Question 11

Issue a citation describing the violation.

An OSHA inspector has the authority to issue a citation that details the specific violation found at a job site. This citation serves as a formal notification to the employer regarding the safety issue that needs to be addressed.

A) Suspend the contractor's license.

An OSHA inspector does not have the authority to suspend a contractor's license. This action typically falls under the jurisdiction of state licensing boards or other regulatory agencies, not OSHA.

B) Red tag the site.

While OSHA inspectors can take measures to ensure safety on site, red tagging is not a standard procedure under OSHA regulations. Red tags are more commonly associated with equipment that is unsafe to use rather than a direct action taken by OSHA inspectors regarding job sites.

C) Issue a citation describing the violation.

Issuing a citation is a primary responsibility of an OSHA inspector when a violation is discovered. The citation outlines the nature of the violation, the required corrective measures, and may include penalties for non-compliance, making this option the correct choice.

D) Correct the violation.

OSHA inspectors do not correct violations themselves; their role is to identify violations and ensure compliance through citations and recommendations. The responsibility for correcting any safety issues lies with the employer or contractor.

Conclusion

The correct answer is to issue a citation describing the violation, as this is a fundamental duty of OSHA inspectors upon discovering safety infractions. Other options, such as suspending a contractor's license or correcting violations directly, fall outside the purview of an OSHA inspector's authority, which reinforces the importance of citations in promoting workplace safety.