Get Ready for Bigger Penalties: OSHA's Proposed Rule for Personal Protective Equipment and Personnel Training Citations

摘要

On August 19, 2008, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA" or "Administration") published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that could significantly increase penalties for noncompliance with certain regulations. The proposed rule would allow OSHA to fine an employer each time he or she fails to provide personal protective equipment ("PPE") or training to an employee, as required by the regulations. To read the proposed rule in its entirety, see http://edocket. access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-189911.htm. Currently, OSHA is permitted to impose such per-employee fines under certain PPE and training regulations. For other PPE and training regulations, however, OSHA is only permitted to fine an employer once for failing to provide the requisite equipment or training, regardless of how many employees are affected by this failure.