OSHA's Focused Inspection Program in Construction - Journeyman Technical Information Paper 1
CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training
Summary Statement
In a guide aimed at contractors and workers, a CPWR researcher explains OSHA’s focused/partial inspection program targeting the major construction workplace hazards.
2003
What is a focused inspection?
When
a general construction contractor has implemented a safety and health
program — with worker involvement — that appears to be effective, an
OSHA inspector may choose to conduct only a partial inspection of a
worksite, focusing on the hazards known to cause the most deaths.
The focused inspections look at these types of hazards:
The focused approach assumes that:
Injuries kill more than 1,000 construction workers each year in the United States — more than in any other industry. Nearly 200,000 workers are seriously injured each year.
Roughly three-fourths of the deaths in construction are linked to the four hazards:
As in other inspections, worker representatives are invited to go with the OSHA compliance officers to assist in the inspection. The reps should be chosen by the union(s) or workers on site.
In a focused inspection, the OSHA inspector does five things:
1. Finds out if there is a comprehensive safety and health program covering all employers on the project and a designated competent person (s).
The inspector asks officials of the "controlling" or overall/ general contractor, for a paper copy of the program. If there isn't a document, the inspector asks the competent person on site about the program and how it is used by all contractors on the site.
The program must assure compliance with OSHA regulations. (OSHA also has guidelines about good programs.) If there seems to be no coordination among contractors, a full inspection will normally take place.
2. Asks questions to ensure the program works.
The inspector looks for evidence the program works. OSHA 300 logs are checked. Inspectors talk to workers, foremen, superintendents, and safety reps about how the program is run and by whom, the most important safety hazards on the project, how quickly identified hazards are corrected, and how workers are trained. Workers are expected to have participated in setting up and implementing the program; this usually means a joint safety and health committee with worker representatives from all trades on site, elected by the workers or union(s).
The inspector looks for such things as evidence of a fall protection system, compliance with excavation procedures, safety railings, wash-up facilities, and effective housekeeping.
Workers must be trained about possible hazards and how to avoid them. Topics range from general safety and health hazard awareness to specific knowledge of chemicals (such as, asbestos and lead). Other topics workers should be trained on include fall protection, underground construction, ladders, ground-fault protection, and compressed air. (These rules are all in 29 CFR Part 1926, the OSHA construction standard.)
3. Concentrate on the four major hazards during the inspection.
If the site qualifies for a focused inspection, the inspection is limited to the four high-risk hazards. This means the inspector:
An inspector is not to cite (write up) problems considered "other than serious,"** if they are fixed as the inspector watches.However, serious legal infractions and other-thanserious violations that are not fixed right away must be cited. Finding serious problems does not automatically change an inspection from focused to comprehensive, although an inspector usually will decide to expand an inspection.
If citations are issued, contractors who qualify for a focused inspection will normally get a 25% reduction in the assessed monetary penalty because of their "good faith" in having a safety and health program.
5. Justifies why a focused or comprehensive inspection is done.
All contractors and employee reps on a site are told what type of inspection is being done and why. This can be done in person or on an OSHA form, which the inspector can give to the contractor to post at the site.
General contractors/employers
The focused inspections look at these types of hazards:
- Fall
- Electrical
- Caught in/between (such as, a trench cave-in or getting caught between a crane's rotating part and the truck)
- Struck by (such as, masonry falling from a scaffold).
The focused approach assumes that:
- Responsible contractors have effective safety and health programs
- Adequate programs cover all safety and health hazards likely to turn up in construction work
- There is coordination among all project contractors regarding safety and health
- Worker participation shows employer commitment, as well, and raises employee awareness of safety.
Why does OSHA use focused inspections?
OSHA's focused inspection program is intended to direct limited inspection and enforcement resources where they are most needed in the construction industry. A focused inspection takes about one-fourth to one-third the time of a full inspection. An inspector thus can inspect more projects, especially those lacking safety and health programs.Injuries kill more than 1,000 construction workers each year in the United States — more than in any other industry. Nearly 200,000 workers are seriously injured each year.
