How often does OSHA inspect a workplace? (2023)

How often does OSHA inspect a workplace?

The regulation at 29 CFR 1960.25(c) charges each agency with the responsibility to conduct an annual workplace safety and health inspection.

So, how often does OSHA check for compliance? There's no set schedule. It may interest you to know that OSHA oversees over 7 million worksites. There is no way to inspect each one annually.

29 CFR 1910.160 (b) (10) – “The employer shall train employees designated to inspect, maintain, operate, or repair fixed extinguishing systems and annually review their training to keep them up-to-date in the functions they are to perform.”

In many industries, employee complaints are the single most common reason why OSHA will conduct an inspection at a workplace.

Health and safety reps have the right to carry out an inspection at least once every three months. An experienced rep should try to ensure that they do this. During the inspection, an inspection report form should be completed. A checklist should be used to reduce the chance of missing a potential hazard.

Frequency of workplace inspections

You should use your risk assessment to identify how often you carry out inspection. If you carry out monthly inspections without ever encountering an issue you might then be able to reduce this to every two to three months.

Reply #2: OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard requires employers to review and update the Exposure Control Plan (ECP) at least annually [29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)], even those who currently use appropriate safety devices.

However, wherever OSHA standards require that employee training be conducted "at least annually," OSHA interprets that to mean that employees must be provided re-training at least once every 12 months (i.e., within a time period not exceeding 365 days.)

Your Cal/OSHA certification and OSHA card will not expire. However, employers may require you to complete refresher training periodically, such as every three to five years, to ensure you're up to date on workplace safety and health protocols.

Each month the equipment is in service it must be inspected in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section (each shift). Equipment must not be used until an inspection under this paragraph demonstrates that no corrective action under paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) of this section is required.

Does OSHA do random inspections?

Normally, OSHA conducts inspections without advance notice. Employers have the right to require compliance officers to obtain an inspection warrant before entering the worksite. During the walkaround, compliance officers may point out some apparent violations that can be corrected immediately.