Question 1

How many OSHA inspections has DEMETER INCORPORATED had?

Accepted Answer

DEMETER INCORPORATED has been inspected 1 times by OSHA between Jul 12, 1989 and Jul 12, 1989, with 0 violations and $0 in penalties on record.

Question 2

How does Indiana's state OSHA plan work?

Accepted Answer

Indiana operates its own OSHA-approved state plan through the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA), covering both private and public sector workers. IOSHA conducts inspections and enforces standards at least as effective as federal OSHA.

Question 3

Why do some OSHA inspections result in zero penalties?

Accepted Answer

Not every OSHA inspection results in penalties. Inspections may find no violations, or the violations cited may be classified as Other-than-Serious with penalties reduced or waived. OSHA considers several factors when determining penalties, including employer size (small employers receive reductions), good faith efforts (having an effective safety program), and history (first-time offenders may receive lower penalties).

Question 4

What is a planned (programmed) OSHA inspection?

Accepted Answer

Planned inspections are part of OSHA's proactive enforcement strategy. OSHA selects workplaces for inspection based on objective criteria such as industry injury rates, participation in National or Local Emphasis Programs (NEPs/LEPs), or targeting of specific high-hazard industries. Being selected for a planned inspection does not indicate that OSHA has received a complaint or that a specific hazard has been reported.

Question 5

What is a de minimis violation?

Accepted Answer

A de minimis violation is a technical violation of an OSHA standard that has no direct or immediate relationship to safety or health. De minimis violations are documented but do not result in citations or penalties. For example, a guardrail that is 41 inches high instead of the required 42 inches, but is otherwise adequate, might be classified as de minimis. These violations do not appear in OSHA's public enforcement data.

Question 6

Can employees refuse to work if conditions are unsafe?

Accepted Answer

Under limited circumstances, employees may refuse to perform work if they reasonably believe they face an imminent danger of death or serious injury. Before refusing, the employee should ask the employer to correct the hazard and, if possible, contact OSHA. The conditions for a protected work refusal are narrow: the danger must be imminent, the employee must have asked the employer to fix it, and there must not have been time to get the hazard corrected through normal channels.

Question 7

What happens during the opening conference of an OSHA inspection?

Accepted Answer

At the start of an inspection, the OSHA compliance officer holds an opening conference with the employer. During this conference, the inspector presents credentials, explains the reason for the inspection (complaint, programmed, referral, etc.), describes the scope of the inspection, and outlines employer and employee rights. The employer may designate a representative to accompany the inspector during the walkaround. Employee representatives also have the right to participate.

DEMETER INCORPORATED