dp

If you have seen the critically acclaimed HBO series, The Wire, you may remember the phrase that all the neighborhood kids would say when the Robin Hood type character, Omar Little, would come strolling down the block…“Omar

Omar Comin'

Comin”.  This usually meant that something pretty heavy was going to go down because Omar was the type of character that would usually leave someone having a very bad day before his visit was over.  This type of visit is also typical of when OSHA comes by the office of a contractor or a construction jobsite because of a violation or a high number of claims that set off a red flag at OSHA HQ.  As we transition in 2010, “we” can expect a lot more calls of OSHA Comin’.  Dr. David Michaels was recently confirmed on December 03, 2009 as the new head of OSHA.  In a blog post over at FDRSafety.com, the author of the blog,  Jim Stanley expects Dr. Michaels to increase OSHA’s vigilance in the following areas:

Dr. Michaels’ agenda for OSHA begins with increased emphasis on enforcement, a focus on health standards and a push for penalty increases. His agenda also includes expedited rulemaking procedures.

I expect OSHA to accelerate current rulemaking on beryllium, silica, cranes and derricks, hazard communication and combustible dust. I also expect OSHA to initiate a new rulemaking to mandate minimum standards for occupational safety and health programs. (This is where OSHA will try to dictate what your safety program contains and requires!) I also believe OSHA will attempt to increase sampling for airborne substances and continue its emphasis on investigating OSHA-required recordkeeping.

In speaking with an associate who is a well-known leader in the field of Construction Safety, he mentioned that of the several OSHA compliance officers he has spoken with, they were told to “get out of the office”.  Essentially meaning that the compliance officers who previously spent the majority of their time doing paperwork, are now going to be back in the field Enforcing and Penalizing violations.

What does this mean for contractors?

1. Surprise Inspections
2. Higher fines for willful violations
3. Monitoring of the proper posting of OSHA 300 Logs
4. and most importantly the enforcement of boilerplate safety regulations.

If you need any help getting back up to speed with your safety plan, OSHA compliance, OSHA 10/30 hour, or the proper completion and posting of your OSHA logs contact the Experts at Construction Risk Advisors, Connecticut’s first Construction Only Risk Management Firm