ABSTRACT
Information regarding inspections, citations, and proposed penalties is found in 29 CFR 1903, the general purpose of which is to provide general enforcement guidelines. Inspections, citations, and penalties are part of the governmental program to ensure that workplaces are in compliance with the Act and subsequent standards. If an employer refuses to provide a compliance officer with the opportunity to inspect any place of employment, the compliance officer will either terminate the inspection or limit the inspection to areas where access has been granted. Inspections will generally be conducted without warning to the employer. In some situations, advance notice may be given to an employer of no more than 24 hours. Throughout the course of an inspection, a representative of both the company and employees may accompany the compliance officer. Additional representatives may be involved if the compliance officer thinks that their presence will assist in the inspection.
