The Department of Labor also updated its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance regarding penalty reductions for small employers. The change purports to expand which small employers (i.e., those with up to 25 employees or those without a notable history of OSHA violations) may be eligible for reduced penalties. While the policy has already gone into effect, OSHA notes it “retains the right to withhold penalty reductions where penalty reductions do not advance the goals of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.”
Business Takeaway: While this development need not prompt any safety compliance or policy changes in and of itself (as it relates to penalties, not standards), it serves as a reminder to audit your health and safety policies and protocols. Contact us if you have questions regarding OSHA compliance.