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

Safety budgets piggy bank

OSHA Budget Requests More Funding for Enforcement

OSHA has requested $212.7 million in funding for enforcement in fiscal year (FY) 2019, representing an increase of $6.1 million, or just under 3 percent, over the FY 2018 levels. However, the total requested budget for FY 2019 is identical to the 2018 level, meaning that the agency shifted requested money away from other areas […]

California flag

Worker Deaths: Federal Preemption Rejected by California Court

In a case against a company the Orange County district attorney said was responsible for the deaths of two employees, the Supreme Court of California found that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) does not preempt workplace safety standards established by the state’s own occupational safety and health agency (Cal/OSHA).

An Environmental Enforcement Roundup

Take a look at 11 recent environmental enforcement actions from around the U.S. and what was behind the various violations. Some of the penalties were steep—learn from other organizations’ mistakes to ensure your company isn’t the next one cited!

Asbestos Removal

Cutting Corners with Asbestos Removal Leads to Huge Fines

State regulators say a Seattle hotel owner who knew his building contained asbestos cut corners to save money by using untrained workers to remove it. As a result, the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), which runs the Washington state OSHA program, cited the business for multiple egregious safety and health violations and issued $355,000 […]

OIG Pushes EPA to Perform More Programmatic Cross-Checks

But EPA says approach pays few dividends for RMP For several years, EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has been trying to persuade several Agency programmatic offices to conduct cross-checks wherein facility information collected by one program can indicate if the facility is potentially not complying with requirements in another program. Generally, the OIG believes […]

Fatality Leads to Citations, Fines for Foundation Builder

OSHA has cited and fined a Massachusetts foundation company for failing to protect employees against crushing hazards installing permanent foundation supports beneath a public library. The company faces more than $212,000 in proposed penalties.

An Increase in EPA Penalties

As is the case each January, the EPA has finalized regulations adjusting its civil penalties to account for inflation. Therefore, effective January 15, 2018, the maximum civil penalties that the EPA may impose for violations of various environmental statutes have increased by 2 percent.