Many stone fabricators and restoration contractor and installers will be visited by their local Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspector this year. The best thing to do when they come knocking is to be prepared.

Preparation means having everything in order. This includes your safety manual and HAZCOM program. Visit Safety and Complaint's website for HAZCOM and Safety manuals for the stone industry at. Make sure your MSDS are available and complete. The following checklist should help you be ready. Remember, it’s not if, but when they will make a surprise visit.

Visit OSHA’s Small Business Handbook for checklists on the following areas and more:

Employer
Recordkeeping
Safety and health
Medical services
Fire protection
Personal protective equipment and clothing
General work environment
Portable ladders
Hand tools, power tools, power-actuated tools
Welding, cutting and brazing
Compressors
Hoist and auxiliary equipment
Forklifts
Spraying operations
Flammable and combustible materials
Hazardous substances and exposure