Roughly three-fourths of the deaths in construction are linked to the four hazards:
- Falls from elevations (about 410 deaths a year)
- Electrical shock (about 150 deaths a year)
- Struck by (about 110 deaths each year)
- Caught in/between (about 100 deaths each year).
What happens during a focused inspection?
To quality for a focused inspection, a site must have:- Project coordination by a general/prime contractor or similar entity
- A designated competent person on site*
- An adequate safety and health program (see Definitions).
As in other inspections, worker representatives are invited to go with the OSHA compliance officers to assist in the inspection. The reps should be chosen by the union(s) or workers on site.
In a focused inspection, the OSHA inspector does five things:
1. Finds out if there is a comprehensive safety and health program covering all employers on the project and a designated competent person (s).
The inspector asks officials of the "controlling" or overall/ general contractor, for a paper copy of the program. If there isn't a document, the inspector asks the competent person on site about the program and how it is used by all contractors on the site.
The program must assure compliance with OSHA regulations. (OSHA also has guidelines about good programs.) If there seems to be no coordination among contractors, a full inspection will normally take place.
2. Asks questions to ensure the program works.
The inspector looks for evidence the program works. OSHA 300 logs are checked. Inspectors talk to workers, foremen, superintendents, and safety reps about how the program is run and by whom, the most important safety hazards on the project, how quickly identified hazards are corrected, and how workers are trained. Workers are expected to have participated in setting up and implementing the program; this usually means a joint safety and health committee with worker representatives from all trades on site, elected by the workers or union(s).
The inspector looks for such things as evidence of a fall protection system, compliance with excavation procedures, safety railings, wash-up facilities, and effective housekeeping.
Workers must be trained about possible hazards and how to avoid them. Topics range from general safety and health hazard awareness to specific knowledge of chemicals (such as, asbestos and lead). Other topics workers should be trained on include fall protection, underground construction, ladders, ground-fault protection, and compressed air. (These rules are all in 29 CFR Part 1926, the OSHA construction standard.)
3. Concentrate on the four major hazards during the inspection.
If the site qualifies for a focused inspection, the inspection is limited to the four high-risk hazards. This means the inspector:
- Looks at a "representative" part of the site
- Talks to employees and supervisors
- Watches work being done.
An inspector is not to cite (write up) problems considered "other than serious,"** if they are fixed as the inspector watches.However, serious legal infractions and other-thanserious violations that are not fixed right away must be cited. Finding serious problems does not automatically change an inspection from focused to comprehensive, although an inspector usually will decide to expand an inspection.
If citations are issued, contractors who qualify for a focused inspection will normally get a 25% reduction in the assessed monetary penalty because of their "good faith" in having a safety and health program.
5. Justifies why a focused or comprehensive inspection is done.
All contractors and employee reps on a site are told what type of inspection is being done and why. This can be done in person or on an OSHA form, which the inspector can give to the contractor to post at the site.
Making focused inspections work for you
Here are suggestions about how to take advantage of focused inspections as an employer, worker, or worker rep. These approaches can save money (in compensation costs, fines, and liability) and lives.General contractors/employers
- Have a competent person who is properly trained, knows how to identify and solve safety and health problems, and has the authority to resolve them.
- Set up a joint safety and health committee with at least 50% worker representation, with worker reps chosen by the workers or unions.
- Ensure all trades and subcontractors are represented on the committee (membership will change as the project goes on, but think of ways to get continuity).
- Ensure that committee reps can fully participate, without fear of retaliation.
- Develop, implement, and routinely evaluate a complete safety and health program with the committee and the designated person (remembering that health hazards are important also).
- Do at least
the minimum required by law to:
- Train workers and supervisors about hazards and their prevention and emergency procedures for when things go wrong
- Provide hazard information to workers and their representatives
- Ensure that supervisors' responsibilities include safety and health as much as production
- Conduct frequent and regular inspections of the worksite
- Keep accurate OSHA 300 logs (if there are 11or more employees)
- Ensure rules are followed.
- Have regular and meaningful toolbox meetings.
