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

Oregon and COVID-19, Oregon OSHA

Oregon OSHA Continues to Enforce State’s COVID-19 ETS

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer & Business Services, continues to enforce the state’s COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS). The agency recently cited a bar, a restaurant, and two home improvement stores for exposing employees to risk of infection.

OSHA safety concept

Recent OSHA Citations: Our Latest Roundup

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the nature of work in many industries and brought renewed attention to the importance of workplace safety, but OSHA continues to carry out inspections and issue citations to employers that expose workers to hazardous conditions. We’ve summarized some of the key enforcement cases from the past few months for a […]

Balancing environmental enforcement and business

A Look at EPA Violations and Enforcement in First Quarter 2021

In the first quarter (Q1), the EPA finalized 290 settlement agreements with companies small and large across the United States. This represents a significant increase in enforcement actions—up from 150 penalties issued in Q4 for 2020. The actions taken resulted in $6,126,092 in fines. Here are some of the highlights of violations and penalties.

Safety inspection at auto facility, OSHA cited

Auto Body Maker Cited by OSHA Faces Over $390K in Fines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited a Waterville, Maine, auto body manufacturer for 2 willful and 10 serious safety and health violations. The agency is seeking $393,992 in fines from The Shyft Group Duramag LLC, formerly known as F3 MFG Inc.

COVID-19 safety inspection

OSHA’s New NEP Focuses on COVID-19 Enforcement

On March 12, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP), focusing enforcement on companies at which large numbers of workers face serious risk of COVID-19 infections. The NEP also prioritizes whistleblower protection enforcement for workers who face retaliation for reporting unsafe or unhealthy workplace conditions.

OSHA regs and enforcement concept

BREAKING: OSHA Launches NEP to Protect High-Risk Workers from Coronavirus

On March 12, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to protect workers at high risk of contracting the coronavirus. The NEP was launched in response to a January 21, 2021, Executive Order from President Joe Biden.