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

EO Under Fire—the IRIS Dilemma

It looks to be a bumpy road ahead for any industry, primarily the synthetic chemical manufacturing industry (SOCMI), including petrochemical plants, dealing with ethylene oxide (EO). At the heart of the controversy is the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) value for EO emissions. The controversial IRIS “IRIS is a research program that assesses chemical toxicity […]

Roofer, roofing

Florida Roofer Facing Imprisonment in Ongoing OSHA Case

A Jacksonville, Florida, roofing contractor faces incarceration for his failure to comply with court orders related to a series of safety violations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced. Travis Slaughter, the owner of Great White Construction Inc. and Florida Roofing Experts, has failed to pay $2,202,049 in penalties assessed by OSHA for […]

Potential Changes to Chemical Plant Emissions Regulations

The EPA filed a proposed consent decree agreeing to review and potentially revise regulations governing emissions standards for the synthetic chemical manufacturing industry (SOCMI), which includes petrochemical plants. The consent decree was published in response to a lawsuit (Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS), et al. v. Regan, No. 1:20-cv-03733-RJL) filed by environmental groups in […]

EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Post Updates to WOTUS

The EPA and the Department of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) posted proposed updates to the definition of waters of the United States (WOTUS) in the Federal Register on December 7, 2021. The proposed rule would define WOTUS as: Traditional navigable waters, interstate waters, and the territorial seas and their adjacent wetlands; Most impoundments […]

Amputations Net Six-Figure OSHA Fines

Two employers in Alabama and Arkansas are facing six-figure Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties following workers’ amputation injuries. OSHA cited iSpice LLC of Jackson, Alabama, with two repeat, serious and six serious safety and health violations and proposed penalties totaling $146,751. The agency cited Maxwell Hardwood Flooring Inc. of Monticello, Arkansas, with one […]

Best of ’21: Back to Basics

As the year winds down, we’re taking a look this week at some highlights from 2021. Today, we’re highlighting excerpts from some of our favorites from our Back to Basics feature, which made its debut in late July. August 9: Common Hazards, Frequent Citations Don’t let all the new, exotic workplace hazards distract you from […]

What Is an Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Audit?

An EHS audit is a key piece of your EHS management system, assessing your compliance with applicable Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards to ensure that your management system performs as intended. How Should You Prepare Your Facility and Staff for an EHS Audit? To prepare your facility […]

Dollar General OSHA Fines Now Exceed $3.3 Million

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced it has proposed more than $3.3 million in penalties in 54 inspections at Dollar General store locations nationwide since 2016. The agency most recently cited a Mobile, Alabama store for three repeat violations and proposed $321,827 in penalties. The store’s operator, Dolgencorp LLC, failed to keep the main […]

Industry Opposition to CARB’s Upcoming SORE Regulations

California Assembly Bill 1346, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 9, 2021, seeks to eliminate the retail sale of new gas-powered, small off-road engines (SORE) as early as January 1, 2024. It now becomes the responsibility of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop and implement a plan to enforce the […]

OSHA Cites St. Croix Refinery

A St. Croix refinery is facing $259,407 in proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties after the agency cited the company for 20 violations of the process safety management (PSM) standard. Releases of oil and vapor into the air and fiery flares at a St. Croix refinery in February and May led to an […]