September 2005

In August, The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its targeted inspection plan for the remainder of this year. According to officials, OSHA will target approximately 4,400 “high-hazard” worksites for unannounced inspections. In addition to these sites — which reported 12 or more injuries or illnesses resulting in days away from work, restricted work activity or job transfer for every 100 full-time worker — the agency will randomly select and inspect about 400 workplaces (with 75 or more employees) across the nation that reported low injury and illness rates. Finally, OSHA will visit some establishments that did not respond to its annual data survey.

Inspections will focus on ergonomic hazards; employee exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials; exposure to tuberculosis; and slips, trips and falls.

What does this mean for housekeeping managers? Be prepared. According to OSHA, “employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees.”

You might think the chances are pretty slim that OSHA officials would come knocking on your door. Regardless, safeguarding your workers not only avoids OSHA violations, but also saves your organization in workers’ compensation, lost productivity and legal costs.