- Get and keep accessible all relevant OSHA and industry safety and health materials.
- Make sure subcontractors know about and use the program.
- Allow time for joint labor-management safety and health meetings, including preparation and follow-up.
- Go beyond OSHA rules, for they are the minimum required (remembering the general duty clause in the law may be used to cover hazards for which there are no specific regulations).
- Ensure problems the committee identifies are fixed (or the committee gets a response) quickly and respectfully.
- Push for joint safety and health committees.
- Train stewards about safety and health law and what joint committees should do.
- Seek to have every worker get at least 10 hours of OSHA hazard awareness training.
- Coordinate with other trades to protect against safety and health hazards.
- Don't let the safety focus take away from health issues such as heavy lifting, noise, breathing dusts (such as, asbestos, lead, silica, and welding fumes), and working with chemicals.
- Insist on
a safety and health program that includes:
- Real worker participation to identify and fix problems
- Short-term and longer-term solutions
- Regular and useful toolbox meetings that involve stewards and worker reps
- A process that encourages workers to identify and report hazards
- Disciplinary procedures (including dismissal) for superintendents or foremen who don't implement safety and health rules or the program
- Time limits for fixing things; evaluating the solution(s) to ensure they work
- Worker participation in OSHA inspections or investigations
- A written policy that there will be no discrimination or adverse consequences for safety and health committee members doing their jobs or for workers and others who report hazards.
- Ensure that the worker "representative" acts on behalf of all workers on site and seeks to identify any hazard, not just hazards affecting one craft.
- Help inspectors to identify all serious hazards, whether or not they are in one of the four high-risk categories
- Encourage workers to ask for copies of and review the OSHA 300 and 301 forms for all injuries and exposures that may cause problems later (such as, asbestos)
- Remember: OSHA rules are the minimum required of employers.
For more information:
OSHA
Documents on the OSHA Internet web site (http://www.osha.gov)
Contact your local area office or your state plan office or call 1-800 321-OSHA and you will be put in touch with the OSHA office nearest you.
Ask for the construction coordinator at each regional office:
Region I (Boston) 617-565-9860
Region II (New York) 212-337-2378
Region III (Philadelphia) 215-861-4900
Region IV (Atlanta) 404-562-2300
Region V (Chicago) 312-353-2220
Region VI (Dallas) 214-767-4731
Region VII (Kansas City) 816-426-5861
Region VIII (Denver) 303-844-1600
Region IX (San Francisco) 415-975-4310
Region X (Seattle) 206-553-5930
These are phone numbers for OSHA state plans:
