The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is responsible for monitoring safety at countless businesses and jobsites in Minnesota. Inspections are a vital part of the services provided by OSHA but given the sheer number of locations and businesses it works with, OSHA must find a way to prioritize its inspection work.
There are several levels of priority for inspections according to OSHA. Any situation in which a person may be in imminent danger of serious injury or death will be one of the top priorities to be inspected by OSHA officials. Such dangers may be brought to OSHA’s attention in a number of ways including through anonymous reports from employees. Employees need not file reports anonymously but always have the right to do so. Individuals or entities other than employees may also file reports that may prompt OSHA to send an inspector out to a particular location.
Worksites at which a death, hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye occured are also high on the list of priority to receive an inspection by OSHA. Employers have a duty to report the incidents within certain timeframes. These may occur from either accident injuries or illnesses. Companies that have had prior violations may receive more frequent targeted inspections as well as follow up visits to check on the status of any required corrective actions.
If you would like to learn more about workplace inspections by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, please feel free to visit the safety at work page of our Minnesota worker’s injury and compensation website.