Double whammy when it comes to OSHA fines

Watch Out! OSHA penalties are about to go up, even without Congressional approval.  OSHA head David Michaels testified before Congress that the agency will implement internal changes in its penalty policies.

That bit of news came during Michaels' comments on the parts of the bill that would significantly increase OSHA fines and the use of criminal penalties, including prison time for company executive and managers.

Inadequate deterrents

Michaels wasn't forthcoming on what those administrative changes to OSHA penalty policies will be.
But you can bet the agency will act quickly to make whatever changes it can without Congressional approval.
That’s because Michaels considers current safety fines to be inadequate deterrents to employers who would rather pay the minimal OSHA fines and continue to gloss over safety.
Among the provisions in the Protecting America' Workers Act (PAWA) that Michaels endorsed during his testimony:

• Increase the maximum penalty for knowingly violating a rule that results in the death of an employee to 10 years in prison 
  
• Increase penalties for willful repeat violations that involve a fatality to as much as $250,000, and 
  
• Create automatic increases in fine amounts by tying them to inflation.
  

Info: You can read Michaels' entire testimony at osha.gov.rwi.bzlp

Reprinted with permission from
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