OSHA has stopped issuing press releases for large enforcement cases. In fact, the last enforcement press release was issued January 18, 2017, two days before the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Although the Obama administration did not invent the enforcement press release, business associations and some Republicans in Congress have vilified OSHA press releases  for allegedly “shaming” employers.  In fact, the only changes OSHA made in press release policy after the Bush administration was to increase the number of press releases (by reducing the penalty threshold to $40,000), and, over the years, adding additional narrative, describing the incident in more detail and what could have been done to prevent it. For some larger cases, we also added the Workers Compensation carrier.

OSHA is a small agency — around 2,000 inspectors (in federal states and state plans) to oversee around 8 million workplaces. Clearly, OSHA can’t visit more than a tiny number of workplaces each year. In fact, the AFL-CIO estimates that if OSHA were to visit every workplace once, it would take them 145 years. Press releases — publicizing OSHA enforcement actions — help leverage OSHA resources. Instead of a citation just affecting the company that was cited,  a strong press release will impact other companies in the same geographic area, as well as companies in the same industry.

Industry attorneys repeatedly told me and Dr. Michaels over the past several years that their clients don’t really care about the low fines that OSHA issues; what terrifies them is being mentioned in a press release. The attorneys’ universal response: “Well then, make sure your workplace is safe.”  And if that’s the message that OSHA press releases are sending, then mission accomplished.

Being as OSHA is refusing to issue press releases for large cases, thereby refusing to take advantage of the leverage they provide, Confined Space will begin listing large enforcement cases. Note that there are still some technical issues I’m trying to work out. The links in the “More Info” column on the right, for example, will tell you what the violations were and the total fines. Unfortunately, I have not figured out yet how to activate the links without doing each one individually, so for now you’ll have to copy and past them into  a new browser window.

The list below goes from January 18 to February 14. Additional cases will follow periodically.

Inspections 1-18-2017- 2/14/2017

Establishment NameCityStOpen DateIssue DateInitial PenaltyMore Info
ROBERT BARRINGER, III, D/B/A, BARRINGER BROTHERS ROOFING, BARRINGER BROTHERS ROOFING, INC., BARRINGMARYVILLEIL8/17/162/14/17 $223,873 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1172007.015
INGLES MARKETS INCORPORATEDGREENSBOROGA10/12/162/14/17 $58,944 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1183328.015
MIGUEL YADAICELADELAWAREOH1/19/172/14/17 $57,364 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1204138.015
BLACK DIAMOND PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL INC.MARENGOIL8/18/162/13/17 $132,001 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1171482.015
VIVINT SOLAR, INC. LAKEHURSTNJ10/4/162/13/17 $126,749 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1181512.015
U.S. POSTAL SERVICEBALTIMOREMD12/13/162/13/17 $99,594 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1198367.015
AEP INDUSTRIES INC.ALSIPIL1/3/172/13/17 $69,713 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1200333.015
RONNIE DEMEO CONSTRUCTION, INC. WATERBURYCT1/25/172/13/17 $68,321 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1205854.015
TRIPLE-T FOODS INCFRONTENACKS11/7/162/13/17 $44,003 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1189453.015
GLOBAL VELO, INC.GARLANDTX9/27/162/10/17 $48,167 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1180384.015
SERTA SIMMONS BEDDING, LLCMONROEOH8/19/162/10/17 $42,373 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1171238.015
GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC.MARIONOH11/21/162/9/17 $59,756 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1192985.015
SERGI CONSTRUCTION INC.LOCKPORTNY9/1/162/9/17 $49,250 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1174644.015
ACC, INC.PALATINEIL1/23/172/9/17 $48,799 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1204408.015
NINJA CONSTRUCTION INC.PANAMA CITY BEACHFL8/13/162/8/17 $112,191 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1170166.015
ARKEMA, INC.CROSBYTX8/9/162/8/17 $107,918 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1170128.015
U.S. POSTAL SERVICELEHIGH VALLEYPA11/9/162/8/17 $99,630 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1190596.015
BOLD IDEAS TEXASBRECKENRIDGETX10/6/162/8/17 $49,435 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1182180.015
L-CON INC.NEDERLANDTX8/13/162/7/17 $152,099 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1169855.015
RWLS LLC, DBA RENEGADE SERVICE LEVELLANDTX8/10/162/7/17 $70,619 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1168522.015
K&F CONSTRUCTION, INC.GROVE CITYOH12/1/162/7/17 $48,799 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1194797.015
TRANSAXLE, LLCCINNAMINSONNJ8/9/162/6/17 $382,605 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1168385.015
WOODRIDGE ENTERPRISES INC.FLOSSMOORIL12/2/162/6/17 $62,143 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1194723.015
JF PLASTERING, LLCEL PASOTX1/18/172/6/17 $56,572 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1203691.015
ROBERT BARRINGER, III, D/B/A, BARRINGER BROTHERS ROOFING, BARRINGER BROTHERS ROOFING, INC., BARRINGFAIRVIEW HEIGHTSIL8/4/162/3/17 $205,544 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1167645.015
DASSAULT FALCON JET WILMINGTON CORPORATIONNEW CASTLEDE8/5/162/3/17 $76,050 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1172386.015
GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.COCOAFL12/8/162/3/17 $68,442 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1196279.015
WOOSTER ROOFINGWINCHESTERMA10/4/162/3/17 $55,770 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1182367.015
CK TECHNOLOGIES, LLCBROWNSVILLETX8/24/162/3/17 $48,890 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1172921.015
MOSIER INDUSTRIAL SERVICES CORPORATIONCOLUMBUSOH8/4/162/2/17 $259,842 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1167526.015
SS INDUSTRIES, LLCCOLLEGEVILLEPA10/20/162/2/17 $100,450 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1185446.015
OMNI BAKING COMPANY, LLCVINELANDNJ8/10/162/2/17 $66,996 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1168701.015
SENDERO INDUSTRIES, LLCHUMBLETX12/13/162/2/17 $54,376 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1197241.015
JD NORMAN INDUSTRIES, INC.ADDISONIL9/1/162/1/17 $143,410 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1174458.015
CHICAGO POWDERED METAL PRODUCTS CO.SCHILLER PARKIL8/22/162/1/17 $85,051 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1171651.015
SAINT JEAN INDUSTRIES, INC.HEBER SPRINGSAR12/7/162/1/17 $63,374 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1195859.015
MICHELS CORPORATIONBROWNSVILLEWI8/8/162/1/17 $57,762 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1167646.015
TRANSAXLESOUTH HACKENSACKNJ10/17/162/1/17 $55,572 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1184292.015
MICHELS CORPORATIONBROWNSVILLEWI8/8/162/1/17 $49,795 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1206238.015
DALLAS WASTE DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING, INC.DALLASTX8/10/161/31/17 $195,633 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1168490.015
CARYLON CORPORATIONHAYDENAZ8/9/161/31/17 $159,342 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1168931.015
PAMARCO GLOBAL GRAPHICS, INC.BATAVIAIL11/3/161/31/17 $91,266 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1188682.015
BALL METAL BEVERAGE CONTAINER CORP.FINDLAYOH8/18/161/31/17 $82,388 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1170665.015
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATIONDOVERDE8/31/161/31/17 $74,240 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1172115.015
ASARCO LLCHAYDENAZ8/16/161/31/17 $72,431 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1172081.015
COST COMPANY, L.P.PITTSBURGHPA8/9/161/31/17 $52,151 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1169405.015
BULA FORGE & MACHINE, INC.CLEVELANDOH1/17/171/31/17 $43,604 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1203088.015
MPW INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, INC.CHILLICOTHEOH10/3/161/27/17 $63,375 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1180730.015
FOOD CENTER CORPORATIONST THOMASVI8/5/161/27/17 $51,400 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1168929.015
ALATRADE FOODS LLCPHENIX CITYAL8/11/161/27/17 $49,793 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1169512.015
ROUNDY'S SUPERMARKETS, INC. MAZOMANIEWI11/21/161/26/17 $99,589 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1192465.015
PINNACLE PROPANE EXPRESS, LLCGURNEEIL7/29/161/26/17 $57,040 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1165614.015
FLORIDA TRANSFORMER, INC.DEFUNIAK SPRINGSFL8/9/161/26/17 $46,899 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1167974.015
MIAMI VALLEY STEEL SERVICE, INC.PIQUAOH9/9/161/25/17 $60,950 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1176140.015
LUDWIG BUILDINGS ENTERPRISES, LLCHARAHANLA11/9/161/25/17 $46,900 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1190726.015
PARAGON RIO GRANDE, LLCBROWNSVILLETX8/11/161/24/17 $88,007 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1169144.015
MARINEMAX NORTHEAST, LLCLINDENHURSTNY7/25/161/24/17 $50,700 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1164415.015
NORTH FLORIDA SHIPYARDS, INC.JACKSONVILLEFL9/13/161/24/17 $42,372 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1176882.015
JAJ ROOFINGHAYWARDCA8/21/161/23/17 $89,995 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1171816.015
JOSE A. ORTIZPROVIDENCERI12/23/161/23/17 $54,976 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1200237.015
NEW WINCUP HOLDINGS, INC.STONE MOUNTAINGA7/26/161/20/17 $408,787 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1165746.015
GM CONTRACTORS PLUS CORPBROOKLYNNY7/21/161/20/17 $173,647 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1163855.015
JERICHO HOME IMPROVEMENTSKANSAS CITYMO8/25/161/20/17 $76,050 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1172857.015
GRM FRAMING, INC.ROCKWALLTX12/27/161/20/17 $62,942 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1199951.015
UNITED ERECTORS INC.SAN ANTONIOTX11/29/161/20/17 $44,906 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1193936.015
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICEPARKERSBURGWV8/3/161/19/17 $69,713 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1169367.015
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICEMARTINSBURGWV8/17/161/19/17 $69,713 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1175431.015
JYOTI AMERICAS, LLCCONROETX8/2/161/19/17 $68,591 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1171293.015
FRIANT & ASSOCIATES, LLCOAKLANDCA9/8/161/19/17 $53,390 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1175846.015
DANA RAIL CARE INC.WILMINGTONDE7/21/161/19/17 $49,251 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1163455.015
GRANITE TRANSFORMATIONSGRAPEVINETX10/6/161/19/17 $47,052 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1182557.015
CAPITAL SIDING & CONSTRUCTION, LLC ALBANYNY7/19/161/18/17 $168,587 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1162895.015
JJF CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLCATLANTIC BEACHFL10/14/161/18/17 $83,654 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1192063.015
ASPEN PRODUCTS, INC.MACONGA7/27/161/18/17 $82,388 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1167627.015
HANWHA ADVANCED MATERIALS AMERICAOPELIKAAL10/18/161/18/17 $72,427 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1185469.015
NAILOR INDUSTRIES OF TEXAS INC.NORTH LAS VEGASNV11/3/161/18/17 $60,000 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1188937.015
TRADESMEN INTERNATIONAL, LLCALBANYNY8/18/161/18/17 $45,270 https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1170589.015
6 thoughts on “OSHA Enforcement Cases: They Won’t Tell You; We will”
  1. Thank you for taking this in to your own hands. Transparency is absolutely key to having companies be accountable for their actions. I wish our president would think about the workers and their families instead of how the companies feel.

  2. Hate to say it, but you might have to create a Facebook page and twitter account to do this as well, more people get their news from social media now than from news sources.

  3. The healthcare environment learned this lesson after decades of covering up errors for which they might be sued. They learned that patients are less likely to sue if you are honest and apologize when things go wrong. They also learned that nobody learns from a mistake if you try to hide it. An open, timely review of incidents reveals that most medical errors are not the fault of any one person. They are more likely the results of communication failures or other system issues that can be addressed and corrected. In teaching hospitals, this is now the norm. Residents learn to talk openly about incidents in front of their peers and supervisors so they will appreciate how much they can learn from each other’s mistakes. This also makes it easier to accept responsibility when things go wrong, which in the real world happens sooner or later. There would be no need for shaming or blaming if business owners likewise took more responsibility for failures that cost so many employees their lives.

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