Most likely, you are well aware of NRCA's and other industry
groups' efforts to be proactive with regard to the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In several instances, NRCA
has been successful in negotiating with the agency to achieve more
balanced standards that account for the uniqueness of the roofing
trade.
However, OSHA still has an obligation and the authority to
enforce its regulations; it did so with gusto during 2002 and plans
to continue to do so this year.
During its 2002 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, 2002, OSHA
logged 37,493 workplace inspections—1,093 more than its
target. In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor says the average
penalty for serious violations rose from $930 in fiscal year 2001
to $977 in fiscal year 2002. Serious violations accounted for 70
percent of...
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