OSHA Defense
Preparing for an OSHA Investigation
OSHA inspections typically happen with little to no warning and can have serious consequences for an employer. An experienced OSHA defense attorney knows the inspection process and OSHA’s strategies and can help employers manage the inspection process. Counsel can serve as the primary point of contact with OSHA, help define and limit the scope of the inspection, and ensure that document requests, walk-around procedures, and information sharing are handled strategically and lawfully. Also, with today’s technology, an OSHA attorney can handle an inspection remotely as may be necessary.
A key part of effective inspection management is preparing employees and supervisors for OSHA interviews. An experienced OSHA attorney can explain the interview process, outline employees’ rights and obligations, and help ensure interviews are conducted accurately and professionally. Counsel can also participate in management interviews, helping protect the employer’s legal position and prevent misunderstandings or unnecessary admissions. In addition, an OSHA lawyer can advise on how to safeguard confidential business information and trade secrets, including properly asserting protections when sensitive processes, equipment, or data are involved.
How you interact with an OSHA compliance officer can make a significant difference in the outcome of the inspection. Our attorney, Ian McNeill, has worked with the Houston-area OSHA compliance officers, assistant area directors and area directors over time and has developed a solid rapport with them. He has also worked with compliance officers, assistant area directors and area directors across the United States.
