Regulatory Roundup

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA struggles to fill inspector positions
As of Oct. 2016, OSHA had lost 40 inspectors with no effort underway to fill the vacancies. Since then, OSHA has acknowledged the need for more manpower, hired several inspectors and is currently recruiting over 24 more. However, the previous hiring freeze and uncertainty about future funding are making it more challenging to staff the positions…MORE

Trump resubmits Scott Mugno’s nomination
Trump has resubmitted Scott Mugno’s nomination to head OSHA as the assistant secretary of labor. This move was required due to the Senate not confirming the appointment before the end of the legislative
term last month. Mugno will once again appear before the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to present his case…MORE

OSHA fines increase to adjust for inflation

The maximum OSHA and Mine Safety and Health Administration penalties have been increased about one percent due to inflation. This introduces a new maximum penalty of $12,934 to several OSHA violations: serious, other than serious, failure to correct and violation of posting requirements. Willful and serious violations can now be penalized up to $129,336…MORE

Studies, resources, trends, news

Seattle business owner faces manslaughter charges after trench collapse
The owner of a Seattle construction company was charged with second-degree manslaughter stemming from a 2016 incident in which one of his employees died in a trench collapse. This is the first time that a workplace fatality in Washington has led to a felony charge, and shows employers that they can be held criminally accountable. The owner also faces a gross misdemeanor for violating a labor safety regulation, resulting in death…MORE

Workplaces see expansion of health and wellness offerings
According to a survey of HR managers, about 66 percent of companies have broadened health and wellness options in the past five years. Several innovative ways companies are focusing on wellness were noted, including providing free massages, offering onsite personal trainers and offering onsite exercise and cooking classes. Based on these trends, not offering health and wellness benefits could put a company at a disadvantage in
recruitment and retention…MORE