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OSHA News Release: [12/05/2002]
Contact Name: William
Wright
Phone Number: (202) 693-1999
OSHA Exceeds Inspection
Targets for Fiscal Year 2002
Penalties for Serious Violations Also
Rise
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration made good on its promise to deliver strong, fair and effective
enforcement this past year by exceeding its inspection goals and increasing
both the number of serious violations and the penalties assessed for them, U.S.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced today.
“One of my priorities has been and will continue to be strong,
fair, effective enforcement, and these figures bear that out,” said Chao.
“Inspections of workplaces are up, and we are more effectively targeting
where the hazards exist. We will continue to make improvements as we progress
toward our bottom line—reducing injuries, illness and fatalities in the
workplace.”
The increased enforcement activity came during a year when the agency
also dedicated unprecedented resources to ensuring the safety and health of
workers at the World Trade Center site in New York. Over a ten-month period,
more than 1,000 inspectors from state, consultation, and Federal OSHA offices
around the country were sent to assist in the New York effort.
During fiscal year 2002, which ended on Sept. 30, 2002, the agency
inspected 37,493 workplaces in the United States. That is 1,093 inspections
more than the fiscal year target of 36,400 inspections. In addition, the
average penalty for serious violations rose from $930 in FY-2001 to $977 in
FY-2002, indicating that the violations OSHA found were more serious, with
higher penalties attached. Serious violations of workplace safety and health
laws accounted for 70% of all OSHA violations found. This figure, the highest
ever, shows that the agency is directing its resources to the establishments
most in need of enforcement action.
“No worker should be injured or killed on the job,” said
Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration John
Henshaw. “While there are fewer workplace fatalities each year, we still
have more to do. We will continue to work with employers and employees to drive
down injury and fatality rates even lower. A safe and healthful workplace, free
from recognized hazards, is the right of every worker in America.”
The top five most frequently cited OSHA standards are also in the most
hazardous industries and areas with the most potential for serious illness,
injury or death: scaffolding, hazard communications, fall protection,
respiratory protection, and lockout/tagout.
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