1. Initial contact — Typically, you do not receive advance notice of the inspection. Cal/OSHA makes three exceptions and will provide advance notice in the following situations:

• When an apparent imminent hazard requires prompt correction by the employer.
• To ensure essential personnel’s availability; access to the site, equipment or process; or when it must be conducted after hours.
• When the Cal/OSHA chief or his/her designee decides that advance notice would make a more thorough inspection possible.

2. Opening conference — The Cal/OSHA inspector presents credentials and states reasons for the inspection to someone with the authority to grant consent to the inspection. You can ask to postpone the inspection, but only for a good reason, such as:

• All essential personnel are not available.
• The inspector’s credentials or stated reason for the inspection lack credibility.

• Inspectors hold sufficient authority to obtain search warrants if you refuse the inspection.

3. Document request — The inspector usually requests the following documents to review:

• Your written IIPP.
• Your experience modification rate from your insurer, if applicable.
• Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Log - Form 300, Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Summary - Form 300A and Injury and Illness Incident Report - Form 301 for the current year and for the five previous years.
• Permits, registrations and any variances from Title 8 Safety Orders.
• Any written programs required by a standard that regulates your business.
• Codes of safe practice at a construction site.

• Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Log - Form 300
• Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Summary - Form 300A
• Injury and Illness Incident Report - Form 301

4. Walk-through — Inspectors conduct a walk-through of the premises, accompanied by key personnel from your organization.
• The inspection may be a partial inspection, limited to the area defined by the stated reasons for the inspection, or it may be a comprehensive inspection of your entire workplace.
• Typically, you should restrict the inspector’s access to the areas specifically designated for inspection. However, this may prove to be difficult or not possible.
• During a comprehensive inspection, the inspector may stop to examine machinery, interview employees and observe working situations. Your personnel accompanying the inspector may be asked to explain or answer questions about the work process.

5. Exit and closing conferences — When the inspection concludes, the inspector:
   • Summarizes the results;
   • Makes pertinent observations;
   • Discusses findings and conclusions; and
   • Requests information, documents or additional inspections.

If the Cal/OSHA inspector does not issue any citations, the exit conference ends and nothing else follows. If the inspection results in a citation or other action, such as a Special Order, Cal/OSHA schedules a formal closing conference approximately one month after the citation is issued.