What is OSHA & why should I be concerned now?

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is a Federal Agency that is part of the Department of Labor. It was created by congress in 1970 to help protect workers by setting and enforcing workplace safety and health standards.

Under President Bush, OSHA (The Occupational Safety & Health Administration, a Federal Agency that is part of the Department of Labor) has introduced a 3 prong strategy to ensure worker safety and health. The first of these strategies is strong enforcement, with a 14% increase in the number of violations being issued in the highest penalty category, and a 10% overall increase. Violations in the highest penalty category can be as much as $70,000 but are not less than $5,000. Violations can quickly add up. Simply not having a correct poster can result in a several thousand dollar fine.

 

Top reasons to make sure you are fully compliant with OSHA regulations

 

It’s the right thing to do

Protecting workers’ safety and health is the right thing to do. It saves money and adds value to the organization. When workers stay whole and healthy, businesses experience lower workers’ compensation insurance costs, reduced medical expenditures, decreased payout for return-to-work programs, and lower costs for job accommodations for injured workers. There are also indirect benefits such as increased productivity, lower costs for training replacement workers, and decreased costs for overtime.

 

It’s the law

No one wants to run a professional business and know that they are breaking the law. Yet, by not having a fully compliant practice you may be doing just that.

 

Cost of non-compliance

Penalties for OSHA violations can quickly add up. The lowest classification of violation is an “Other-than-Serious” violation. These violations may carry penalties of up to $7,000.Violating posting requirements can also result in up to a $7,000 penalty! It is easy to see that an OSHA inspection of a non-complaint facility may result in tens of thousands of dollars in fines.

 

Preventing an OSHA inspection

Most OSHA inspections of healthcare facilities are in response to employee complaints. By engaging our firm to inspect your facility and train your employees you are sending a powerful message. Employees will know that you value their safety and well-being, which of course is the truth after all.