OSHA Not Soft on Serious Violators, Repeat Offenders

Lynn Schenkman

Washington, D.C. – Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao unveiled an enhanced enforcement policy March 11 that will address employers who have received "high gravity" citations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s enforced policy will highlight the following five areas: follow-up inspections; programmed inspections; public awareness; settlements; and federal court enforcement. Repeat offenders, those issued failure-to-abate notices, and employers charged with serious or willful violation associated with a fatality will be the primary targets of the enforced policy.