OSHA compliance consulting
OSHA compliance consulting closes the gap between your written safety programs and what a compliance officer will actually check on your floor. Meridian EHS Partners audits against the specific 29 CFR standards that apply to you, fixes the exposures in priority order, and defends you when OSHA is already involved.
What does an OSHA compliance consultant do?
Three jobs, in order of urgency. Before OSHA arrives: audit your operation against the specific standards that apply — machine guarding (1910.212), lockout/tagout (1910.147), hazard communication (1910.1200), powered industrial trucks (1910.178), respiratory protection (1910.134), and the rest — then build the written programs, training, and inspection routines to close what is found. When OSHA arrives: advise during the inspection itself — scope, walkaround, document requests, employee interviews, closing conference. After citations issue: build the abatement case and represent you at the informal conference, where most penalty reductions actually happen.
What happens if OSHA shows up first?
Call (614) 555-0142 while the compliance officer is still in your lobby if you can. You have real rights during an inspection — to limit scope to the subject of the complaint, to accompany the officer, to protect trade secrets, and to contest within 15 business days of receiving citations. In our experience the informal conference routinely produces penalty reductions of 30–70% and reclassification of violations when abatement is documented fast and credibly. One client came to us facing $212,400 in proposed penalties; the final settlement was $18,500. Read how that worked →
How much does OSHA compliance consulting cost?
Compliance audits run $3,500–$12,000 depending on facility size and standard count. Written program packages run $8,000–$25,000. Inspection and citation support is quoted per matter — and is invariably cheaper than the penalty delta it produces. All fees are fixed and quoted in writing before work starts.
Programs we build and audit most
- Lockout/tagout with machine-specific procedures
- Hazard communication and GHS labeling
- Machine guarding assessments
- Powered industrial trucks (forklift) certification
- Fall protection and walking-working surfaces
- Respiratory protection with fit testing
- Confined space entry
- Emergency action and fire prevention plans
- Electrical safe work / arc-flash awareness
- Hearing conservation
- PPE hazard assessments
- OSHA 300/300A recordkeeping
Related services and proof
Frequently asked questions
Can OSHA fine us even if no one has been hurt?
Yes. Penalties attach to the existence of hazards, not to injuries. Serious violations now carry penalties over $16,500 each and willful or repeat violations over $165,000 — and complaint-driven inspections of uninjured workplaces are routine.
Is an OSHA consultant the same as OSHA’s free consultation program?
No. State On-Site Consultation programs are free but come with obligations — identified serious hazards must be corrected on a schedule, and the program is designed for small employers. A private consultant works only for you, on your timeline, with findings that stay private.
Do you handle citation contests and hearings?
We handle the informal conference stage, abatement documentation, and penalty negotiation directly, and we work alongside your OSHA counsel when a formal contest before the OSHRC is the right move. We will tell you plainly which path the facts support.
How do we know which OSHA standards apply to us?
That is the first deliverable of any engagement: an applicability matrix mapping your operations, equipment, and chemicals to specific 1910/1926 standards. Most mid-market plants are surprised to find 10–14 written-program obligations, not the 3–4 they have.