OSHA Steps Up Enforcement as Violations Rise

Feb. 9, 2008

In 2007 there was a 6% increase in safety violations compared to 2006.

Overall workplace safety violations increased in the United States by 6% in 2007 over the previous year, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The department attributes the rise to an increase in enforcement efforts. OSHA conducted 39,324 inspections in 2007, a 4.3% increase over its 2007 goal of 37,700 inspections. At the same time, total violations increased 6% over 2006, with serious infractions rising 9% and repeat offenses increasing 6.4%. OSHA reported a record number of Enhanced Enforcement Program (EEP) violations (719) in 2007.

EEP targets employers who, despite OSHA's enforcement and outreach efforts, repeatedly ignore their OSH Act obligations and place their employees at risk. EEP focuses on cases with extremely serious violations related either to a fatality or to multiple willful or repeated violations.

OSHA Violation Statistics	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	% Change 2003-2007
Total Violations	83,539	86,708	85,307	83,913	88,846	6.4
Total Serious Violations	59,861	61,666	61,018	61,337	67,176	12.2
Total Willful Violations	404	462	747	479	415	2.7
Total Repeat Violations	2,147	2,360	2,350	2,551	2,714	26.4
Total Other-than-Serious	20,552	21,705	20,819	19,246	18,331	-10.8

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About the Author

Jonathan Katz | Former Managing Editor

Former Managing Editor Jon Katz covered leadership and strategy, tackling subjects such as lean manufacturing leadership, strategy development and deployment, corporate culture, corporate social responsibility, and growth strategies. As well, he provided news and analysis of successful companies in the chemical and energy industries, including oil and gas, renewable and alternative.

Jon worked as an intern for IndustryWeek before serving as a reporter for The Morning Journal and then as an associate editor for Penton Media’s Supply Chain Technology News.

Jon received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Kent State University and is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan.