Situations Requiring a Written Safety Plan (OSHA & MSHA)
OSHA / MSHA requires written safety and health plans when certain hazards or operations are present, including:
- Hazardous chemicals → Written Hazard Communication Program
- Confined space entry → Written Confined Space Entry Program
- Work at heights → Written Fall Protection Program (construction)
- Emergency preparedness → Emergency Action and Fire Prevention Plans
- PPE requirements → Written hazard assessment and PPE procedures
- Equipment or high-hazard operations (e.g., LOTO, cranes, respiratory protection, forklifts, noise) → Operation-specific written safety programs
Aspects of a Safety Policy per OSHA & MSHA
Management Leadership and Employee Involvement
This refers to the commitment and actions of top-level management in promoting and supporting an effective safety program. Key aspects include:
- Making worker safety and health a core organizational value rather than an afterthought.
- Providing the resources — time, money, equipment, training, staffing — needed to implement and maintain safety and health initiatives.
- Setting clear safety and health goals, assigning responsibility for achieving them, and holding people accountable.
- Demonstrating commitment visibly — leading by example, integrating safety into day-to-day decisions, and communicating openly about safety expectations.
A strong management commitment shows employees that safety is as important as productivity or profitability, which helps embed safety into the company culture.
Employee Training Requirements
- Workers must be trained to understand job-specific hazards and how to protect themselves.
- Training is required for regulated tasks such as:
▸ Fall protection
▸ Hazardous chemicals (HazCom)
▸ Confined spaces
▸ Electrical work
▸ Personal protective equipment (PPE) - Employees must demonstrate competency in proper PPE selection, use, limitations, and care.
- Training must occur before hazardous work begins, and again if duties or hazards change.
- Retraining is required if previous instruction is found to be ineffective or outdated.
- Some standards require written documentation of completed training.
Worksite Analysis
A proper Worksite Analysis typically includes:
- Hazard identification — regular inspections, walk-throughs, and job hazard analyses to find dangerous conditions or unsafe work practices before work begins or periodically during operations.
- Evaluation of tasks and processes — assessing each job, process, and piece of equipment for risks (e.g. machinery hazards, chemical exposures, fall/trip hazards, confined spaces, etc.).
- Incident and near-miss analysis — reviewing accidents, injuries, near-misses and “close calls” to understand root causes and adjust practices to prevent recurrence.
- Change management — whenever materials, equipment, processes, work conditions, or personnel change: re-evaluating hazards to ensure safety controls still apply.
- Documentation and tracking — keeping records of hazard assessments, inspection results, corrective actions taken, trainings scheduled or completed, and follow-up checks to confirm effectiveness.
Hazard Prevention and Control
- Eliminate or reduce hazards identified through worksite analysis
- Apply the Hierarchy of Controls:
▸ Eliminate the hazard when possible
▸ Engineering controls to isolate or remove hazards
▸ Administrative controls and safe work practices
▸ PPE as the last line of defense - Ensure equipment is properly maintained and machine guarding is in place
- Monitor hazardous exposures and implement corrective actions when limits are exceeded
- Provide medical services and first aid when required
- Verify that safety controls remain effective over time through inspections and follow-up
Risk Management Consulting
Risk Management Consulting helps employers identify and control workplace hazards to prevent incidents and reduce liability. By aligning with OSHA or MSHA standards and industry best practices, this service improves safety programs, strengthens compliance, and ensures hazards are managed proactively—protecting workers and reducing the risk of costly violations.