OSHA regulations are meant to keep employees safe, but we've heard from some of you that they can be a real pain. Some commenters have said they are "an attempt to replace intelligence and common sense with generic, one-size-fits-all rules." Others think Safety Programs, in general, are just an excuse to blame employees for injuries while protecting employers. While others think that the regulations are effective in keeping people safe.
Tell us what you REALLY think about OSHA.
Regardless of what you think, here’s two examples of what’s actually happened when companies fails at OSHA compliance:
--A metal heat treatment company based in Bowling Green, Ohio faces $1,326,367 in penalties for exposing its employees to atmospheric, thermal, electrical, and mechanical hazards as they performed maintenance inside heat-treating furnaces. That’s a pricey violation if you ask me.
--A Beloit, Wisconsin pallet manufacturer faces $188,302 in penalties for safety and health violations. OSHA cited Avid Pallet Services LLC after a follow-up inspection found employees continued to be exposed to wood dust.
Source: https://www.ishn.com/articles/110493-two-companies-earn-massive-fines-for-osha-violations
Do you think fines like these are successful in motivating compliance?
OSHA as a regulatory body is necessary in American manufacturing. Although I do believe over the years the rules have went to a more generalized approach, they still keep workers safe.
Compliance assistance and education reinforces awareness of hazards which can lead to prevention of injuries. OSHA regulations establish the framework needed by most employers to seek cost effective methods to keep their employees safe.
OSHA standards must be known to employees. These include proper training and awareness of labor rights. There must be machine guards so that potential injuries for workers and bystanders can be prevented. Some examples of these guards are gates that prevent access or restraint components that halt equipment usage.
OSHA regulations apply to private employers and their employees in the United States. There are cases of exemption to OSHA regulations, such as one concerning the US Army.