If OSHA were to inspect our educational facility, what might they look for?

If OSHA were to inspect your educational facility, their response would be similar to that of any private industry organization and the regulations that would apply would be based on the hazards that the employees are exposed to in the organization. With such a wide variety of different types of facilities including general education k-12, technical colleges, and universities, each would require a hazard assessment to determine the regulation that would apply. However, there are some regulatory requirements that are common to most organizations including:

• Injury and illness recordkeeping (29 CFR 1904)
• Emergency planning and exit routes (1910.33-38)
• Medical services and first aid (1910.151)
• Fire prevention and protection (1910.39, 1910.157-165)
• Electrical safety (1910.303-307)
• Machine guarding and safety controls on equipment (1910.212)
• Mobile work platforms and forklifts 1910.66-68 and 1910.178)
• Fall prevention and protection (1910.140)
• Walking-working surfaces, including ladders (1910.22-28)
• Confined spaces (1910.146)
• Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)
• Hazard communication (1910.1200)
• Toxic and hazards substances (especially asbestos — 1910.1001, and lead — 1910.1025)
• Laboratory safety (1910.1450)
• Hazardous material and chemical storage (1910.101-111)
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) (1910.132-140)
• Facility security (under the General Duty Clause 5(a)(1))