>>> Small Business Considerations ...

OSHA HANDS OUT SMALL BUSINESS HANDBOOK
Small businesses need to meet the same OSHA standards as large companies, but smaller size can make that difficult. Small businesses are less likely to be able to keep safety experts on staff, and with a smaller, leaner staff, employees are usually focused on generating income; time for reading OSHA updates or interpreting regulations tends to be in short supply.

To help small businesses cope, OSHA has published information specifically devoted to assisting them with the establishment of safety and health programs. The information is available at the OSHA Web site and in the newly developed "Small Business Handbook." The Handbook provides a quick reference for small business owners on these topics:

• How and why to create a workplace safety plan
• Where to go for assistance in complying with regulations
• Action plan worksheets
• Policy statements
• Codes of safe practices

The Handbook also includes self-inspection checklists for the following:

• Recordkeeping
• First aid
• Fire protection
• Personal protective equipment
• Ladders
• Exit and egress plans
• Tool usage
• Machine guarding
• Lockout/tagout procedures
• Industrial trucks
• Confined spaces
• Chemical exposure
• Flammable/combustible materials
• Hazard communication
• Electrical requirements
• Noise
• OSHA also provides small businesses with a free, on-site consultation service.  To download a PDF version of the OSHA Small Business Handbook, go to: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/smallbusiness/small-business.pdf.   For links to OSHA small business resources, go to: http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/index.html.