Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis:  “Let me be clear, the Labor Department
is back in the enforcement business.”  April 28, 2009 “Workers Memorial Day”

“The government has a fundamental responsibility to protect workers from unsafe workplaces and to protect workers from unjust labor practices.

·       We are focused on workers – not voluntary programs and alliances

·       We are serious about workplace protection

·       We are serious about workplace health

·       And we are serious about workplace safety.”

Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis June 29, 2009

The Administration has been candid about their workplace enforcement position—believe them. 

TRENDS

·       OSHA is taking money from its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and using it for enforcement.

·       Proposed Severe Violators Inspection Program (SVIP)

·       Congressional hearings on the need for Stronger Criminal and Civil Penalties

·       Focus on recordkeeping national emphasis program and enforcement (focus is on employers with low rates in high hazard industries

·       More criminalization of corporate and individual behavior

WHAT CAN AN EMPLOYER DO?

1.     Have a formal, written and effective safety program specific for your company’s operations and hazards.

2.   Evaluate Risk and review safety program

3.   Prepare for continuing changes in enforcement efforts

4.   Management must ensure that safety and health activities are completed regularly and documented.  These include:

• New employee orientation and safety training for each new hire.

• Safety meetings to discuss hazards, accidents and prevention.

• Safety inspections to identify and correct hazards.

• Accident investigations to determine causes and preventive strategies.

• Pre-job safety planning for construction or temporary projects.

• Hazard identification and training

FRONT LINE SUPERVISOR

·       Supervisors have the greatest influence on their work crew.

·       Supervisors can protect workers by enforcing safe work practices and immediately correcting hazards found during regularly scheduled inspections.

·       A consistently implemented safety program improves job morale, protects the company, protects managers and supervisors while protection workers.