OSHA Increases Penalties for 2021

Effective Jan. 15, 2021, to adjust for inflation, OSHA has upped the maximum monetary penalty amounts for violations of its standards and regulations. This year, any willful and repeat violation can expect to incur fines of as much as $136,532. This 1.8% increase results from the Department of Labor Civil Penalty ruling in 2015, which allows for year-to-year change for inflation. Work-related injuries are on an upward trend as reported incidents grow and challenges arise from the ongoing novel coronavirus or COVID-19. The OSHA Top 10 Violations remain virtually unchanged. An effective training strategy and visual communication can help prevent workplace violations and hefty fines.

Take Training to a New Level

OSHA requires employers to provide training to workers who face potential hazards on the job. Safety professionals can encounter an array of challenges when it comes to training. A recent occupational safety poll by United Academy found these five challenges:

• Keeping workers in a safety mindset
• Budget constraints
• Training multigenerational workers
• Time restraints
• Keeping training fresh

Strengthening workplace safety weaknesses begins with an employer and staff that have the same priorities. Keep workers in a safety mindset by allowing them to help pinpoint safety needs. Workers are the ones doing the work and sometimes can help figure out the best solution.

Up-to-date resources don't have to break the bank. Free print and online resources provide current informational tips and best practice solutions quickly, such as videos, infographics, or safety news articles. Balance the learning styles of multiple generations and multiple groups of workers with cost-effective labels and signs. In advance, set safety goals for the facility. Each day, work on one goal or topic for discussion in worker training. These tactics improve worker safety as well as workplace efficiency, which supports the bottom line.

Safety Resources

How is safety progressing in the workplace? Safety managers in any industry can improve workplace safety using free solutions and compliance assessment resources. Study up on subjects that impact job responsibilities with free guides and visual learning tools such as an informative Job Hazard Analysis webinar. Get tips for fall protection, lockout/tagout (LO/TO), HazCom 2012, and other frequently cited OSHA violations. Immediately address safety concerns in-house economically by increasing visual communication on quality supplies that last.