OFFICE OF SAFETY AND HEALTH CONSULTATION
The Consultation Office provides free comprehensive on-site surveys for primairly small businesses to identify potential
hazards, improve safety management systems and assist in voluntary compliance with federal OSHA regulations.
All consultation services are voluntary and confidential. There are no fines, penalties, or fees associated with the
service.
Consultation includes:
- Health and safety appraisals of all mechanical and environmental hazards and physical practices
- Review of job safety and health programs, or assistance in establishing a customized safety and health program if not already in place
- Workplace hazard identification and the appropriate corrective action recommendations to prevent recurrence
- Written report of recommendations and agreements
- Training and assistance with implementing recommendations
Workplace Fatalities in Delaware, 2004 - 2008
CONSULTATION SERVICE
Using a free consultation service largely funded by the U. S.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers
can find out about potential hazards at their worksites, improve
their safety management systems, and even qualify for up to three
years exemption from routine OSHA inspections.
This service is delivered by the Delaware Department of Labor
using well-trained professional staff. Most consultations take
place on-site, though limited services away from the worksite are
available. Primarily targeted for smaller businesses, this safety
and health consultation program is completely separate from the
OSHA inspection effort. In addition, no citations are issued or
penalties proposed.
It is also confidential. Your name, your firm's name, and any
information you provide about your workplace, plus any unsafe or
unhealthful working conditions that the consultant uncovers, will
not be routinely reported to the OSHA enforcement staff.
Your only obligation will be to commit yourself to correcting
serious job safety and health hazards -- a commitment which you
are expected to make prior to the actual visit and carry out in a
timely manner.
GETTING STARTED: Since consultation is a voluntary
activity, you must request it. Your telephone call or letter sets
the consulting machinery in motion. The consultant will discuss
your specific needs, and conduct research prior to the visit in
preparing to assist you. This ensures that a thorough review of
your firm's safety and health situation occurs.
OPENING CONFERENCE: When the consultant arrives at your
worksite for the scheduled visit, they will first meet with you in
an opening conference to briefly review the consultant's role and
the obligation you incur as an employer.
WALK-THROUGH: Together, you and the consultant will
examine conditions in your workplace. OSHA strongly encourages
maximum employee participation in the walk-through. Better
informed and more alert employees can more easily work with you to
identify and correct potential injury and illness hazards in your
workplace. Talking with employees during the walk-through helps
the consultant identify and judge the nature and extent of
specific hazards.
The consultant will study your entire facility and discuss the
applicable OSHA standards. Consultants also will point out other
safety or health risks which nevertheless may pose safety or
health risks to your employees. They may suggest other measures
such as self-inspection and safety and health training to prevent
future hazardous situations.
A comprehensive consultation also includes: (1) appraisal of
all mechanical and environmental hazards and physical practices;
(2) appraisal of the present job safety and health program or
establishment of one; (3) a conference with management on
findings; (4) a written report of recommendations and agreements;
and (5) training and assistance with implementing recommendations.
CLOSING CONFERENCE: The consultant will then review
detailed findings with you in a closing conference. You will learn
not only what you need to improve, but what you are doing right,
as well. At that time you can discuss problems, possible solutions
and abatement periods to eliminate or control any serious hazards
identified during the walk-through.
In rare instances, the consultant may find an "imminent
danger" situation during the walk-through. If so you must
take immediate action to protect all employees. In certain other
situations -- those which would be judged a "serious
violation" under OSHA criteria -- you and the consultant are
required to develop and agree to a reasonable plan and schedule to
eliminate or control that hazard. The consultants will offer
general approaches and options to you. They may also suggest other
sources for technical help.
ABATEMENT AND FOLLOW THROUGH: Following the closing
conference, the consultant will send you a written report
explaining the findings and confirming any abatement periods
agreed upon. Consultants may also contact you from time to time to
check your progress. You, of course, may always contact them for
assistance.
Ultimately, OSHA does require hazard abatement so that each
consultation visit achieves its objective -- effective employee
protection. If you fail to eliminate or control identified serious
hazards (or an imminent danger) according to the plan and within,
the limits agreed upon, the situation must be referred from
consultation to an OSHA enforcement office for appropriate action.
This has occurred only rarely in the past.
BENEFITS: Knowledge of your workplace hazards and ways
to eliminate them can only improve your own operations -- and the
management of your firm. You will get professional advice and
assistance without hiring additional staff. The consultant can
help you establish or strengthen an employee safety and health
program, making safety and health activities routine
considerations rather than crisis-oriented responses. Fixed
worksites which undergo a comprehensive consultation, correct all
identified hazards, and establish an effective safety and health
program may receive a certificate exempting them from programmed
inspections for one year. The exemption may be limited to smaller
employers and to employees covered by federal OSHA.
THE OFFICE OF SAFETY AND HEALTH CONSULTANTS WILL: ** Help you recognize hazards
in your workplace. ** Suggest general approaches or options for
solving a safety or health problem. ** Identify kinds of help
available if you need further assistance. ** Provide you a written
report summarizing findings. ** Assist you to develop or maintain
an effective safety and health program. ** Provide training and
education for you and your employees. ** Recommend you for a
one-year exclusion from OSHA programmed inspections, once program
criteria are met.
THE OFFICE OF SAFETY AND HEALTH CONSULTANTS WILL NOT: ** Issue citations or
propose penalties for violations of OSHA standards. ** Report
possible violations to OSHA enforcement staff. ** Guarantee that
your workplace will "pass" an OSHA inspection.
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Delaware Department of Labor
Office of Safety and Health Consultation 4425 North Market Street Wilmington, DE 19802 302.761.8219 |
The Windsor
24 N.W. Front Street Suite 100 Milford, DE 19963 302.422.1134 |
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