OSHA will continue its' targeted focus and enforcement on residential contractors in 2017. Injuries, deaths, fines, little or no safety training and lack of OSHA required safety programs still plaque the residential construction industry. In response OSHA, has renewed ongoing Local Emphasis Programs designed to instruct OSHA inspectors to prioritize audits on residential job sites targeting builders, remodelers and trades. In addition, there are numerous other OSHA changes aimed at exposing prime contractor employers who do not provide safety training and programs to protect their employees and require that sub-contractors work safe on their job sites. 

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Tags: osha enforcement, osha 10, contractors

Many contractors are confused about the different types of OSHA training they must provide for their employees. For example last week I was contacted by a contractor who was cited and fined for failure to provide fall protection training and equipment for his employees. In addition his subcontractor roofer/framer was fined on the same site.

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Tags: sub-contractors, training, osha 10, osha fall protection, contractors

This week we learned that a Massachusetts contractor was indicted by the Mass Attorney General's office for workmen’s compensation insurance fraud. According to the article the contractor misclassified workers and averted paying $120,000 in workmen's compensation insurance premiums. He claimed that he was a general contractor when he actually performed roofing work. There is a good chance he can serve time in the big house. He even has testimonials on his website stating that he did a great job doing roofing.

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Tags: osha 10, osha fall protection, misclassifying workers, osha fines mass

OSHA is focusing heavily on the residential construction industry in Region 1 and most other jurisdictions. Currently in the 2013 10 most cited standards you will find fall protection related violations are the most common. They are Subpart M (duty to have fall protection), Subpart L (scaffolding) and Subpart X (ladders).

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Tags: osha 10

Before you know it Spring 2013 will be here. OSHA will continue to focus their enforcement activities on the residential construction industry. Residential construction is a targeted industry for educational outreach and enforcement.

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Tags: fall protection, osha 10

Tags: osha 10