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What happens if you don’t follow OSHA? 

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

 

Most companies are required to follow the standards that are in place and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). While OSHA does grant record-keeping exemptions for companies that have less than 10 employees, state and local employees, self-employed workers, immediate family of farmers, and some Federal employees, the majority of small and large businesses in four categories (general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture) are legally required to follow OSHA. 

OSHA lists eight (8) primary responsibilities and standards that all businesses are required to follow. These include:

  • Instituting fall protection;
  • Preventing trenching cave-ins;
  • Establishing protection from exposure to some infectious diseases;
  • Maintaining safety protocols for workers in confined spaces;
  • Preventing exposure to harmful chemicals;
  • Maintaining guards on dangerous machines;
  • Providing safety equipment for employees;
  • Providing training, specifically for certain dangerous jobs, for a diverse workforce.

OSHA inspections are surprise inspections and are scheduled based on federal, local, or regional priority or these inspections can be conducted following a whistle-blowing complaint. When businesses are not in compliance with the regulations in place by OSHA, the consequences can range from citations to jail time, however depending on the seriousness of the violation, inspectors typically first issue a citation with a timeframe for fixing the issue(s). 

Follow-up inspections will determine if the concerns were addressed and corrected. OSHA takes a strong stance against “foot-dragging” and willful misconduct on the part of an employer and hefty fines can be given. If an employee is killed because of the actions of their employer, those responsible could face criminal charges, fines up to $10,000, and up to six (6) months in prison. If it is not the individual’s first conviction for OSHA violations, they can be fined up to $20,000 and face a year in prison. 

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, an experienced personal injury lawyer can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at Mike Agruss Law, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 1,000 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 135 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.

 

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