On-Site Services
Some consulting and training services are best delivered on-site. VSM provides assistance to companies who wish to create a safe and healthy work environment in compliance with all applicable OSHA regulations by offering on-site services in addition to our on line services. On-site consulting and training services are delivered at the customer's facility.
On-Site Consulting Services (click on a topic below for more details)
VSM consultants provide a complete physical and programmatic compliance audit of virtually any industrial facility. The audit involves a walkthrough of the entire facility as well as a review of records and program documentation.
Based on observations made during the walkthrough, all aspects of compliance issues are comprehensively reported. Included in the report are noteworthy areas documenting positive accomplishments relative to safety and health. The report concludes with a four-category priority listing of all findings, providing the customer with a “graded approach” to corrective actions. This allows the employer the opportunity to make an informed decision relative to prioritizing corrective actions. These audits are usually conducted using one to three consultants, depending on the size of the facility.
Both OSHA and MSHA compliance audits can be prepared.
VSM consultants develop written compliance programs for all areas of OSHA and MSHA compliance. These programs are documented in an easy-to-follow bulleted format that makes them very user-friendly. Because OSHA requires written programs to be site-specific, each written document not only complies with regulatory requirements but also is specific to the facility for which it was developed. The customer is never provided with a generic “boiler-plate” product, as most consulting firms offer. Having professional consultants develop individual programs not only saves time and money, it helps ensure that all regulatory requirements for written compliance programs are met.
VSM applies a unique design for developing comprehensive safety and health manuals and companion employee requirements in a safety handbook. The concept is simplified by the use of a site-specific questionnaire completed by the customer with the assistance of VSM consultants. The questionnaire contains pertinent questions specific to regulatory requirements for a written compliance program. Upon completion of the questionnaire, VSM consultants assimilate the information into a program manual. After completion of the program manual, the employee safety program requirements are “extracted” from the program manual and formatted into a handbook to be distributed to all employees. In this manner, employees are not overwhelmed with complete program requirements and can focus on the areas in which they have responsibilities. The manuals and handbooks can be printed with customer logos and delivered in a completed manual and handbook format as well as an electronic version for customer printing.
Various medical surveillance services are also available. Included in these services are pulmonary function tests for respirator users, audiometric exams (hearing tests), pre-employment screening and physicals as well as physical exams for asbestos and HazMat team members
OSHA requires that employers have a written hearing conservation program when employees are exposed to 85 decibels and above on an 8-hour time-weighted average. Mandatory hearing protection is required when documented levels of noise exposure levels exceed 90 decibels or above. VSM consultants can perform both ambient noise mapping and personal dosimetry to develop the required documentation.
Activities in many facilities create airborne contaminants making air monitoring necessary to evaluate potential hazardous levels of contaminants. VSM consultants can perform air quality assessments, determine employee exposures, and assure that all exposures are in accordance with requirements of 29 CFR, 1910.1000, Air Contaminants.
To support compliance with 29 CFR, 1910.132, VSM consultants conduct assessments to determine PPE requirements. Results are provided in a comprehensive report that identifies the task evaluated and corresponding recommended PPE