Safety? It's About Dollars and Sense!
No one welcomes an unexpected visit from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The feeling is more pronounced than ever, given the federal agency’s announcement about increased fines for workplace safety violations. Maximum penalties for “serious” and “other than serious” infractions have increased 7 percent in 2023, to $15,625 per violation.
If a violation is determined to be “willful and repeated?” Brace yourself - fines have increased nearly 8 percent, to more than $156,000 per violation!
Enforcement is on the rise, too. OSHA’s 10 most-cited standards showed an 18 percent jump in violations (to nearly 25,000) between 2021 and 2022.
Are you taking safety seriously at your workplace? You should. OSHA inspectors can stop by at any time … and these visits can become very costly.
Inspectors sometimes respond to tips about potential violations. Or, they’ll observe job sites from afar. Once in the door, they can investigate every element of an operation for compliance with workplace safety rules.
What are they looking for? OSHA released its “Top 10” list of the most frequently-cited worker safety and health standards in late 2022. Does your operation involve any of these?
1. Fall Protection (5,980 violations): Safety barriers and guarding to prevent falls
2. Hazard Communication (2,682 violations): Labeling and warnings related to hazardous chemicals
3. Ladders (2,471 violations): Allowable ladder types and related use procedures
4. Respiratory Protection (2,430 violations): Selection of breathing protection equipment and related use procedures
5. Scaffolding (2,285 violations): Scaffolding design and related safety standards
6. Lockout/Tagout (2,175 violations): Control of hazardous energy in machines and equipment
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1,922 violations): Operation of forklifts and related user training
8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1,778 violations): Training guidelines for workers to prevent falls
9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1,582 violations): Personal protective equipment for workers exposed to eye or face hazards
10. Machine Guarding (1,488 violations): Guarding of machinery to protect workers from hazards such as sparks or rotating parts
Investing in safety is the right thing to do. Good workers are your greatest asset. They deserve protection. Given OSHA’s larger fines and enhanced enforcement, it’s financially prudent, as well.
Milwaukee metal fabricator 3Up Metal Works designs and creates a wide range of safety-related products: railings, guarding, ladders, platforms and more. We know OSHA regulations, too, and follow them closely during the design process. Contact us about upgrading your existing safety infrastructure, or adding additional hazard-reducing elements to your plant.
Investing in safety is about dollars and sense! Given OSHA’s recent trends, you don’t want to become one of its statistics!