News
OSHA fines will nearly double and be allowed to increase with inflation, thanks to a provision included in a congressional budget deal signed last week.
A new study suggests citations and penalties can help reduce workplace injuries, prompting OSHA to tout its enforcement program.
California health care employers will have to adopt a workplace violence prevention program, according to a new regulation proposed by the state’s occupational safety and health standards board.
A recently launched Regional Emphasis Program will focus on poultry industry employers in four southern states.
OSHA’s webpage on hazard communication has been updated to include a new design providing easier access to guidance documents and frequently asked questions.
Notable proposed fines
$393,500 to an Ohio steel plant for fall protection, lockout/tagout and electrical violations stemming from an injury in which a crane’s safety latch failed and 1,000 pounds of equipment fell on a worker
$105,000 to a roofing contractor in North Dakota for fall protection violations found during an inspection prompted by a forklift platform tip-over that seriously injured a worker
$103,600 to a Wisconsin food product manufacturer for lockout/tagout, confined space, electrical and chemical violations
Happening this week
Nov. 9-10 – Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee meetings
Nov. 13 – Deadline to submit requests to speak at Dec. 1-2 Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health meetings
Review Counter
Below is a count of how many days recent OSHA proposals have been under review, as of Nov. 9:
| # of Days | OSHA Proposal |
| 130 | Walking/Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems (final rule) |
| 35 | Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses (final rule) |
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs – part of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget – reviews proposed regulations. The process is required for most rules before they can move forward, and typically takes 90 days.
The opinions expressed in "On Safety" do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.