On August 1, 2016 OSHA fines will increase almost 80%.  According to an article entitled “Top three Ways to Avoid Increased OSHA Fines” on www.ehstoday.com OSHA fines for a serious violation will increase from $7,000 to $12,600 and a fine for willful and repeat violations will go from $70,000 to $126,000! That’s a big increase and may spell disaster for small or medium companies!  The article goes on to suggest three ways to avoid OSHA compliance issues that would result in these increased fees:

• Be Prepared:
  1. Develop a safety plan and make sure all management and workers are well informed and familiar with it.
  2. Do regular inspections as well as mock OSHA interviews so employees are prepared and know their rights.
  3. Use “surprise” OSHA practice inspections to make sure that things are running as they should.
• Empower Employees:
  1. Encourage employees to speak up about safety concerns and hazards, they might see something that management misses.
  2. Designate an on floor employee to do regular safety checks, they are familiar with how the areas run.
  3. Create a way for employees to report safety concerns anonymously so they don’t feel nervous to speak up.
  4. Take a look at the record keeping system your safety manager uses, maybe a mobile device that he can log real-time safety issues on would be a benefit.
• Embrace Technology:
  1. Stay up to date on current regulations using online and mobile resources.
  2. Provide managers with a mobile inspection application that is easy to use. These apps can provide benefits such as daily checklists, access to best practices, fork lift safety, air quality and emergency management.
  3. All of this data can be stored electronically and then is easily accessible if an OSHA inspection does happen.

SLIPNOT products can also help guard against slip and fall OSHA violations.  The metal high grip surface is simply welded or bolted into place and provides years of slip resistant safety.  By utilizing these three suggestions from ehstoday.com and using long lasting high-traction flooring hopefully the increased OSHA fines will never affect you!

Robins, James. “Top Three Ways to Avoid Increased OSHA Fines.” www.ehstoday.com July 20,2016. July 27, 2016.