Past OSHA Citations

Some of these tools are discussed in detail in the sections that follow. Some of them are discussed in much greater detail in Chapters 10 through 13. 

Many companies view the whole experience of an OSHA inspection as an almost traumatic experience. 1 believe that during an OSHA inspec- 

This view is shortsighted. Although OSHA fines and citations sometimes start out as small potatoes to many firms, if the situation is left unchecked and the culture continues to lack adequate development, some undesirable results can be forthcoming. Like the iceberg, the OSHA citation may have a hidden section that should be taken into consideration. If your company has received an OSHA citation, this should serve as a warning that your safety culture is in need of development. 

Keep in mind that fines can grow by orders of magnitude if the situation gets covered up or does not get adequately resolved. When OSHA returns, even if it is years later, your company takes the chance that the next citation will be much more serious and costly. I will not go into details in this area except to say that willful, repeat, or serious is terminology that should be avoided at all costs. OSHA citations in general should be avoided at all costs. OSHA inspections should be taken with the utmost seriousness. 

Besides fines growing as violations continue to be cited, OSHA will also publish those fines on their website. Any company s history of OSHA violations becomes a matter of public record. All one needs to have is a little knowledge of how to get around on the Internet, and this information is readily available. It is also readily available to your competitors. I would not be surprised if your competitors use this information in an attempt to discredit your company. K your competitors are successful in showing that your firm does not perform work safely, then this may provide them with the competitive edge to take work that your company may have been awarded. After all, no one wants an unsafe contractor working for them. The liability just is not worth it. Even without your competitors bringing the issue to your client s attention, OSHA citations are just plain bad publicity. Your clients might reduce the amount of work that you are awarded or choose not to deal with you at all. 

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The company that owned and operated the crane was issued three repeat citations for operating the crane in high winds, inadequate support for the crane s outriggers, and not inspecting the jobsite to identify and correct these and other hazards. OSHA had cited the company in the past for similar hazards. The company was also issued six serious citations for ... 

Jamie Smith is discouraged by the recordkeeping requirements of the company. She keeps forms for OSHA and an additional form for workers compensation requirements. When a compliance officer arrives for a routine inspection, she is surprised to learn that she does not have to keep all the forms. She is also surprised to learn a form must be posted during the months of February through April. She has not posted the form in the past, but now assumes she should after the comment made by the compliance officer. The biggest surprise arrives three months later when the company receives a citation because the appropriate company official did not sign the form. 

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