OSHA Compliance

Can You Name the Government Agency That Charged U.S. Businesses $155,450,362 in Fiscal Year 2006?

Hint: It’s not the IRS!

If you answered the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)- chances are that was no guess. One way or another you’ve dealt - or will deal - with them directly or indirectly.

OSHA regulations touch every business that operates in all fifty states and there are another twenty six states that conduct workplace inspections of their OSHA approved Safety and Health programs.

According to the OSHA web site in Fiscal Year 2006*:

  • OSHA direct fines totaled $84,413,006 for the Fiscal Year 2006
  • OSHA approved state programs totaled $71,037,362 for Fiscal Year 2006
Classification of Violations and Fines

OSHA - and the state approved programs - classify violations six ways:

  1. Willful - a violation that the employer intentionally and knowingly commits. Willful violations carry a penalty of $5,000 to $70,000 per incident
  2. Serious - a violation where there is substantial probability death or serious harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known of the hazard. Penalties can range up to $7,000 per serious violation.
  3. Repeat - a violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order where, on re-inspection a substantially similar violation is found. Repeated violations can bring penalties of up to $70,000.
  4. Failure to Abate - failure to correct a prior violation may result in civil penalties of $7,000 per day for each day the violation continues beyond the prescribed abatement date.
  5. Other - a violation that has a direct relation to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or physical harm. Penalties may range up to $7,000.
  6. Unclassified - (no we don’t know what that means either)
How to Avoid OSHA Penalties

Partners In Safety keeps your company in compliance with strict government regulations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that certain evaluations be done on a regular basis for employees in a variety of industries. Specific regulations apply to those exposed to noise, lead, asbestos and other chemicals. Audiograms will be performed by a certified hearing conservation technician.

Partners In Safety provides the following OSHA programs:

  • Hearing Conservation Programs (29 CFR1910.95)
  • Respirator Clearance (29 CFR1910.134)
  • Physical Exams and Blood Testing
  • Blood Borne Standard training & Education (29 CFR1910.1030)
  • Hazardous Material (HAZMAT physicals)
  • Response Team Exam (29 CFR1910.120)
  • Lead Material Surveillance (29 CFR1910.1025)
Partners In Safety helps business owners comply with OSHA regulations to reduce and eliminate costly fines and penalties

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* the most recent numbers available at time of publication