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Efficent Use of Time
OSHA's "free" web-based establishment search utility is ineffciently designed and results in a high percentage of mismatched returns. Users must cull through these to find the matches of interest. When matches are found, users must view as many as four hypertext links to obtain a complete inspection history. Our online and hard copy reports present the most relevent and important data elements on one conveniently formatted report page. Couple this with upload/download delays and high volume traffic encountered when accessing OSHA's website, users waste valuable time that could otherwise be put to more productive use. Thus, OSHA's "free" service is not free after all. It simply boils down to a question of whose time, a non-recoverable and non-renewable resource, is more valuable.
Decoding of Federal and 18(b) Section Numbers
When hard copy computer printouts are requested directly from OSHA, they only provide the section numbers of violations cited by their compliance officers. Readers must turn to a current copy of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to identify the actual standard which was cited. Also, certain 18(b) state plan states use state-specific regulations which do not correspond to the CFR. We currently have decoding tables linked to our online and hard copy reports for all federal and 18(b) state plan standards which provide the English titles of every cited standard.
OSHRC Docket Numbers
If an employer has contested violations issued by OSHA and brought a case before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), our reports include the corresponding Docket Number.
OSHA Area Office Addresses
Unlike government computer printouts which only provide the OSHA Area Office Reporting ID Number, our reports include the both the federal OSHA or 18(b) state plan state area office name and address.
SIC Code Titles
The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes of all inspected establishments have been decoded into their English titles.
BLS 3 and 4 Digit LWDI Data
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) annual Lost Work Day Injury (LWDI) data at the 3 and 4 digit SIC code level and corresponding inspection year are included for each inspection wherever such government data is available. This permits a direct comparison of the employer’s LWDI, where reported, to other employers in their industry.
Thorough Establishment Name Searches
OSHA may not thoroughly search their database to identify all records associated with a given establishment name. For example, if they are asked to search for the records of "Johnson Brothers Plumbing", they can only be expected to look under that exact name match. If we are requested to do the search, we will look under a host of possible variants such as "Johnson Bros." "Jonson Brothers" and all manner of possible punctuation’s, spacing and misspellings. We know from experience and intimate knowledge of OSHA’s own data they frequently misspell or use inconsistent naming conventions when entering establishment names.
Establishment Mailing Addresses
Reports obtained from the government contain only the inspection site address. Our reports contain both the inspection site and mailing address of the inspected establishment, which aids in company identification.
No Need for Formal FOIA Request Letters
OSHA compliance history printouts obtained from the government are not free. And requests for searches on multiple establishment names may even be refused as being unduly burdensome. If requests are made, they must be formally submitted in writing in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and charges are assessed, some as high as $150 per name searched. Also, our reports are much better organized and understandable compared to the continuous feed paper printouts from OSHA.
Rapid Turnaround - Even Same Day FAX - At No Extra Charge
We can offer same day FAX turnaround time on reports. However, sometimes the physical size of a report makes it impractical to FAX and it must be shipped FED EX. Government turnaround time can be lengthy.
Custom Data Extractions in Various Formats and Media
OSHA's establishment search utility does not permit creation of complex queries of their online data. We can provide customized complex data extractions in virtually any electronic format. Available media included 3.5" diskette, 8 mm tape, CD ROM, Iomega ZIP diskette or 9 track tape. Files can also be transmitted via Internet e-mail.
Data Interpretation by Certified Industrial Hygienists
We offer expert consultation and data interpretation/analysis which is generally unavailable from the government.
Copyright 2003 OSHA DATA (tm), Maplewood, NJ.
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