The OSHA Penalty System: A Comprehensive Guide to Fines and Citations

What is OSHA: 

OSHA is also known as Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It is a federal agency and was created back in 1970. It ensures safety and health of employees working in a company by providing them required OSHA training and education. OSHA promotes business and individuals to have a safe working environment by getting enrolled in training like OSHA 30 Hour Construction and other industries.

Introduction:

OSHA is a part of the US labour. It is responsible for the enforcement of health and safety orders in a workplace. One of the most common tools that are used by OSHA is the penalty system, which includes fines and citations. Understanding the penalty system is important for the employees and the employers so that injuries and major accidents can be prevented in a workplace.

Now let’s take a deeper look to have a clear understanding of what OSHA penalty system is.

What is the OSHA Penalty system?

OSHA penalty is basically a sequence of Fines and Citations that are issued to the employer who is unable to regulate safety and health orders in a workplace. OSHA has made this penalty system so that employers are more concerned regarding safe working conditions and it will discourage them from cutting corners which could put their labours life at risk. 

Main framework of the OSHA Penalty system was established in 1970 and it evolved over time.

What are the types of OSHA penalties:

1. Willful violation is one of the most grave penalties issued when an employer willingly violates an OSHA grade or is intentionally lenient towards employee health and safety.

The current penalty for willful violation is $136,532 per violation.

 

1. Serious violation penalty is issued when death or a severe physical harm could have resulted from a hazard about which the employer should have known.

The current penalty for Serious Violation is $13,653 per violation.

1. Other than serious Violation is issued when violation is related to job safety and health, but doesn’t result in death or physical harm. 

The current penalty for other than serious violation is $13,653

1. Repeat violation penalty is issued when an employer had previously done the same violation or similar to it of an OSHA grade within the past 5 years.

The current penalty for repeat violation is $136,532 per violation

1. Failure to Abate is issued when an employer is unable to right previously cited violation within a specific period of time.

The current penalty for failure to abate violation is $13,653 per day.

These penalties are usually adjusted based on the company sizes

Violations that can lead to OSHA penalties:

Penalties can be imposed by OSHA for several types of violations connected to health and workplace safety. Now let’s jump into further detail and learn the most common types of violations:

1. If the company is unable to install and maintain electrical systems properly, the failure then can lead to OSHA Penalties.

2. If a company is unable to provide the employees pulmonal protection and OSHA 30 and 10 training it then can lead to penalties imposed by OSHA.

3. If a company is unable to keep the record of ill or injured employees or fails to report a serious injury it will lead to penalties from OSHA 

4. If a company is unable to guard machinery properly this can lead to OSHA Penalties.

5. If a company is unable to provide equipment for the safety of the face and eyes of the employees it’ll then result in penalties from OSHA.

6. If a company is unable to provide fall protection equipment to the employees it will then result in Penalties by OSHA.

7. If a company is unable to give proper guidelines to employees related to harmful chemicals or other hazardous materials it will then lead to OSHA penalties.

8. If a company is unable to accurately evaluate and manage risks linked to confined spaces will end up getting an osha penalty.

How can OSHA penalties be avoided?

To avoid OSHA penalties employers should respect workplace health and safety regulations. Let’s have a closer look at the tips to avoid OSHA penalties.

1. Employers should be aware of OSHA laws that are applicable in their industry. With the help of this they can identify hazards and take measures for it.

2. Employers should provide workplace OSHA 30 Hour training to the employees that includes safety identification of workplace hazards.

3. A OSHA 10 hour training should be provided to the employers.

4. Employers should inspect their workplace on a frequent basis to pinpoint potential hazards and perfect them before they become a problem.

5. Employers should train employees on workplace safety so they can keep themselves protected.

6. If a citation is received from OSHA to the employer, they should quickly respond to it by correcting the violation.

Conclusion:

Every employee wants a safe and healthy working environment and why not? It’s their right to feel safe and protected while they’re at the workplace. Lack of training of employees can lead to carelessness of employees and can result in a major accident or a severe injury. Safety measures should be taken to avoid injuries and accidents.

Employers should make sure that employees are well trained and are aware of OSHA grades so that they can follow the instructions and can avoid injuries. Proper OSHA 30 and 10 training should be provided to all the employees while using equipment and safety procedures. These procedures will help your company with cost delays and will avoid seeing such treacherous situations.