Tag Archives: OSHA

OSHA Injury Tracking Application Enforcement Delayed to December 15, 2017

By on December 8, 2017

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently extended, for the second time, the enforcement deadline for compliance with electronic reporting of injury and illness data through its Injury Tracking Application (ITA) until December 15, 2017.

The new rule took effect January 1, 2017, and required certain employers to submit injury and illness information electronically through the new tracking application.  The information required to be submitted to OSHA remains largely unchanged from the information already required to be kept under current regulations.  In other words, the primary difference is that it must be submitted through the ITA rather than through traditional methods.

In late November, the deadline was pushed back again to December 15, 2017.  Despite the second delay in enforcement it appears that the rule will eventually begin enforcement, even amid speculation that the rule might be scuttled entirely.  For the time being, construction employers should be prepared to submit their 300A and related forms electronically for years 2016 and forward electronically by December 15, 2017 to insure compliance with the new rule and avoid exposure to citations.

Contractors Beware: OSHA Begins Enforcement of New Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard

By on October 30, 2017

On October 19, 2017, OSHA released interim enforcement guidance for its Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard. This standard began full enforcement on October 23, 2017.

The Interim Enforcement Guidance issued refers to the standard promulgated on September 23, 2017.  Initially, rather than issue citations for violations of the standard, OSHA’s compliance officers were instructed to assist employers making good faith efforts to comply with the new standard for the first 30 days of its enforcement.  With the new Guidance issued on October 19, full enforcement of the new standard was rolled out on October 23.  Accordingly, employers in the construction industry, and particularly those where substantial silica exposures may be encountered, should be cognizant that full enforcement of the standard will now be enforced by compliance officers.    

The Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard established a new exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica at 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air as a weighted average during a worker’s an eight hour shift.  This new permissible exposure limit is five times lower than the prior limit for respirable crystalline silica. 

Because prolonged and intense exposure to crystalline silica is known to cause cancer, and crystalline silica is byproduct of many construction activities and materials, such as concrete, rock, mortar and sand, OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard is intended to limit such exposures.  Many safety measures can be installed and protective equipment can and should be used to avoid intense or prolonged exposures to crystalline silica. Contractors frequently involved in operations where such exposure is likely should be careful to provide all necessary safety measures, safety equipment and personal protective equipment necessary to comply with the new standard.

If you have questions regarding OSHA’s new guidance, your compliance with other OSHA safety standards, or in connection with your rights after a citation has been issued, you are well-advised to consult with counsel familiar with OSHA matters.

Contractors Beware:  OSHA Penalties Set to Increase on August 1, 2016

By on July 27, 2016

On August 1, 2016, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OSHA”), will raise the limits of its maximum penalties for the first time in nearly twenty-six years.

Current maximum penalties for “serious,” “other than serious” and “posting requirement” penalties will increase from $7,000.00 per violation to $12,471.00 per violation.  Penalties for failure to abate hazards or violations will increase from $7,000.00 to $12,471.00 per day for each failure to abate the condition subsequent to the abatement date.  Finally, the maximum penalties for “willful” or “repeat” violations will increase from $70,000.00 to $124,709.00 per violation. 

All contractors, and especially those with a history of violations or alleged violations with OSHA, would be wise to insure that all personal protective equipment, tools and equipment are OSHA compliant in advance of the changes in maximum penalties.  If your firm hasn’t recently revisited its safety procedures, practices and documentation, now is the time to review your firm’s safety program in order to avoid exposure to increased maximum penalties for OSHA violations set to take effect. 

For contractors in states that operate their own, state run, “mini-OSHAs,” OSHA has required that those agencies adopt maximum penalties that meet or exceed those imposed by OSHA.  Accordingly, contractors operating in states with “mini-OSHA” agencies should be mindful to consider whether they’re subject to penalties for any violation that may exceed the penalty that OSHA might impose for any similar violation.  

Of course, the best way to avoid an increased OSHA penalty for a violation is to refrain from committing any violation.  As a practical matter, violations frequently occur despite your firm’s best efforts and dedication to providing a safe and compliant work environment.  If OSHA requests to inspect your work site or office, you’d be well-advised to immediately contact an attorney experienced in OSHA practice to help guide your firm through the process and to achieve best results.