Start off the New Year by planning your annual health and safety tasks. Many standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have regular training and inspection requirements. This article is intended to make you aware of those requirements and their associated civil penalties for 2023.

Adjusted OSHA Civil Penalty Fine Schedule for 2023

On January 12, the US Department of Labor announced annual adjustments to its OSHA civil penalties based on the cost of living adjustments for 2023. 

OSHA's maximum penalties for serious and other-than-serious violations will increase from $14,502 to $15,625 per violation. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations will increase from $145,027 per violation to $156,259.

Visit the OSHA Penalties page and read the Final Rule for more information.

OSHA Annual and Periodic Recurring Requirements

Let's look at a few of the requirements for facilities covered under OSHA’s regulations. Note: the OSHA Form 300A should be posted as of February 1, 2023.

At the time of Onboarding, Annually, and As Circumstances Change

• Training - Safety training is an essential part of every employer’s safety and health program for protecting workers from injuries and illnesses. Many researchers conclude that those who are new on the job have a higher rate of accidents and injuries than more experienced workers. Employers should keep a record of all safety & health training. Records can provide evidence of the employer’s good faith and compliance with OSHA standards. Where applicable, certain OSHA regulations require annual training, including respiratory protection, emergency response, hazardous waste operations, fire extinguishers, and bloodborne pathogens. Training is also necessary when new policies, equipment, and chemicals are introduced, and when a person changes their role. Retain records onsite.
  
  

Monthly

• Inspect fire extinguishers - Required monthly; retain records onsite.

Annually

• Create, certify, and post an annual summary of injuries and illnesses recorded on the OSHA Form 300 A– post no later than February 1 and keep the posting in place until April 30. For information about OSHA’s record-keeping rules please refer to this cheat sheet. 
• Review permit-required confined space entries - Required annually; retain records onsite.
• Review lockout/tagout energy control procedures and employee’s responsibilities under the procedures - Required annually; retain records onsite. Remember that each energy control procedure must be inspected (energy control procedures used less frequently than annually are required to be inspected only when used).
• Review bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan (including new technology and safer medical devices to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure). Required annually; retain records onsite.
• Review Laboratory Safety Chemical Hygiene Plan, if applicable - Required annually; retain records onsite.
• Fit test employees who are required to use tight-fitting respirators - Required annually; retain records onsite.
• Inform employees of the right to access occupational medical and exposure records - Required annually, where applicable (29 C.F.R. 1910.1020)

Every Three Years

• Evaluate powered industrial truck operator performance - Due every three years; retain records onsite.

Learn More

If you have questions, contact Beacon at safety@beaconmutual.com or contact OSHA directly at(401) 528-4669.