b'FOGHORNFOCUS: SAFETYTo increase the likelihood of a good outcome, an employerinjury or illness. The inspector will also review documents should act in a professional manner and always keep coolpertaining training, drill and practice scenarios, injury or during the inspection. Treating the inspector with courtesyillness records, recordkeeping deficiencies, etc. Retrieving and respect may well result in reciprocal treatment.the required documents (perhaps even in advance) and pre-It is reasonable to confirm the identity of the OSHA com- senting them to the compliance officer in a reasonable time pliance officer, and this should happen prior to the start ofshows that those responsible for the facility are knowledge-the inspection. The inspector should show you an officialable and organized. ID that will include both a photograph and a serial numberWhen asked a question by the compliance officer, only on the badge. Once there is confirmation of the complianceanswer the question asked and do not give unnecessary officer, the employers representative should also escort theinformation. During the walk-around, if the compliance officer to a meeting place for the opening of the inspection.officer finds something that is in violation of OSHA safety In the opening conference the compliance officer will explainand health standards, there will be a citation. Remember that the reason for the workplace inspection. He or she maysome apparent violations detected by the compliance officer hand over certain documents or a copy of a compliant withcan be corrected immediately. The officer will record the cor-the complainants information removed. There should be arection to help evaluate the employers good faith for compli-review of the procedures for walking around the workplace,ance, but the corrected violation may still serve as the basis an explanation of the importance of employee representa- for a citation, notice of proposed penalty, or both. tion, and a discussion of the need to conduct employee inter- After the walk-around, there will be a closing conference views. Thats right, the inspector will be talking to a numberwith the compliance office and employers representative to of employees privately. There can also be an employee rep- discuss the findings. The compliance officer will outline the resentative that can be in the meetings and walk-around.necessary steps that the employer must take to resolve the During the walk-around, the compliance officer will goissues as soon as possible.through certain areas in the workplace and look for anythingWhen it comes to a citation, there are several different that isor couldcreate a hazard that would lead to ankinds of violations such as de minimis, serious, other-16 AUGUST 2019FOGHORN'