The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires a written certification that a hazard assessment has been performed. However, there is no requirement for the hazard assessment itself to be in writing. Most professionals would suggest that written documentation of the actual assessment, although not literally required, would be a best practice.

As a safety professional, please address your thoughts on written documentation of the hazard assessment. If you were audited by OSHA, how would you prove the assessment has been performed if you did not have anything in writing? Do you believe justification of the hazard assessment proves the point? 200 words or more