Across industries, we see the same compliance issues appear again and again when businesses prepare for inspections or review their safety documentation.
Here are some of the issues we see the most and what to do about them before they turn into citations.
This is likely the most common issue. Fire extinguishers haven’t been checked. Eyewash stations haven’t been flushed. Forklift inspections are getting skipped or not documented.
Fix: Put a simple system in place and stick to it. Same schedule, same process every time, and make sure it’s documented. This is an easy item to implement!
We see this regularly. A company has a safety manual, but it doesn’t reflect how work is actually being done at all.
That’s a problem, because inspectors compare your documentation to your operations.
Fix: Update your safety program so it actually matches your current job assignments, equipment, and workflow.
A lot of teams are doing the right thing with training their employees. But training has to be recorded, or it essentially never happened.
Fix: Track ALL training – EVERYTHING. Make sure it’s tied to job roles and hazards, and that you can pull records quickly if needed.
Include: Employee Name, Training Topic, Date(s) of Training, Trainer’s Name, and Method of Training at a minimum.
Unguarded or poorly guarded equipment shows up a lot, especially on older setups or equipment that’s been modified over time.
This is an issue that inspectors notice immediately. Put those guards on those hand grinders!
Fix: Walk your worksite with a critical eye. If there’s a moving part that could cause injury, it needs proper guarding.
PPE is on-site but not always being used, or it’s being used incorrectly.
This usually comes down to enforcement, not availability.
Fix: Make expectations clear, train on proper use, and actually enforce it day-to-day.
None of these are complicated issues.
Labor Safety Group helps businesses identify compliance gaps before they become larger operational issues.