Consultation Services

What are OR-OSHA consultation services?

OR-OSHA consultation provides many no-cost, confidential services, including:

• Safety, health, and ergonomic hazard assessments
• Recommendations to control and eliminate hazards
• Written program evaluation
• Industrial hygiene services, such as noise monitoring and air sampling
• Hands-on training on health and safety topics
• Safety and health program assistance

OR-OSHA consultants WILL NOT:

• Issue citations or propose penalties for violations of OSHA standards
• Provide other businesses with information about your OR-OSHA participation, hazards, or business processes
• Guarantee that your workplace will “pass” an OR-OSHA inspection

The Benefits For You

Improving your safety and health program can result in fewer accidents, lower injury and illness rates, decreased workers’ compensation costs, increased employee morale, and lower product losses. OR-OSHA can assist you by providing:

• Personal, professional, and relevant assistance specific to your business
• Guidance with establishing a safety committee or improving its effectiveness
• Answers to your questions about OR-OSHA standards

For more information, please see the Oregon OSHA Consultation Services Flyer

The Consultative Process

Our consultants in the fields of workplace safety, industrial hygiene, and ergonomics can help you reduce lost-time accident costs and show you how to make your workplace safer by developing a comprehensive program to manage safety and health.

Request a consultation

To schedule a confidential, no-cost safety, health, or ergonomic consultation for your business, all you have to do is ask. OR-OSHA consultants are available throughout the state. You may request a consultation to review your entire safety and health program, or only to address specific issues. Select one of these convenient ways to request assistance:

• Online
• Call toll-free, (800) 922-2689
• Send an e-mail
• Contact one of OR-OSHA's field offices

After we receive your request, an OR-OSHA consultant will contact you to schedule the on-site visit. Oregon OSHA strongly encourages employee representatives to participate in the consultation.

The on-site visit

A comprehensive visit generally includes the following:

• Opening meeting: The consultant explains his or her role, your responsibilities as an employer, and clarifies the scope of your request.
• Walk-through: You and the consultant examine the conditions in your workplace, including appraisal of mechanical and environmental hazards as well as physical work practices.
• Employee participation: OR-OSHA encourages as much employee participation as possible.
• Research and analysis: If requested, OR-OSHA will conduct relevant research or hazard analysis. Examples might include a noise survey, sampling for welding fumes, or other tests, depending on your business. We will also conduct an assessment of your safety and health program to make sure required written programs are in place.
• Closing meeting: During the closing meeting, the consultant will review with you what you are doing right, and where improvements could be made. At that time, you can discuss problems and possible solutions to eliminate or control hazards identified.

Findings and recommendations

After the consultation, all gathered information is evaluated and included in a detailed written report, which will include findings and recommendations.

Hazard correction and follow through

It is up to you to correct hazards, but OR-OSHA is ready and willing to help you. Eliminating hazards is necessary so that each consultation visit achieves its objective - improved workplace safety and health.

OR-OSHA is available for any future assistance you may need to ensure your continued improvement.