$16,550 per serious violation. One inspection can cite multiple standards.
OSHA Is Coming. Here’s How to Prepare in 24 Hours.
You can’t undo what’s on your job site, but you can organize your documentation and prepare your team before the inspector arrives.
5 Things to Do Before the Inspector Arrives
- 1
Identify your most likely citation areas.
What trade work are you doing? Fall protection, scaffolding, excavation, electrical — pull the relevant OSHA standard and walk the site with that standard in hand.
- 2
Pull all training records for the past 12 months.
Verify completeness: dates, signatures, topics covered. Missing or unsigned records are a documentation violation independent of whether the training actually happened.
- 3
Walk the job site and photograph any hazard.
Photograph everything you can correct, then correct it. Don’t wait. OSHA can’t cite a hazard that no longer exists.
- 4
Brief your site supervisor on OSHA inspection rights.
They have the right to accompany the inspector (walkaround), take their own photos, and take notes. They should be professional, cooperative, and not volunteer information beyond what’s asked.
- 5
Organize your documentation into one accessible location.
Daily logs, incident reports, safety programs, training records, equipment certifications. If you can’t find it in 5 minutes, OSHA will note the gap.
What an Unprepared Inspection Looks Like
- OSHA cites every visible violation. Multiple citations = multiple $16,550 penalties.
- Disorganized documentation signals a safety program that exists on paper only — OSHA upgrades violations to higher severity.
- If OSHA finds prior awareness of a hazard without correction, violations are classified as willful ($165,514 each).
- Inspection results are public record on OSHA.gov within weeks.
These Are the 5 Documentation Systems OSHA Checks
The Defense Kit includes 12 structured templates covering daily logs, incident documentation, training records, certifications, and corrective action tracking — the same 5 systems OSHA evaluates during an inspection. Fill them in with your existing records before the inspector arrives.
30-day money-back guarantee. Instant download.
Already received a citation? Start your response plan instead.
Common Questions
Can I refuse an OSHA inspection?
You can require OSHA to obtain a warrant before entering, but this rarely benefits contractors and can signal obstruction. Most inspections proceed with employer cooperation. You do have the right to accompany the inspector during the walkaround and to contest citations afterward.
What does OSHA look for during an inspection?
OSHA inspectors check documentation (training records, daily logs, incident reports, certifications), physical conditions (fall protection, scaffolding, trenching, housekeeping), and employee knowledge. They can also request to interview employees privately.
How long does an OSHA inspection take?
A focused inspection of one standard may take 2-4 hours. A comprehensive inspection of a large site can take multiple days. The inspection itself is just the beginning — OSHA typically takes 6 weeks to 6 months to issue citations after the walkaround.
What if OSHA finds violations during the inspection?
OSHA will issue a citation after the inspection (not during). You have 15 working days from receipt to contest. In the meantime, you must correct cited hazards by the abatement date on the citation or request an extension with evidence of good faith progress.