Rep. Hartzler: Let employers abate OSHA violations before getting fined

Washington – Employers would have an opportunity to abate certain OSHA violations before being subject to a fine, under legislation introduced April 22 by Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO).

The bill (H.R. 1932) would offer employers a grace period to comply with OSHA regulations when infractions are discovered. However, the proposed grace period would not apply to repeat or willful violations.

In a press release, Hartzler said the legislation is intended to protect small employers from facing an “immediate fine” for “minor, trivial rules.”

“These enterprising individuals don’t need to be hampered, they need to be unleashed,” she said. “This legislation is designed to promote an environment where businesses constantly improve worker safety while being able to use their resources to continue [to] boost the economy and create jobs.”