OSHA Cracks Down On PPE Requirements - Cleanlink News December 15 2008

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

OSHA Cracks Down On PPE Requirements - Cleanlink News December 15 2008

The final rule on Clarification of Employers' Duty to Provide Personal Protective Equipment and Train Each Employee was recently published in the Federal Register. The rule revises OSHA standards to clarify that, for employers to be in compliance, they must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazards training for each employee covered by the standards.

Each employee not protected may be considered a separate violation and penalties assessed accordingly. This revised language is consistent with language in other standards for which per-employee citations have been upheld.

The final rule amendments do not add new compliance obligations. Employers are not required to provide new kinds of PPE or hazards training or use a different approach than what is already required. Additionally, employers are not required to provide PPE or training to employees not already covered by existing requirements.

"This technical correction to the PPE standard brings it in line with other OSHA safety and health standards," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Thomas M. Stohler. "By making this change, those few employers who egregiously violate the OSHA PPE standard can be held fully accountable for violations affecting each employee who is not provided proper PPE. This kind of vigorous enforcement is a vital component of OSHA's balanced approach to workplace safety and health."

[MMI Enterprises 289]

So they mean 'employers who egregiously violate' do it on purpose as they know they can afford a single fine... I could see that happening for sake of keeping on schedule and making that almighty dollar. Wouldn't doubt though that with many a smaller outfit it more about them not realizing what was required of them...

Sounds well intentioned but same as much other oversite it can lead to keeping small business down and favoring bigger ones more able to absorb the fines or live up to requirements.