April 14, 2006

FREE ONSITE CONSULTATION

Free onsite safety and health consultation services are available in all states to employers who want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. Primarily developed for smaller employers with
more hazardous operations. The OSHA Consultation Service is largely funded by OSHA and is delivered by state governments employing professional safety consultants and health consultants.

The full service assistance that is offered includes an appraisal of all mechnical systems, physical work practices, and occupational safety and health of the workplace, and all aspects of the employer's present job safety and health program. In addition, the service offers assistance to employers in developing and implementing an effective workplace safety and health program that corrects and continuously addresses safety and health concerns.

This program is completely separate from OSHA's inspection efforts. No penalties are proposed or citations issued for any safety or health problems identified by the consultant. The service is confidential. The employers name, the firms name, and any information about the workplace, plus any unsafe or unhealthful working conditions that the consultant uncovers, will not be reported routinely to the OSHA inspection staff.

The only obligation is the employers commitment to correct serious safety and health hazards in a timely manner. The employer is asked to make this commitment prior to the actual visit.

THE ONSITE CONSULTANTS PERFORM THE FOLLOWING:

1: Help recognize hazards in the workplace

2: Suggest general approaches or options for solving a safety or health problem.

3: Assist the employer in developing or maintaining an effective safety and health program.

4: Identify the kinds of help available for further assistance.

5: Offer training and education for the employer and employees at the workplace.

6: Provide the employer with a written report summarizing findings.

7: Under specified circumstances, recommend the employer's worksite for recognition by OSHA and a one year exclusion from general scheduled enforcement inspections.

8: Maintain lists of local providers of safety and industrial hygiene services.

THE ONSITE CONSULTANTS WILL NOT:

1. Issue citations or propose penalties for violations of OSHA standards .

2. Routinely report possible violations to OSHA enforcement staff unless unabated serious conditions are not corrected within agreed upon time frames.

3. Guarantee that the workplace will "pass" an OSHA inspection.