According to industry attorneys, the biggest fear of work site employers across the country is not fines, it’s being mentioned in a press release. Employers and businesses have reason to fear being named … if a health & safety violation becomes a national news story, then the consequences are likely to be more severe than the fines.

In November, OSHA press releases increased substantially following a hearing where Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta said that the Voluntary Protection Program “has to be balanced by a vigorous enforcement program.” Acosta was adamant that there needs to be aggressive enforcement, especially when an employer repeatedly engages in willful violations.

It wasn’t by coincidence that OSHA released 12 press releases last month after only publishing 20 in the past nine months. This may signal that the administration is fully committed to naming the employers responsible for severe violations.

Health & Safety Violations Heavily Scrutinized in Public Forum

On Nov. 17, OSHA issued a news release that announced a $43,458 fine against a Tampa electric company following a hazard communication violation. The company was cited following an incident where a relief valve was activated after a pipeline became over-pressurized, which caused a large amount of ammonia to be released. The citation focused on the company’s inadequate response plan rather than the release itself. This comes on the heels of a separate citation that occurred as a result of an accident that killed five workers at a power station.

Some incidents still make the news even if they are not reported by OSHA. In fact, some news outlets have begun to publish violations in an effort to hold more employers accountable. One notable source, Confined Space, is run by Jordan Barab, the former deputy assistant secretary of labor at OSHA. Barab’s site keeps a running list of $40,000-plus citations issued by OSHA since the beginning of 2017.

Losing Jobs Because of Bad Press

Negative press can create a stigma around companies that can affect their reputations and ability to get jobs. Most government contracts, from the municipal to federal level, will be out of reach for employers with a history of willful violations.

Regardless of citations, fines, and bad press, if employers value the health and safety of their workers, then everyone benefits. Do you know what your company needs to stay out of the press and in compliance?

Call or email Worksite Medical today to find out. 1-844-622-8633 | info@worksitemed.com