Changes Announced by U.S. Department of Labor to OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program

On September 15^th, 2022 the U.S Department of Labor announced changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

OSHA has changed the requirements for placement into the program in order to strengthen the enforcement while improving compliance. The changes reflect a more serious violation offense for those that show up as repeat offenders and according to OSHA, “focuses on employers who repeatedly disregard workers’ safety, health” (Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], 2022)

According to the press release released by OSHA, the program features these updates:

•            “Program placement for employers with citations for at least two willful or repeated violations or who receive failure-to-abate notices based on the presence of high-gravity serious violations.” (OSHA, 2022)

•            “Follow-up or referral inspections made one year – but not longer than two years – after the final order.” (OSHA, 2022)

•            “Potential removal from the Severe Violator Enforcement Program three years after the date of receiving verification that the employer has abated all program-related hazards. In the past, removal could occur three years after the final order date.” (OSHA, 2022)

•            “Employers’ ability to reduce time spent in the program to two years, if they consent to an enhanced settlement agreement that includes use of a safety and health management system with seven basic elements in OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs.” (OSHA, 2022)

The complete Severe Violator Enforcement Program can be found here, and the press release can be read here.

The AssuredPartners Energy team is comprised of professionals in their field and take the safety of those that work in the field seriously by staying up to date with the latest compliance and regulation requirements. Contact the team and learn more about the additional resources and knowledge available to keep you safe.

 

Citations:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2022). OSHA INSTRUCTION: CPL 02-00-169 – Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP), September 15, 2022.. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/enforcement/svep