[quote=“Jakesnake1599”]i am a little worried about this OSHA deal. You think they will be keeping an eye on small communities in rural SE SD and NW iowa. I work in 5-10 communities of 500 people to 10,000.
It’s probably not something to gamble with though if they are handing out fines of 10,000.
Unbelievable, i was just finally going into business full time this year. i’ve done 30-40 roofs part time for 8 years and now was on my way to getting a sub crew and everything.
Wonder if I should re-think this as I have not pulled the trigger on quitting my full time job.
Any words of wisdom would help a lot. thanks[/quote]
Jakesnake:
I am on the insurance side of things as an adjuster. However, have a whole family full of safety folk. The first thing you should look into is one of your local building and trade associations. Many times, these groups have services that they provide to their members.
Your first priority is getting a written safety program. Many of these associations above have done this leg work and can provide you with the framework for your “Safety” program. If you don’t have a written program your in deep $#@!.
Second, you will need to have what OSHA calls a “Competent Person” on each job when it comes to safety. OSHA always talks to someone at the scene and asks questions. If you have a worker who states “I don’t know” or basically knows nothing about safety, then the fines start coming.
The person you designate as a “competent person” is somebody who has been trained in your safety program, usually a foreman or crew leader. It is a good idea to have these people take the OSHA 10 Hour course and the OSHA 30 Hour course. Many of these courses are offered through local trade associations.
As part of your safety program, there should be regular safety talks. Typically called “tool box” talks. Items such as wearing personal protective equipment, tie off ladders, proper fall protection, etc… etc should be addressed. It is a good idea that the a log be kept where each worker signs for each talk. This documents what you or your company is doing.
If you ever get cited and fined, always appeal. You will be granted an informal conference withOSHA who almost always will reduce their fine siginficantly. However, citations are really a set up. I say this because the first time around they will reduce their fines significantly, however, their real goal is to get a “citation” on record. Then, if you get caught a second time for the same violation, then, the hammer drops as they can call the second incident “egregious” or repetitive.
You are better off paying a higher fine with no citation on record than a lower fine and accepting the citation. Even the “higher” fine is typically signficantly reduced off the listed fine. Many times, up to 90%.
Unfortunately, there is so much involved, it is not possible to address it all. However, if you have a written program, trained competent persons, tool box talks regarding safety and document what you do … you will be much further ahead of the game than the next guy.
Either that or you could shut your doors every time and reopen under a different name … :roll: