OSHA and EPA Regulation Enforcement Updates

• Ashley Slovinski
• August 3, 2010

As of June 18, OSHA is now enforcing the Severe Violators Enforcement Program that it announced in April. The program focuses enforcement efforts on employers who willfully and repeatedly endanger workers by exposing them to serious hazards. The directive establishes procedures and enforcement actions for the severe violator program, including increased inspections, such as mandatory follow-up inspections of a workplace found in violation and inspections of other worksites of the same company where similar hazards or deficiencies may be present.

Also, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced it will delay enforcement of the new Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (RRP) regulations.  The Agency issued a memorandum providing renovation firms and workers additional time to obtain necessary training and certifications to comply with its new lead paint rules.

Renovation workers must enroll in or apply to enroll in a certified renovator class by September 30, 2010, and complete training by December 31, 2010, to avoid any fines.