By Robert G. Chadwick, Jr.,  Partner, Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP.

The OSHA penalty structure is specifically designed to punish employers more severely for uncorrected hazards discovered by the agency during a previous inspection. As of January 23, 2019, the maximum fine for a willful or repeat violation is $132,598; the maximum fine for failing to correct a hazard after the prescribed abatement date is $13,260 per day.

It is not surprising, therefore, that a follow-up OSHA inspection can yield significantly greater proposed penalties than an original inspection. Indeed, the largest citation ever issued by OSHA included $50.6 million in proposed fines against BP Products North America, Inc. for failing to abate hazards from a previous inspection.

To be sure, follow-up inspections have low priority for OSHA according to an agency publication.  A follow-up inspection can nevertheless be triggered by many circumstances, including (1) the nature of the employer’s operations, (2) the nature of hazards discovered during the initial inspection, (3) the failure of the employer to provide timely abatement documentation following the initial inspection, and (4) an event triggering another priority, such as an accident or complaint.

The road from an initial OSHA inspection to resolution of a citation can certainly be a difficult and costly one. For an employer which has heeded the lessons of the initial inspection, a follow-up inspection can be a mere annoyance. For an employer which has not heeded these lessons, however, a follow-up inspection can be devastating.

Robert G. Chadwick, Jr. frequently speaks to non-profit organizations regarding occupational safety and health issues. To contact him for a speaking engagement, please e-mail him at rchadwick@realclearcounsel.com.