OSHA to continue Automotive Industry Focus in 2016
On October 1st, 2015 the OSHA Regional Office renewed the Local Emphasis Program Targeting the Automotive Industry for 2016.
WHAT ARE THE KEY FACTS OF THE 2016 OSHA AUTOMOTIVE EMPHASIS PROGRAM
- Initially a 2013 to 2014 Program — renewed for 2015 — renewed again for 2016
- The 2013 to 2014 program inspected 137 facilities generating 105 citations
- The 2014 to 2015 program inspected 99 facilities generating 99 citations
- The Emphasis program describes the citations as driving the decision to renew the program “This demonstrate the existence of numerous safety and health hazards in this industry. . .”
- It includes automotive dealerships, general automotive repair shops, automotive transmission shops, quick lube and preventative maintenance shops, auto body repair and paint shops and tire dealers
- The Emphasis program describes lifts ” . . . violations are related to serious hazards with automotive lifts including lack of maintenance, lack of adequate employee training and improper operation. . .”
- The Emphasis program describes their depiction of the industry “. . . In addition, serious health hazards have also been observed in many of these inspections with regard to lack of hazard communication programs, exposure to cleaning acids and lack of adequate respiratory protection programs. . .”
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IDENTIFY COMPLIANCE ITEMS IN YOUR FACILITY?
On AutoRisk’s website is a Mini-Compliance Test which will help you to identify common areas OSHA issues citations in the Automotive Industry.
On AutoRisk’s website is a Mini-Compliance Test which will help you to identify common areas OSHA issues citations in the Automotive Industry.
YOUR TAKEAWAY— Develop an internal PLAN at your business for addressing SURPRISE inspections from REGULATORY AGENCIES, because from the Fire Department to OSHA they show up — and in 2016 OSHA IS AHEAD for automotive businesses in Colorado!