Search

OSHA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 9/25

Posted on 9/25/2023 by Lion Technology Inc.

The OSH Act of 1970 requires US employers to provide a safe, healthy workplace for every employee. Failure to comply with applicable OSHA health and safety standards can easily lead to preventable injuries and fatal accidents at workplaces of all types.

The enforcement actions highlighted below provide insight into how and why OSHA issues citations for workplace safety violations. All violations discussed are alleged only unless we say otherwise.

We withhold the names of organizations and individuals subject to enforcement to protect their privacy. Check out OSHA’s latest list of the 10 most-cited safety standards here.


A Houston recycled glass company faces $370,995 in penalties for allegedly exposing workers to safety hazards.

After a complaint led OSHA to investigate a contractor, the Agency claims to have found nine serious, one willful, and three repeat violations related to lockout/tagout, fall hazards, and machine guarding.  Specifically, OSHA says the employer, who had been investigated three times previously, in 2021, allowed projecting shaft ends to be unguarded and did not enclose sprocket wheels and chains.


A roofing contractor faces OSHA enforcement again—this time for alleged fall protection violations at worksites in three Ohio towns.

OSHA inspectors claim to have seen employees—who had access to fall protection equipment—exposed to deadly fall hazards “on four occasions in less than three months in 2023.”

Employers must require workers to use fall protection equipment when it is needed, not just provide it. The contractor also allegedly allowed unsafe extension-ladder and pneumatic nail gun usage. OSHA proposed $548,801 in penalties following the investigation.


OSHA proposed $73,219 in penalties for alleged violations after warning a construction company about excavation hazards.

Federal inspectors warned the construction company’s operator of hazardous conditions at its excavation site in Mangilao, Guam. Two weeks later, they allegedly returned to find workers working in “potentially deadly trench hazards” while installing a sewer line.

The Agency said that the owner was also warned repeatedly by peers and engineers before the inspection and, specifically, did not protect employees from cave-ins with an adequate protective system, exposed employees to atmospheric hazards, and did not provide safe means of egress in trench excavations of 4 feet or more in depth.


Online Training: Get to Know OSHA’s Rules

Lion’s 10 Hour OSHA General Industry Online Course introduces new safety managers to a wide range of the most common workplace health and safety standards for general industry: hazard communication, providing PPE, fire extinguishers, forklifts, fall prevention, and much more.

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

The instructor took a rather drab set of topics and brought them to life with realistic real-life examples.

Tom Berndt

HSE Coordinator

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

I like the consistency of Lion workshops. The materials are well put together and instructors are top notch!

Kevin Pylka

Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Manager

No comparison. Lion has the best RCRA training ever!!

Matt Sabine

Environmental Specialist

I can't say enough how pleased I was with this course! Everything finally makes sense.

Kim Graham

Lab Manager

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

More thorough than a class I attended last year through another company.

Troy Yonkers

HSES Representative

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide to spot which tanks and substances are regulated under EPA's Underground Storage Tank program, and which are excluded as of October 2018.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.