OSHA INSPECTIONS
BY: CHANDRA CHANEY,
BOWEN MICLETTE & BRITT
How To
Survive An
T
OSHA Inspection
here have been recent
increases in OSHA’s penalty
structure, where a serious
violation penalty may now cost
almost $13,000 and a willful
violation almost $125,000. In addition
to the increase in fines, the Department
of Justice and OSHA are collaborating
to increase criminal prosecution of
workplace violations as well. This increase
in penalties and the possibility of prison
time has many executives and managers
concerned about OSHA knocking on their
door.
JUST THE FACTS
There were 32,396 OSHA (federal)
inspections in 2017. This number does
not include the almost 75,000 state OSHA
inspections.
The following were the top ten most
frequently cited standards by OSHA
(federal) in fiscal year 2017 (October 1,
2016, through September 30, 2017):
6
1. Fall protection, construction (29 CFR
1926.501)
2. Industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
3. Scaffolding, general requirements,
construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
4. Respiratory protection, general
industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
5. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/
tagout), general industry (29 CFR
1910.147)
6. Ladders, construction (29 CFR
1926.1053)
7. Powered industrial trucks, general
industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
8. Machinery and Machine Guarding,
general requirements (29 CFR
1910.212)
9. Fall Protection–Training Requirements
(29 CFR 1926.503)
10. Electrical, wiring methods,
components and equipment, general
industry (29 CFR 1910.305)
6 REASONS WHY
It is important to know why an inspection
may happen. Here are the reasons in order
of importance:
1. Imminent Danger
This occurs when OSHA receives a
report where death or serious harm
is threatening and it is reasonably
likely that a serious accident could
occur immediately or before
abatement can be implemented.
This is referred to as IDLH
(Immediately Dangerous to Life
and Health).
2. Fatality/Serious Accident
Fatalities must be reported to
OSHA within eight hours. All
inpatient hospitalizations,
amputations, or eye loss must be
reported within twenty-four hours.
Any of these will prompt a visit.
3. Complaint
OSHA takes employee complaints