Alaska, 907-465-4839
Arizona, 602-542-5795
California, 415-703-5070
Hawaii, 808-586-9116
Indiana, 317-232-2378
Iowa, 515-242-5870
Kentucky, 502-564-3070
Maryland, 410-767-2213
Michigan, 517-322-1814
Minnesota, 651-284-5372
Nevada, 702-687-5240
New Mexico, 505-827-4230
North Carolina, 919-807-2861
Oregon, 503-378-3272
Puerto Rico, 787-756-1100
South Carolina, 803-734-9606
Tennessee, 615-741-2793
Utah, 801-530-6898
Vermont, 802-828-2765
Virgin Islands, 340-772-1315
Virginia, 804-371-2327
Washington, 360-902-5495
Wyoming, 307-777-7786
Related standards
Building and Construction Trades Department
1155 15th St., NW, 4th Floor
Washington DC 20005
Tel: 202-347-1461
Fax: 202-628-0724
www.bctd.org
BCTD Research Arm
CPWR – Center for Construction Research and Training
8484 Georgia Ave., # 1000
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 301-578-8500
Fax: 301-578-8572
www.cpwr.com
BCTD Affiliates
International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers
9602 Martin Luther King Hwy.
Lanham, MD 20706
Tel: 301-731-9101 / Fax: 301-731-5058
www.insulators.org
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers
753 State Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Tel: 913-371-2640 / Fax: 913-281-8101
www.boilermakers.org
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
1776 Eye St. NW
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202-783-3788 / Fax: 202-393-0219
www.bacweb.org
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
101 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington DC 20001
Tel: 202-546-6206 / Fax: 202-543-5724
www.carpenters.org
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
1125 15th Street, NW
Washington DC 20005
Tel: 202-833-7000 / Fax: 202-728-6099
www.ibew.org
International Union of Elevator Constructors
7154 Columbia Gateway Dr.
Columbia, MD 21046
Tel: 410-953-6150 / Fax: 410-953-6169
www.iuec.org
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
1750 New York Ave., NW, #400
Washington DC 20006
Tel: 202-383-4800 / Fax: 202-638-4856
www.ironworkers.org
Laborers’ International Union of North America
905 16th Street, NW
Washington DC 20006
Tel: 202-737-8320 / Fax: 202-737-2754
www.liuna.org
International Union of Operating Engineers
1125 17th St., NW
Washington DC 20036
Tel: 202-429-9100 / Fax: 202-778-2619
www.iuoe.org
Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association of the United States and Canada
14405 Laurel Pl., Suite 300
Laurel, MD 20707
Tel: 301-470-4200 / Fax: 301-470-2502
www.opcmia.org
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
1750 New York Ave., NW
Washington DC 20006
Tel: 202-637-0700 / Fax: 202-637-0771
www.iupat.org
United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers
1660 L St., NW, Suite 800
Washington DC 20036-5603
Tel: 202-463-7663 / Fax: 202-463-6906
http://www.unionroofers.com/
Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association
1750 New York Ave., NW
Washington DC 20006
Tel: 202-783-5880 / Fax: 202-662-0894
www.smwia.org
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
25 Louisiana Ave., NW
Washington DC 20001
Tel: 202-624-6800 / Fax: 202-624-8102
teamster.org
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada
901 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington DC 20001
Tel: 202-628-5823 / Fax: 202-347-4938
www.ua.org
Abatement date - Deadline given by OSHA for removal or control
of a hazard.
Citation - The notice OSHA sends to employers and to local unions describing a hazard, the OSHA standard or section applicable to the hazard, the date for abatement, and the penalties. Citations are alleged for 15 working days after the employer receives them. During this 15-day period, the employer and employee representatives can ask for an informal meeting with the office that issued the citations. The employer can ask for a deletion of a citation or penalty. The employer or employee representative can ask for a change in the abatement date. Proof of abatement is required under 1903.19.
Competent person - Someone who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees and who has authorization to take prompt, corrective measures to eliminate them.
Inspections
Comprehensive - The OSHA Field Inspection Reference Manual (1994) says this is a "substantially complete" inspection of areas that may have a fair number of hazards. It does not mean that all possible hazards are inspected.
Partial - The OSHA Field Inspection Reference Manual says this type of inspection is focused on certain areas, operations, conditions, or practices that may be hazardous. During an inspection, it may become obvious that a focused inspection is not enough. In such a case, the inspector can use "professional judgment" to expand the inspection.
Safety and health program - A safety and health program usually starts with a written plan that spells out the goals of having a safe and healthy workplace. The rest of the document explains how the safety and health laws and regulations are to be obeyed, in plain language — with an analysis of stages or activities that require special safety inspection or supervision. Among other topics, the plan should include procedures regularly inspecting for and correcting potential hazards, where material safety data sheets are kept, supervisor and worker safety training, toolbox meetings, and procedures for injury reports.
Safety and health committee - A committee that can be set up in a union or union local to investigate safety and health problems, train union members, or represent members' interests in dealings with government, employers, or other unions. Site-based joint labor-management committees are required in Washington state and some Canadian provinces, such as Ontario. Even if not required, a committee can be set up by contract or agreement with the employer — and is an excellent way to demonstrate employee involvement in safety and health programs. Construction site committees are usually multi-union, with at least half the committee members representing unions on the job.
Violation - A citation from OSHA indicating that a specific part of the OSHA law or regulation was not obeyed or used.
Serious - OSHA believes it is likely that a worker could die or be seriously injured by the situation.
