Industry savvy individuals know OSHA has increased enforcement to levels never seen before, resulting in huge increases in the numbers of inspections and citations characterized as "willful" or "repeat" to more criminal referrals. OSHA also has rolled out recently a series of enforcement initiatives and programs that have created a minefield for employers across all industries, and which have disproportionately impacted small and mid-sized employers. For example, OSHA's new Severe Violator Enforcement Program is ten times more likely to ensnare small and mid-sized employers simply because these organizations either didn't know the rules/common items being inspected and thus couldn't react or fix them prior to being inspected. Similarly, OSHA's policies of driving up minimum penalties have significantly harmed small employers. Don’t lull yourself, as an employer, into thinking all is fine on the safety side simply because you have not been inspected by OSHA yet. One serious accident or injury can provide an unwelcomed visit from OSHA.
For more information about risk management, safety regulations, OSHA policies, and preparing yourself for unexpected OSHA visits, contact the Goosmann Law Firm at info@goosmannlaw.com or call 712-226-4000.