OSHA Penalties
The construction industry involves different types of hazards that are fatal to the employees working on construction sites. As such, the government, through the department of labor has created regulations that are part of general OSHA standards. The OSHA standards in the construction industry ensure that employees are safe while at work. The standards put an obligation on employers to ensure that work environments are safe for the employees. The presence of government inspectors ensures that employers create the required standards.
In 2003, the most frequently cited OSHA standard in the construction industry was 1926.501 (b). This standard states that employees working on either vertical or horizontal surfaces that are more that six fee should be protected from falling using safety nets, guardrail systems or arrest systems (United States Department of Labor). Since almost all construction projects use unprotected edges and sides, this standard has become crucial. The high number of citations indicates that without proper regulation and penalties, this standard is likely to be abused massively.
Among all the standards assessed during the year 2003 in the construction industry, the general requirements for scaffolding attracted the largest total penalty. The general requirements for scaffoldings had 9,476 violations that resulted in penalties amounting to $9,130,285. The high number of violations and the hefty penalties signify the need for tighter enforcement of the standard. In addition, the number of violations during the year 2003 was crucial to the policy makers in the department of labor because it indicated areas that were prone to future accidents. As a result of this trend, the department was in a position to proactively prevent accidents in the construction industry through proper enforcement of the regulations.
Work Cited
United States Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2003. Web. 27 Jan 2014.
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