Final answer:
Falsifying records subject to an OSHA inspection can result in criminal charges. Accurate records are mandatory under the OSH Act, and maintaining workplace safety through honest reporting is crucial for both employer and employee rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The action associated with an OSHA inspection that can result in criminal charges is falsifying records subject to the inspection. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), it is a criminal offense to make false statements, representations or certifications in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained pursuant to the OSH Act. The penalties for this act can include criminal charges, alongside other consequences such as citations and fines. Employers have numerous responsibilities, including maintaining accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses, providing safety training in a language understandable to workers, and notifying OSHA of severe workplace incidents such as fatalities or hospitalizations.
It is important to note that OSHA inspections are conducted without advance notice and prioritize imminent danger scenarios, worker complaints, targeted inspections, among others. The rights provided to workers, which include the ability to file confidential complaints and participate in inspections, underscore the importance of employer transparency and compliance with safety standards to prevent workplace hazards.