Guest post by Steve Wilder
In case your holiday barbecues have been taking your attention away from OSHA matters, the agency announced that minimum fines for violations will increase on August 1 for the first time in 25 years.
Healthcare facilities of all types should take note, as the maximum fines will increase by 78%!
For a serious violation, the maximum fine will go up more than $5,000 from the current $7,000 fine. A serious violation will now cost you $12,471 per incidence. If you fail to fix it, your fine gets increased by $12,471 per day past the abatement date.
For willful or repeated violations, maximum fines will go up more than $50,000. Currently, a willful violation will run you $70,000, and after August 1, it will go up to $124,709 per violation.
State OSHA plans will be required to adopt a fine schedule at least as effective as the federal OSHA.
There is no better time than right now to make sure your safety management program is OSHA compliant. The cost of non-compliance is about to become a company killer!
Stay safe and stay in touch!
[Publisher’s note: Steve Wilder is one of our featured specialists on safety, violent patients, and OSHA related issues. You can reach him at swilder@swa4safety.com.]