Lawmakers withdraw proposal for increased OSHA fines
- Senate Democrats are no longer pursuing a huge increase to OSHA’s penalties for safety violations.
- The maximum fine OSHA can assess against an employer per alleged repeat, willful, or failure-to-abate violations is $145,027.
- The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would have dramatically raised the maximum penalty to $700,000 per alleged violation last year.
- However, a recent spending bill still being debated by the U.S. Senate did not include OSHA penalties.
Companies can move beyond OSHA compliance
- There are ways for companies to go beyond OSHA compliance and ensure workplace safety
- Firms should have better communication between management and employees to respond in real-time to new issues and incidents.
- Companies can customize inspection checklists that ensure worksites stay safe for both employees and military personnel
- An automated reporting and trend analysis can be set up that proactively identifies and communicates corrective actions.
Proposal for more protection for frontline workers
- OSHA released an emergency temporary standard that includes new requirements for hospitals, nursing homes and home health care providers.
- Part of the proposal includes providing vital personal protective equipment like N95 masks.
- Nurse unions have been pressing the federal government for a standard for more than a year as front-line workers have faced issues getting adequate PPE.
- The standard applies to any workers who are in healthcare settings that treat suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases.
LiveNation has history of injuries and fines
- Live Nation, the world’s largest live-event promoter, has also been fined for breaking OSHA rules.
- At least 750 people have been injured and 200 people have died at Live Nation events, according to a report.
- Live Nation and its subsidiary, Live Nation Worldwide have paid out millions since 2006 as the result of similar disasters.
- Eight people were recently killed at a Houston event when th crowd began to surge toward the stage.