Now is a good time to refocus on municipal workplace safety and ensure readiness for onsite inspections by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, the state agency responsible for worker safety.

Massachusetts is in the process of becoming a State Plan state, meaning that the Commonwealth will be operating its own Occupational Safety and Health Administration-approved workplace health and safety programs.

Under state law, all public sector employees are required to comply with OSHA regulations, and the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards can make unannounced visits at any time based on established criteria to evaluate workplace conditions and to provide recommendations for the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses. The department may issue a written warning when a potential injury-causing situation is found, followed by a civil citation and penalty if it is not corrected.

“Municipalities that work hard to create a culture of safety through workplace training, with implementation of standard operating procedures that address potential injury causes, and through self-auditing, are much better prepared for these inspections,” said Lin Chabra, senior manager of Risk Management at MIIA.

Cities, towns, and municipal entities are ultimately responsible for working continuously to improve safety protocols, she said.

The DLS Workplace Safety and Health Program website provides detailed information to help employers comply with OSHA regulations. MIIA works closely with the DLS to educate members about requirements and DLS inspection protocols, through webinars and other training materials.