OSHA is stepping up its use of Corporate-Wide Settlement Agreements in an effort to make more efficient use of its compliance resources, but companies should think carefully before signing off on such an agreement. Under a CSA, companies that have …
OSHA has won another round in its bid to expand its enforcement power, underscoring the need for employers and insurance companies to be careful not to dig a hole for themselves when they conduct safety audits and accident investigations. A …
OSHA sometimes undertakes educational initiatives, such as one issued last month about the hazards of working outdoors in the heat. But employers would be unwise to ignore the suggestions as “optional” for two important reasons. The first, of course, is …
Texting while driving has been hard to stamp out, and now employers must be careful that they are not doing anything to encourage the practice, lest they be cited by OSHA. OSHA has issued a warning to employers that they …
The proper use of OSHA’s general duty is frequently misunderstood, sometimes even by OSHA itself. Here’s what you need to know.
Fall protection is a vital part of construction safety programs, but as is well-known, a lot of times workers don’t use the equipment or don’t use it properly. Workers’ excuses range from complaints that the equipment slows them down, makes …
While OSHA readies itself for a fight over its Fiscal 2012 budget, another big battle is looming over a proposal that OSHA administrator David Michaels views as the centerpiece of his campaign to exert more enforcement pressure on industry. That …
If you want an example of what a company can do to turn in a great safety performance, you need look no further than National Steel City, a construction company specializing in steel and power industry equipment installation. National Steel …
With the President trying to accommodate business on the issue of excessive regulation, OSHA seems to be trying to walk a tightrope in its budget request for 2012. The agency is asking for 25 additional compliance officers. That is in …
As OSHA pushes forward with tougher enforcement, the critical role played by the legal office of the Department of Labor is not always fully appreciated. The office of the Solicitor of Labor is not a part of OSHA, but handles …