Question 1

How many OSHA inspections has SMA ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTION, INC. had?

Accepted Answer

SMA ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTION, INC. has been inspected 1 times by OSHA between Jul 28, 1998 and Jul 28, 1998, with 0 violations and $0 in penalties on record.

Question 2

How does Minnesota's state OSHA plan work?

Accepted Answer

Minnesota operates its own OSHA-approved state plan through Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA), covering both private and public sector workers. MNOSHA 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 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.

Question 5

How does OSHA select employers for programmed inspections?

Accepted Answer

OSHA uses objective data to select employers for programmed inspections. Selection criteria include industry injury and illness rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, participation in National or Local Emphasis Programs targeting specific hazards, and employer-specific data such as reported injury rates from OSHA Form 300A submissions. The selection process is designed to focus limited inspection resources on workplaces with the highest potential for serious injuries and illnesses.

Question 6

How can I check if a company has OSHA violations before accepting a job?

Accepted Answer

You can search for any employer's OSHA inspection history on SafetyRecord.org by entering the company name. Look at the number and type of violations (Serious, Willful, Repeat), the recency of inspections, and whether violations were corrected. A clean record or only minor violations is a positive sign. Companies in construction, manufacturing, and warehousing are inspected more frequently, so having inspections on record is normal for those industries.

Question 7

What should I look for in a company's OSHA record before taking a job?

Accepted Answer

Key factors to review: (1) Violation types, with Willful and Repeat being the most concerning. (2) Whether violations are recent or historical. (3) The ratio of violations to inspections. (4) Whether fatality or catastrophe inspections appear. (5) Whether cited violations have documented abatement (correction) dates. A company with many inspections but few violations likely has a strong safety program. Context matters: large employers and high-hazard industries naturally have more inspections.

SMA ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTION, INC.