Any auto shop business owner knows that an OSHA (occupational safety and health association) audit can be a stressful and scary experience. If these audits fail, they can cost the business several thousands of dollars in fines. OSHA can come to a facility unannounced if an employee, customer, or passerby notices occupational safety hazards. All employees should have “the right to know” about the hazards in the shop. If you have owned a body shop for along while or are just starting out, here are 5 ways you can keep your auto body shop OSHA compliant.

1.Keep your employees informed: You must notify all employees of the hazards they can encounter in the shop. This includes everything from chemicals to dangerous machinery. Everything should be labeled with safety hazards and instructions for proper usage. If an employee has not been made aware of the hazards of certain items, they should not use the items until proper training can occur. You should also keep an updated hazard communication program readily available for employees to look at.

2.Make sure you are providing the proper personal protection equipment for employees. A lot of OSHA violations come from not providing equipment such as respirators, hearing protection, and fire extinguishers. Find out what PPE you need for the equipment you have and be sure to make sure it is in good working condition.

3.Make sure your shop is organized and clutter free. Walkways should be free of debris and all unused tools should be put away. Your electric wiring should also be up to code and you should have a specialized booth for spray finishing and spraying of flammable materials.

4.You should have proper storage in place for flammable materials. Shops can’t have more 60 gallons of combustible materials stored outside of a mixing room. You should have a specific cabinet for storing flammables that is far away from all heat sources. All flammable material containers must have a secure lid.

5.Be sure to have fall and slip protection in place. Any auto repair business is bound to have several slip and fall hazards. Shop owners must offer protection such as guardrails and they should purchase their employees slip resistant footwear. Spills should always be cleaned up immediately and walkways should be kept free of excessive clutter.