Yowzer. That’s really all I could say when I read the news that OSHA is looking to triple the penalties for safety violations. In a world where everything in your business is a potential liability, this cannot be welcome news for glass and window and door companies. Historically, the agency’s penalties for violations have been around $1000. Saying that this isn’t high enough to act as a deterrent, the agency wants to raise them to between $3000 and $7000 or even in some cases, $70,000.Further, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis is pushing Congress to pass an updated law called the Protecting America’s Workers Act. This act would not only raise the financial and criminal penalties for violations, it would strengthen protections for whistleblowers and offer additional compensation for victims and their families.
No one doubts the importance of safety in the workplace. We’ve talked before about all the issues associated with losing workers to injuries. Not only is someone’s real life affected, but there’s a bottom line cost to you, the business owner. And that cost is about to go up by a lot.
If your workers don’t have their OSHA cards yet, you need to start thinking about it. Starting very soon, the penalty for not being in compliance won’t just be an inconvenience; it could put you out of business. Thankfully, you can get this done, along with all your other training needs, on MyGlassClass.com through our partner 360training.com. To get started, just visit the Course Catalog. This training is a cost-effective, convenient way to get your workers the training they need to earn their OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards.
Safety comes first every day, of course. But beyond losing a worker and their productivity, you have to watch out for the liability issues and how they affect your business. I’d encourage you to take this simple step as soon as possible.
Matt Rumbaugh
Sr. Manager of Education, Training, and Certification
National Glass Association, Window & Door Dealers Alliance
3 comments:
Watch out. Another signal of how this Administration is stepping up its grip on business. We need to be involved.
How can a legitimate glass shop compete with the guys that operate out of a storage building. They are not certified and when it comes to quotes the glass shop can't compete. The customer does not care they just want their window fixed. The legitimate glass shop has to worry about certification which costs money and being sued.
I concur with OSHA. Seriously! How many more worker deaths or injuries will it take for change. Everyone goes to work to support their families. Every worker wants to make it back home after work. OSHA started in the early 1970's. Our young workers are not being properly trained. Forget about the cost! OSHA 1910 and 1926 standards are on-line, free! There are OSHA quick cards. Information to help small business's comply. Its available-Free! Slips, Trips, and Falls. The biggest problem in construction. 5 minutes, 10 minutes. What! Fall Protection. Ladder safety. Big in glass-Silicosis. Start reading and passing the info. No computer? Go to the building inspection office where you receive your building permits. The building inspectors have life safety code 101, IBC(international building codes), OSHA rules, and State and Federal building codes. The insurance company that you have your workers comp insurance with can help with training(loss prevention division). No more excuses. No more worker deaths and injuries. Period! Marc
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