The primary objective of the Consultation Program is to help employers recognize and
control potential safety and health hazards in the workplace. Consultative surveys usually consist of on-site
safety and health visits; although the Program also offers assistance in other areas (refer to
Technical Support). Employers can request a comprehensive
(wall to wall) safety and health survey, or may limit the survey to specific options.
Since this service is voluntary, you must request a consultative visit. Your request sets the
consultative process in motion; refer to Requesting a Visit. The Consultation Program prioritizes each
request received and schedules on-site inspections accordingly. The program gives priority to smaller
businesses (less than 250 employees per establishment or 500 employees nationwide) in high hazard industries.
On-site consultative visits include the following general components:
- Opening Conference - review of the consultant's role and the employer's obligations.
- Walk-Through Survey - consultant(s) examines conditions at your workplace, points out potential safety
or health hazards, discuses applicable OSHA standards or interpretations, and recommends possible control
measures. Areas of consultation include machine guarding, electrical safety, flammable storage, fall
protection, trenching and excavation safety. The Consultation Program strongly encourages employee
participation in the walk-through survey.
- Written Programs Evaluation - consultant(s) will evaluate the adequacy of all OSHA-required written
programs; such as hazard communication, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, bloodborne pathogens,
forklift and forktruck, respirator program and respirator program and respirator fit tests, and offer
recommendations for improvement. Consultants can also help you establish or strengthen your safety and
health program.
- Monitoring - health consultants can perform air testing, noise testing and ventilation testing as
necessary at your worksite.
- Closing conference - the consultant(s) reviews findings, offers possible solutions, and schedules
abatement periods to eliminate or control any "serious" or imminent danger" hazards.
- Written Report - following the closing conference, the consultant(s) will send you a detailed written
report explaining all findings, possible control measures, and confirming abatement periods discussed in
the closing conference.
- Abatement Verification - employers are obligated to submit written confirmation to the Consultation
Program verifying that all "serious hazards have been abated. All "imminent hazards" must be corrected the
day of the visit.
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