Make advance plans for OSHA inspections

March 29, 2005
Companies in the tank truck industry should be prepared for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections by having company-wide plans in place so that employees know how to react, said Marcel Debruge of Burr and Forman LLP.

Companies in the tank truck industry should be prepared for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections by having company-wide plans in place so that employees know how to react, said Marcel Debruge, an attorney with the firm of Burr and Forman LLP.

He made the comments at the National Tank Truck Carriers Cleaning Council Seminar March 28-29 in Phoenix AZ.

Various types of OSHA inspections allow various responses, he said.

"Companies that know how to react on a moment's notice will do better," Debruge said.

He recommended that companies take an approach that is "grounded in reality" by being cooperative while understanding what their roles require, asking what type of inspections brings the inspectors to the facility, and seeing that the inspection is specific to the complaint.

He reminded managers to review their OSHA policies and documentation annually to ensure requirements are being met.