the violation.

4:44 Common exam traps

Within 3 working days of notice of submission, employees may request to examine and copy; you comply within 5 working days. Documents stay posted 3 working days after submission. For movable equipment cited as serious, repeat or willful, attach a warning tag or citation copy. Now, six traps that catch people on exam day. One: a citation or de minimis notice is still issued even if you abate immediately. Two: no citation may be issued more than 6 months after the alleged violation.

5:23 Recap quiz

Three: contesting does not end posting unless a final order vacates the citation. Four: the 10 days run from the abatement date, not the citation. Five: the 25 days run from the final order date. Six: uncontested is the fifteenth working day, not 30 days. Question 1. After the abatement date, within how many calendar days must an employer certify abatement? A: three. B: ten. C: fifteen. D: twenty-five. B. Ten calendar days after the abatement date. Question 2. Hazard abated by the second day. How long must the citation stay posted? A: until abated or three working days, whichever is later. B: only until abated. C: ten calendar days. D: six months. A. Whichever is later, abatement or three working days. Question 3. An uncontested citation is received. When is the final order date? A: tenth calendar day. B: twenty-fifth calendar day. C: thirtieth day. D: fifteenth working day. D. The fifteenth working day after receipt. Want to see where you stand on every CHST domain? com.

25 questions, free, no card. You get a readiness score for each CHST domain.