How to Prepare for an OSHA Inspection This Winter

Winter brings more than snow and ice—it brings increased OSHA inspections, especially in high-risk industries like construction, manufacturing, and stone fabrication. As detailed in our Working In The Cold resource, cold weather hazards, distracted workers, and seasonal conditions all put your compliance practices under the microscope. 

According to OSHA data, more than 32,000 inspections were conducted last year, with over $191 million in penalties issued. Many violations—like poor housekeeping, unsafe walking surfaces, or incomplete training—spike during the colder months when companies rush to finish projects or neglect winter-specific risks.

This data-packed, step-by-step guide—plus our Working In The Cold resource—will help you prepare for an OSHA inspection this winter so you stay compliant, confident, and citation-free.

❄️ Why OSHA Inspections Increase in Winter

1. Seasonal Hazards

Winter conditions amplify workplace risks—slips, trips, falls, cold stress, and poor lighting. OSHA inspectors often target these hazards because they’re among the top five causes of recordable injuries each winter.

Fact: Slips, trips, and falls account for 26% of all winter workplace injuries, costing employers an estimated $47,000 per claim (BLS & NSC).

2. Maintenance & Housekeeping Issues

Snow, slush, and cluttered entryways can violate 29 CFR 1910.22, OSHA’s walking-working surfaces standard. Inspectors frequently cite companies for not maintaining clear and dry work areas during winter.

3. Complacency & Rushed Work

End-of-year deadlines often lead to shortcuts—missing PPE, incomplete inspections, or outdated safety logs. OSHA knows this, which is why unannounced winter inspections often focus on documentation and employee awareness.

🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Prepare for an OSHA Inspection This Winter

Step 1: Conduct a Winter Safety Audit

Start with a full workplace walkthrough focusing on cold-weather hazards.

What to check:

• Snow and ice removal logs

• Slip-resistant footwear policies

• Proper lighting in outdoor and indoor transition zones

• Condition of mats, stairs, and handrails

• PPE availability (insulated gloves, boots, and outerwear)

💡 Ving Tip: Use a Winter Safety Inspection Checklist in Ving to assign, complete, and document audits across multiple sites. Upload photos for proof of compliance and track completion in real time.

Step 2: Review Training Compliance

OSHA inspectors will ask for evidence of employee training—especially for topics like cold stress, PPE, and hazard communication.

Fact: In 2024, 61% of OSHA citations involved either missing or insufficient training documentation (OSHA Annual Report).

✅ Use Ving to:

• Assign required training on winter hazards, slips/trips/falls, and cold stress prevention.

• Set auto-repeat schedules to reassign training every quarter.

• Track completions, due dates, and verification reports—all stored digitally for inspector review.

Step 3: Verify Required Signage & Communication

Inspectors look for visible, clear, and current safety signage. This includes emergency exits, PPE reminders, and hazard area warnings.

Checklist:

• “Watch for Ice” and “Wet Floor” signs near entrances

• Winter PPE reminders posted in locker rooms or break areas

• Updated OSHA 300A summary (posted February 1–April 30)

• Accessible SDS (Safety Data Sheets) for de-icers and cleaning chemicals

💡 Ving Tip: Send a micro-burst training on winter signage requirements to remind supervisors what must be visible during inspections.

Step 4: Organize Documentation Before They Arrive

When an OSHA inspector shows up, they’ll request:

• Safety policies and written programs

• Training logs and attendance records

• Injury and illness logs (OSHA 300/301)

• Equipment and PPE inspection records

• Hazard communication documentation

Fact: Missing documentation is among the top three reasons for citations, averaging $4,500 per recordkeeping violation (OSHA.gov).

💡 Pro Tip: With Ving, all records are stored digitally. You can instantly export a report showing training completion rates, dates, and proof of participation.

Step 5: Prepare Your Employees

Inspectors often interview employees to verify understanding of safety procedures.
Make sure workers can answer questions confidently, such as:

• “What do you do if you see ice on the walkway?”

• “Where is your nearest first aid kit or fire extinguisher?”

• “When was your last safety training?”

✅ Run a short “OSHA Readiness Quiz” through Ving before winter inspections. It’s a quick, engaging way to refresh employee knowledge and document participation.

Step 6: Focus on Top Winter Violations

Based on OSHA’s 2024 inspection data, these were the most frequently cited violations in cold-weather months:

💡 Ving Tip: Assign a Winter Violation Prevention Toolbox Talk through Ving to review these topics with your team.

Step 7: Keep an “Inspection-Ready” Culture Year-Round

OSHA inspections can happen any day, any season. The best defense is an always-ready safety culture.

With Ving, you can:

• Automate seasonal training so it repeats annually.

• Set recurring inspections for high-risk areas.

• Track real-time analytics showing who’s compliant and who needs follow-up.

• Centralize all data—so when OSHA arrives, you’re just one click away from full documentation.

Data Insight: Companies using digital safety systems like Ving see up to 47% fewer citations and a 30% increase in inspection readiness scores (Ving Internal Data, 2025).

📊 Key OSHA Winter Inspection Data Snapshot

❄️ Final Thoughts: Stay Compliant, Stay Confident

Preparing for an OSHA inspection this winter isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about protecting your people and proving your commitment to safety. The companies that perform best during inspections don’t rely on last-minute paperwork—they rely on consistent, data-driven processes that make compliance automatic.

With Ving, you can:
✅ Digitize your entire winter inspection process
✅ Assign and track all required training
✅ Maintain OSHA-ready documentation
✅ Prove compliance in seconds—no binders, no stress

Stay ready, not reactive.
👉 Schedule a demo at vingapp.com and see how easy it is to prepare for your next OSHA inspection this winter.