The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) outlines various labor standards that companies have to follow. It’s been in place since 1970, and the agency’s goal is to reduce the chance of death or injury while on the job.
Not only does OSHA create and enforce standards on its own, but it also works to keep companies and professionals educated about safety standards. Plus, it makes changes as necessary to ensure worker safety, releasing both regular policy updates, and issuing emergency guidelines as required.
Companies need to remain OSHA compliant. Otherwise, the penalties can be severe. As a result, it’s wise to review any OSHA updates regularly and adjust organizational policies accordingly. If you want to know why, here’s a look at why reexamining OSHA updates frequently is a smart move.
OSHA Compliance Goes Beyond Common Sense
Some companies may assume that they don’t need to worry about OSHA updates because they try to keep their workplace safe. They may believe that their common sense approach will include everything OSHA would list as a must-do, so they should be in the clear.
In reality, OSHA standards go above beyond common sense. For example, many businesses overlook the employee training requirement and recordkeeping standards. Plus, some companies don’t realize that they need either a safety manager on staff or direct access to a partner who provides compliance assistance.
If a company relies solely on “common sense” measures, they are liking overlooking something critical. As a result, they are putting their business and employees at risk.
The OSHA Rules Can Change Fast
OSHA safety requirements can change with surprising frequency. When a new hazard enters a workplace, such as an emerging mechanical technology, companies might not be aware of the nuanced rules surrounding it. Additionally, if OSHA identifies that an existing workplace technology presents a threat that wasn’t previously covered in their requirements, they could create new regulations to address it.
Along with regular updates, OSHA can create emergency rules that take immediate effect. Usually, this happens when a serious hazard is identified, and quick action is needed to ensure worker safety. If you don’t keep an eye on OSHA updates, you might not be aware that the requirements have changed.
The Penalty for Non-Compliance is Steep
When a company is found to be non-compliant, OSHA can levy penalties. Usually, the cost is financial and takes the form of a fine.
As of 2019, OSHA’s maximum penalty for a single serious violation was $13,260. Similarly, a failure to abate penalty came in at $13,260 per day after the abatement date. Willful and repeat violators could also get hit with a substantial penalty. The maximum cost for that came in at $132,598 per violation. All of the costs above also don’t include what might be levied at the state-level or if there is an associated lawsuit, such as from an employee who ended up injured.
Are you building out your workforce?
Ultimately, remaining OSHA compliant is a must. As a result, spending some time reviewing any updates is simply smart business. If you’d like to learn more, the professionals at TRC Staffing Services can help. Contact us to speak with a member of our team today and see how our OSHA compliance knowledge can benefit you.
