Does OSHA Really Help Companies Get Compliant

There has always been a not so secret elephant in the room when it comes to businesses embracing OSHA regulations. Instead of welcoming OSHA and feeling like they have both company and worker best interests in mind, many see OSHA as the enemy; only worried about handing out fines and less about really helping to improve the safety of facilities.

OSHA was started with the goal of saving lives and compliance assistance in doing so for companies, where did this mission get lost in the minds of businesses along the way?

For businesses that are struggling to understand the complexity of a regulation given conflicting compliance resources, often times they feel like they are fighting a losing battle, with their only OSHA interaction being that of the bearer of bad news.

An ongoing senate subcommittee hearing titled “Examining Agency Discretion in Setting and Enforcing Regulatory Fines and Penalties” has set out to try and understand the perceptions of OSHA and how the focus can be shifted from writing fines (which inspectors are required by law to do if they find a violation) to a more ongoing compliance assistance approach.

OSHA does currently offer some compliance assistance services including: consultations, training courses, resources and partnerships.

If you feel like your facility could benefit from exploring these OSHA resources, click here for more information.