Other-than serious - Death or serious physical harm is not the most likely result from a hazardous situation. However, the problem does have a direct and immediate relationship to a worker's health or safety.
*OSHA defines a competent person as one who can identify existing and predictable hazards and is authorized to act promptly to correct them.
** "Other than serious" violations have a direct and immediate relationship to a worker's health or safety, but are not likely to result in death or serious physical harm.
Documents on the OSHA Internet web site (http://www.osha.gov)
- The regulation that includes information on inspections and competent persons is 29 CFR 1926, Subpart C., General Safety and Health Provisions. You may look at regulations at local OSHA offices.
- 1926.20, 1926.21, and related general safety and health provisions are explained in Clarification of Citation Policy, dated 6/22/87. Copies are at http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=1817
- Guidance to compliance officers for focused inspections in the construction industry. Memorandum for OSHA Regional Administrators from James Stanley, Deputy Assistant Secretary, OSHA, Department of Labor. August 22, 1994.
- The rule saying inspectors do not have to inspect an entire construction site is found in Compliance Directive 2.103, September 26, 1994, Field Inspection Reference Manual, chapter II, section A.1.b. (This was being revised in mid-2003.)
- Construction focused inspections initiative. Handout for contractors and employees (part of the "Guidance" listed above)
- Safety and health program management guidelines. They were published in the Federal Register on January 26, 1989 (54 FR 3904).
Contact your local area office or your state plan office or call 1-800 321-OSHA and you will be put in touch with the OSHA office nearest you.
Ask for the construction coordinator at each regional office:
Region I (Boston) 617-565-9860
Region II (New York) 212-337-2378
Region III (Philadelphia) 215-861-4900
Region IV (Atlanta) 404-562-2300
Region V (Chicago) 312-353-2220
Region VI (Dallas) 214-767-4731
Region VII (Kansas City) 816-426-5861
Region VIII (Denver) 303-844-1600
Region IX (San Francisco) 415-975-4310
Region X (Seattle) 206-553-5930
These are phone numbers for OSHA state plans:
Alaska, 907-465-4839
Arizona, 602-542-5795
California, 415-703-5070
Hawaii, 808-586-9116
Indiana, 317-232-2378
Iowa, 515-242-5870
Kentucky, 502-564-3070
Maryland, 410-767-2213
Michigan, 517-322-1814
Minnesota, 651-284-5372
Nevada, 702-687-5240
New Mexico, 505-827-4230
North Carolina, 919-807-2861
Oregon, 503-378-3272
Puerto Rico, 787-756-1100
South Carolina, 803-734-9606
Tennessee, 615-741-2793
Utah, 801-530-6898
Vermont, 802-828-2765
Virgin Islands, 340-772-1315
Virginia, 804-371-2327
Washington, 360-902-5495
Wyoming, 307-777-7786
Related standards
- Safety and health program requirements for multi-employer projects (American National Standards Institute, ANSI A10.33).
- Basic
elements of an employer program to provide a safe and healthful
work environment,
ANSI A10.38. These are available in some libraries.
Some Building Trades Contacts
BCTDBuilding and Construction Trades Department
1155 15th St., NW, 4th Floor
Washington DC 20005
Tel: 202-347-1461
Fax: 202-628-0724
www.bctd.org
BCTD Research Arm
CPWR – Center for Construction Research and Training
8484 Georgia Ave., # 1000
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 301-578-8500
Fax: 301-578-8572
www.cpwr.com
BCTD Affiliates
International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers
9602 Martin Luther King Hwy.
Lanham, MD 20706
Tel: 301-731-9101 / Fax: 301-731-5058
www.insulators.org
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers
753 State Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Tel: 913-371-2640 / Fax: 913-281-8101
www.boilermakers.org
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
1776 Eye St. NW
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202-783-3788 / Fax: 202-393-0219
