Category: Enforcement and Inspection

As today’s workplace becomes more complex, regulation of that workplace increases. In this section, you’ll find the practical advice you need to understand exactly what OSHA, other federal agencies, and their state counterparts, require of you, and to comply in the ways that best satisfy both your and their needs. Look also for important court decisions, advice on how to handle enforcement actions, and news of upcoming changes in workplace health and safety law.

Free Special Report: What to Expect from an OSHA Inspection

Updates and Reforms Proposed for OSHAct

Updates and reforms to OSHAct are being proposed in Congress and elsewhere. You may wish to make your voice heard in this conversation. U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has reintroduced legislation she says will help ensure that workers are safeguarded in the 21st century economy. The Protecting America’s Workers Act (PAWA) amends and updates the […]

Pitfalls of Noncompliance: Part 2

Yesterday, we presented a number of OSHA enforcement actions that demonstrate the pitfalls of noncompliance. Today, we conclude with some more employers who were snagged in OSHA’s inspection and enforcement actions. Contractor Improperly Removed Asbestos Asbestos remediation company (New York)       OSHA Region 2 Safety and health violations: According to OSHA, the company was cited for […]

Pitfalls of Noncompliance

Injury and illness prevention is always a big issue for safety professionals especially when incidents result in days away from work. Many companies are responding with injury and illness prevention plans. Repeat Violator to Pay More Than $125k Soft drink company (Pennsylvania)                     OSHA Region 3 Safety and health violations: According to OSHA, the repeat violations […]

Navigate Your Way Safely Through the Inspection/Enforcement Process

Here’s some information about inspections and enforcement actions that can help you successfully navigate your way around big problems and costly penalties. Since OSHA can’t inspect all 7 million workplaces it covers each year, it seeks to focuses its inspection resources on the most hazardous workplaces in the following order of priority: Imminent danger situations—hazards […]

Don’t Get Caught in the Trap—Prepare for OSHA Inspections

Although you may not be able to avoid the “knock on the door,” you can avoid being caught in the enforcement trap by making sure you are prepared for safety and health inspections. It’s critical to do everything possible to be responsive and prepare for all the stages of the inspection process. You actions will […]

OSHA Targets High-Hazard Worksites for Inspections This Year

OSHA has issued its annual site-specific targeting plan for inspections. High-risk workplaces will be top priority. This year, as in years past, OSHA is directing enforcement resources to workplaces where the highest rates of injuries and illnesses occur.  The site-specific targeting (SST) program is one of OSHA’s main programmed inspection plans for high-hazard, non-construction workplaces […]

OSHA Regulatory Agenda for 2013 and Beyond

What’s on OSHA’s agenda this year? Here’s a sneak peak. Annual Survey of Illnesses and Injuries, Electronic Submission—OSHA’s proposed rule will require the roughly 80,000 organizations that respond to the Agency’s annual survey of injuries and illnesses to submit their OSHA 300 Log and Summary data for the survey in electronic format. Backover Injuries and […]