The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for ensuring that all U.S. workers have a safe and healthful work environment. OSHA inspections are a key component in verifying whether a work environment is safe. These inspections are a fact of life for veterinary practices. To help practice owners prepare, the AVMA PLIT has released a safety bulletin entitled “Managing an OSHA Inspection.”
The bulletin starts by listing common scenarios that might prompt an OSHA inspection. The most likely cause, according to the bulletin, is that an employee or client complained to the local OSHA office. The organization must follow up on all complaints, whether they are baseless or not. However, there are several other reasons why OSHA might need to inspect your veterinary practice.
The bulletin continues by detailing what you should do during an OSHA inspection. It reminds practice owners to start by asking for the inspector’s credentials. Then, the practice’s senior team member should escort the inspector through areas of interest. The inspector might also conduct private interviews with employees. Once the walkthrough is finished, the inspector will hold a closing conference, during which they will review their preliminary findings.
The bulletin closes with an FAQ section. For more detailed information about managing an OSHA inspection, you can read the full safety bulletin below.
