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

Roofer, roofing

Pennsylvania Roofing Contractor Handed Six-Figure OSHA Fine

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited a Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania-based roofing contractor with eight willful, three serious, and two repeat safety violations for exposing employees to fall hazards at three separate worksites in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, area. OSHA is seeking $605,371 in penalties from Webb Contractor Corp.

Roofing fall protection

Over $1 Million in Fall Hazard Penalties Sought by OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited a Jacksonville, Florida, roofing contractor for fall hazards at three construction sites and is seeking $1,007,717 in penalties. OSHA cited Florida Roofing Experts, Inc., owned by Travis Slaughter, under its egregious citation policy with eight willful violations of the fall protection standard.

OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration

BREAKING: OSHA Raises Its Civil Penalties for 2020 by Nearly 2%

On January 15, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) raised its civil penalties (85 Fed. Reg. 2,292) by approximately 1.8%. The final rule implements annual inflation adjustments of civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by OSHA and other agencies within the Department of Labor (DOL) in 2020, as required by the Inflation Adjustment Act […]

OSHA safety concept

10 OSHA Myths That Still Impact Attitudes Toward Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces safety standards for the workplace. It’s a simple job description but a huge undertaking. And given that negative attitudes toward the agency are pervasive among U.S. employers and workers, OSHA’s authority has taken on an almost mythical quality, and many misconceptions about the agency’s powers […]

Safety inspection, OSHA inspector

OSHA Enforcement Roundup Includes Fall Hazards, Silica

OSHA inspections were up in 2019, and the trend of aggressive enforcement shows no sign of abatement any time soon. Take a look at some of the more significant enforcement cases from the past several months for a snapshot of OSHA’s recent inspection priorities. From fall hazards to silica and beyond, these cases illustrate the […]

Balancing environmental enforcement and business

Our First EPA Enforcement Roundup of 2020

In the fourth quarter (Q4), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized 71 settlement agreements with companies small and large across the United States. This represents a significant decrease in enforcement actions, down from 158 penalties issued in Q3 and 106 in Q2. However, the actions taken resulted in almost $2.5 million in fines. In […]

Amputation

OSHA Revises National Emphasis Program for Amputations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for enforcement related to amputations in manufacturing, the agency announced December 17. The NEP targets employers for enforcement of machine guarding standards to reduce or eliminate amputation hazards.