Fines/Penalties

Washington – While expressing concern about OSHA’s enforcement philosophy during a Feb. 11 hearing with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) offered an anecdote about his family.

Safety+Health presents OSHA’s most frequently cited violations for fiscal year 2015. Also: the annual “penalty box” detailing the year’s largest fines, and an exclusive interview with an official from OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement on the agency’s new reporting requirement and what a new weighted inspection system means for employers.

Washington – OSHA fines will increase for the first time in a quarter century, under a provision in the recently signed congressional budget deal.

Washington – A recent study linking inspection-related citations and penalties to increased workplace safety and fewer injuries “confirms what we have been saying for a long time,” OSHA administrator David Michaels said in the Nov. 2 edition of “OSHA QuickTakes” newsletter.

Lansing, MI – Michigan OSHA is set to launch a new informal settlement process in November.

Washington – OSHA’s rulemaking process, interpretive guidance and policy memos may be evaluated this year by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

Washington – A new webpage from OSHA highlights recent fines levied against employers for safety and health violations.

Despite the downward trend in workplace fatalities, safety advocates are calling for stepped-up efforts to protect workers.

Washington – Five years after the tragedy at Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia killed 29 workers, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has made strides to prevent similar incidents but still needs more tools, MSHA chief Joseph A. Main said during an April 23 hearing.

Washington – Members of the House are pushing the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Labor to complete a review of guidance and a proposed rule that would implement the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order.