Well Trained Heavy Equipment Operators Never Have To Fear An OSHA Visit

Mention OSHA and contractors, managers and even heavy equipment operators start to get nervous. I don’t know why! If you have received comprehensive training and you implement what you have learned then a visit from the federal government’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspector should be a walk in the park.

Despite rumors to the contrary, OSHA inspectors are not the enemy. Like you, they have a job to do and their job is to ensure that all work places are safe. Your job is to follow all the required occupational health and safety requirements. Heavy equipment operators have a important role to play in workplace safety given the power of their machinery.

One of the biggest differences between formally trained and ‘on-the-job’ trained heavy equipment operators is often their knowledge of occupational safety requirements. All accredited training programs like those offered at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools include safety training. This training is in line with federal legislative requirements.

Serious violations of OSHA requirements can bring fines of up to $7,000 each – and that is each offense and each person. What is known as willful offenses ( that is – the blatant disregard for OSHA rules) can cost up to $70,000 each. That is a lot of money which could potentially cripple a business and cost you your job – and your career. The last thing you need is a reputation for being a heavy equipment operator that ignores occupational safety requirements.

It sounds serious, and it is, yet by undertaking a good safety training program and following the safety requirements for each workplace, no heavy equipment operator need fear a visit from the OSHA inspectors.