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OSHA: FRIEND OR FOE IF YOU WANT A SAFE ENVOIRONMENT FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES, OSHA CAN HELP THAT HAPPEN, IF YOU ARE CUTTNG CORNERS AND NONCOMPLIANT, THEY CAN BE YOUR WORST ENEMY

not sure how to create a safe environment or execute what could be “best practices” in that kind of situa- tion. OSHA can offer suggestions that will build a safe environment and also ensure the workspace is code compliant. Some could see this as intrusive. Others can see it as an opportunity to provided the safest possible space. With that comes higher morale — and just may- be, happier and more productive employees. And that boosts your bottom line! n

For most of us, providing a safe environment for our customers and employees is a part of the “best prac- tices” of any business. As a result OSHA can be sup- portive and helpful in maintaining workplace safety complaince.

OSHA or the Oc- cupational Safe- ty and Health

Administration is a regulatory agency of the US De- partment of Labor. Alone, that can be intimidating to try and navigate and understand. Some view a federal agency as a “bully” doling out fines, issuing warnings and threats of shutting down your business if cited for having hazardous working conditions. If you are facing an OSHA inspection and get hit with a violation, there’s no need to panic. OSHA will give you a window of time to take corrective steps and solve the issue. What’s more important is you will find that OSHA can be an intregal partner towards keeping customers and employees safe. For example, lets say you have a ware- house with forklifts and high shelving and you’re just