December 11, 2002—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) made good on its promise to deliver strong, fair and effective enforcement this past year by exceeding its inspection goals and increasing both the number of serious violations and the penalties assessed for them, US Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced December 5, 2002.
The increased enforcement activity came during a year when the agency also dedicated unprecedented resources to ensuring the safety and health of workers at the World Trade Center site in New York. Over a ten-month period, more than 1,000 inspectors from state, consultation, and Federal OSHA offices around the country were sent to assist in the New York effort.
During fiscal year 2002, which ended on September 30, 2002, the agency inspected 37,493 workplaces in the United States. That is 1,093 inspections more than the fiscal year target of 36,400 inspections. In addition, the average penalty for serious violations rose from $930 in FY-2001 to $977 in FY-2002, indicating that the violations OSHA found were more serious, with higher penalties attached. Serious violations of workplace safety and health laws accounted for 70% of all OSHA violations found. This figure, the highest ever, shows that the agency is directing its resources to the establishments most in need of enforcement action.
The top five most frequently cited OSHA standards are also in the most hazardous industries and areas with the most potential for serious illness, injury or death: scaffolding, hazard communications, fall protection, respiratory protection, and lockout/tagout.
