Receiving an OSHA violation isn’t a permanent blemish on your company’s safety reputation. Although an OSHA violation is nothing to boast about during quarterly reports, understanding the violation and adopting preventive measures can mitigate further damage. Most OSHA fines cost more than $16,000 on average. While one citation won’t likely put the bottom line in the red, multiple and recurring violations could be harbingers to insolvency. Education, prevention, and employee training will mitigate if not outright prevent, most OSHA violations. U.S. Hazmat Rentals’ trusted building advisors can help your company with OSHA’s complex storage regulations, ensuring lasting compliance while avoiding costly penalties.
Understanding the OSHA Violation
So, the worst-case scenario has become a stinging reality. What’s your next move? Understanding OSHA’s nuanced language is your first step. Take a deep breath before carefully reading the federal citation. Keep wordy bureaucratic language from further bogging down thought processes. A sharp, keen, and resourceful mind is crucial in overcoming a taxing OSHA violation. After thoroughly reading the administered violation, contact OSHA’s office to discuss possible solutions and the best action to absolve the transgression. OSHA allows challenges to all violations by filing a Notice of Contest within 15 working days of receiving the violation. Although legal advice could be advantageous in finding a regulatory loophole, further intervention might not achieve desirable results before leading to hefty legal fees that far exceed an initial fine.
Correcting the Issue
While prevention is the ultimate panacea in confronting OSHA violations, timely corrections, like reliable chemical storage, can prevent further operational damages. OSHA isn’t a federal cash cow. Primarily funded by taxpayer dollars, OSHA doesn’t rely on fines to pay the bills, and there’s no bottom line to strive for. OSHA’s mission is to ensure workers’ safety. Unfortunately, money is the quickest way to get any manufacturer’s attention because cash will always reign supreme. OSHA will show forbearance for those willing to correct egregious safety violations and might waive fees for more minor transgressions.
What Percent of OSHA Violations are Related to Chemical Storage?
While an exact percentage isn’t available, industry-wide data suggests non-compliant chemical storage constitutes a significant portion of OSHA’s reportable offenses. Workplace accidents invariably lead to injuries and deaths. Investing in a steel-gauge chemical storage locker can prevent hazardous chemicals from becoming deadly outliers on the jobsite. OSHA requires more than any flammable stockpile exceeding 25 gallons to be stored in a reinforced steel chemical storage locker or warehouse. Our chemical storage lockers are the industry standard for perennial protection. Each fortified locker prevents smaller chemical incidents, like leaks and fires, from becoming a full-blown hazmat emergency. Each locker is outfitted with a continuous sump containment system that prevents all spilled liquids from polluting the environment and jeopardizing vulnerable employees and equipment. Optional climate control and mechanical ventilation preserve expensive chemicals while ridding the air of flammable dust and other contaminants. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation!
