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I've found CCIS's "inspections" to be very helpful in identifying possible "trouble" areas that OSHA and/or other agencies could find "disagreeable." I don't believe that asking OSHA to conduct an inspection to try to address "trouble areas" is any guarantee that OSHA's "informal inspection" wouldn't result in formal violations. It used to be that you could invite them in and they'd give you a list of possible violations without it becoming a formal enforcement. But since the very unfortunate events occurred in Coos Bay a few years ago, I think that "standard" has changed where everything's now game.

It is much better to have CCIS than OSHA perform this service. In addition to looking for problems, they may actually discover that some areas of your Ctiy's operations are either not covered or not covered enough. We had to go through and reinstitute (or formally create) procedures and records for a CIS inspection some years back that took a lot of time and created a lot of stress, which eventually led to a lot of after-hours "refreshments." But, it was well worth it because we are as compliant with OSHA as we can possibly be (at least until the next inspection ;-) ); where we weren't even close before. Guess what I'm saying is that it is better to go through this "headache" now, in conjunction with CCIS, than to go through it with OSHA where you could face fines of $5,000 to $100,000 for not having everything up to code...in addition to the fact that you'll still have to do all the paperwork, etc.

I know - imagine me being positive over insurance - guess I've been swayed to the dark side by the music of Noel and Dany's Boys over the years. ;-) Seriously, it is well worth the effort with CIS and these investigations...gotta remember, since Coos Bay (and a few other incidents), OSHA has been under fire for not being "proactive" enough. That, ladies and gentleman, is a very scarry (and depressing) thought!!!