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OSHA Bill Would Increase Safety Violation Penalties
In conjunction with Workers Memorial Day observations on April 28 to commemorate workers who have been killed on the job and to encourage making workplaces safer, Congress last week held two hearings related to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, one in the House and one in the Senate, and introduced broad OSHA reform.
There are expected to be many more OSHA-related hearings to come.
In an effort to decrease the number of American workers killed or injured on the job each year, U.S. Reps. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) and Phil Hare (D-Ill.) introduced H.R. 2049, the Protecting America’s Workers Act. In the Senate, Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) unveiled an identical bill, S. 1244.
The legislation would expand the scope of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, imposing burdensome penalties and personal protective equipment requirements on the building community.
Specifically, the legislation would:
- Increase employer penalties for repeated and willful violations of the law, including possible felony charges when this leads to a worker’s death
- Make clear that employers must provide the necessary safety equipment to their workers, such as goggles, gloves, respirators or other personal protective equipment
- Protect workers who blow the whistle on unsafe workplace conditions
- Enhance the public's right to know about safety violations
- Apply federal safety standards to workers who are not currently covered, including federal, state and local employees, and some private-sector employees
To read the legislation, click here and enter the bill number in the box at the center of the page.
For more information, e-mail Erin Tario at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8413.
Protect Your Job Site Against OSHA Violations
Delays in construction due to poor safety procedures will cost you money. To protect your job site against OSHA violations go to www.builderbooks.com/Safety to see all the BuilderBooks.com resources you need to create a safety program that protects your workers and your profits.
Bulk prices are available.
To view these safety publications online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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