The Federal Government has decided that the current fine structure for private businesses no longer carries the weight it once did. Having kept the same fine structure since 1990, the US Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez states, "Adjusting our penalties to keep pace with the cost of living can lead to significant benefits for workers and can level the playing field for responsible employers who should not have to compete with those who don't follow the law."
OSHA uses their often heavy-handed fines as a deterrent to employers who would not seek to follow a robust safety program. At SSG we want to help employers both build their safety culture but also to keep them compliant so OSHA can't hand out these heavy handed-penalties. The reality is, the far majority of companies we work with already felt the weight of the expiring fine structure. This massive, 78% spike that takes effect August 1, 2016 may not account for the cost of living increase since 1990, but it also doesn't seem to consider the cost of doing business in most industries has gone up due to increased health insurance, workers comp premiums, and many other factors. Hence, SSG realizes this significant raise in OSHA fine "opportunities" will be felt each time one is issued. Our determination to keep your business compliant is a consistent motivator for each of the consultants you work with.
-Jake Woolfenden