www.bacweb.org
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
101 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington DC 20001
Tel: 202-546-6206 / Fax: 202-543-5724
www.carpenters.org
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
1125 15th Street, NW
Washington DC 20005
Tel: 202-833-7000 / Fax: 202-728-6099
www.ibew.org
International Union of Elevator Constructors
7154 Columbia Gateway Dr.
Columbia, MD 21046
Tel: 410-953-6150 / Fax: 410-953-6169
www.iuec.org
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
1750 New York Ave., NW, #400
Washington DC 20006
Tel: 202-383-4800 / Fax: 202-638-4856
www.ironworkers.org
Laborers’ International Union of North America
905 16th Street, NW
Washington DC 20006
Tel: 202-737-8320 / Fax: 202-737-2754
www.liuna.org
International Union of Operating Engineers
1125 17th St., NW
Washington DC 20036
Tel: 202-429-9100 / Fax: 202-778-2619
www.iuoe.org
Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association of the United States and Canada
14405 Laurel Pl., Suite 300
Laurel, MD 20707
Tel: 301-470-4200 / Fax: 301-470-2502
www.opcmia.org
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
1750 New York Ave., NW
Washington DC 20006
Tel: 202-637-0700 / Fax: 202-637-0771
www.iupat.org
United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers
1660 L St., NW, Suite 800
Washington DC 20036-5603
Tel: 202-463-7663 / Fax: 202-463-6906
http://www.unionroofers.com/
Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association
1750 New York Ave., NW
Washington DC 20006
Tel: 202-783-5880 / Fax: 202-662-0894
www.smwia.org
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
25 Louisiana Ave., NW
Washington DC 20001
Tel: 202-624-6800 / Fax: 202-624-8102
teamster.org
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada
901 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington DC 20001
Tel: 202-628-5823 / Fax: 202-347-4938
www.ua.org
Definitions
Citation - The notice OSHA sends to employers and to local unions describing a hazard, the OSHA standard or section applicable to the hazard, the date for abatement, and the penalties. Citations are alleged for 15 working days after the employer receives them. During this 15-day period, the employer and employee representatives can ask for an informal meeting with the office that issued the citations. The employer can ask for a deletion of a citation or penalty. The employer or employee representative can ask for a change in the abatement date. Proof of abatement is required under 1903.19.
Competent person - Someone who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees and who has authorization to take prompt, corrective measures to eliminate them.
Inspections
Comprehensive - The OSHA Field Inspection Reference Manual (1994) says this is a "substantially complete" inspection of areas that may have a fair number of hazards. It does not mean that all possible hazards are inspected.
Partial - The OSHA Field Inspection Reference Manual says this type of inspection is focused on certain areas, operations, conditions, or practices that may be hazardous. During an inspection, it may become obvious that a focused inspection is not enough. In such a case, the inspector can use "professional judgment" to expand the inspection.
Safety and health program - A safety and health program usually starts with a written plan that spells out the goals of having a safe and healthy workplace. The rest of the document explains how the safety and health laws and regulations are to be obeyed, in plain language — with an analysis of stages or activities that require special safety inspection or supervision. Among other topics, the plan should include procedures regularly inspecting for and correcting potential hazards, where material safety data sheets are kept, supervisor and worker safety training, toolbox meetings, and procedures for injury reports.
Safety and health committee - A committee that can be set up in a union or union local to investigate safety and health problems, train union members, or represent members' interests in dealings with government, employers, or other unions. Site-based joint labor-management committees are required in Washington state and some Canadian provinces, such as Ontario. Even if not required, a committee can be set up by contract or agreement with the employer — and is an excellent way to demonstrate employee involvement in safety and health programs. Construction site committees are usually multi-union, with at least half the committee members representing unions on the job.
Violation - A citation from OSHA indicating that a specific part of the OSHA law or regulation was not obeyed or used.
Serious - OSHA believes it is likely that a worker could die or be seriously injured by the situation.
Other-than serious - Death or serious physical harm is not the most likely result from a hazardous situation. However, the problem does have a direct and immediate relationship to a worker's health or safety.
*OSHA defines a competent person as one who can identify existing and predictable hazards and is authorized to act promptly to correct them.
** "Other than serious" violations have a direct and immediate relationship to a worker's health or safety, but are not likely to result in death or serious physical harm.
