Posted by rozeklawoffice on May 3, 2010 under Construction Site Accidents, Premises Liability Accidents | 
According to a recent article in the Washington Biz Journal, OSHA is increasing penalties for serious violations, including those that occur on construction site jobs. OSHA believes that current penalties, averaging around $1000 per incident, are too low to deter large companies from violating safety regulations. Under the new policy, fines for serious injury (including death) will rise to an average of $3,500.
There is legislation pending in Congress to change the current maximum fine legally allowed to be charged by the agency- $7,000 for serious violations and $70,000 for willful violations- to $12,000 and $250,000, respectively. OSHA is in favor of this legislation stating that penalties must be large enough to discourage large employers from cutting corners and safety programs that trigger mandatory inspections.
In addition to increasing fines, the agency’s intent is to reduce penalties for small businesses that act in good faith and increase inspections at work premises that have repeated safety violations on record. The Legislator is also in the process of earmarking more funds for the agency’s prevention program (safety education/training courses and compliance assistance programs), noting that preventative and educational programs work just as well as fines. An example can be seen in the National Association of Manufacturers labor statistics which report that incident rates workplace injuries have improved 54% and fatalities have fallen 38% since 1994 (the year OSHA programs that helped companies comply with the law were put in place).
Larger penalties for repeat offender companies and an increase in compliance education will hopefully deter future safety violations. More triggers in place that initiate safety inspections will also hopefully deter big companies from taking their chances. This is all very good news for worker safety. Construction sites premises will become safer places to work and visit.
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If you have been injured while working or visiting a construction, please contact an experienced Wisconsin Premises Liability Attorney or Wisconsin Dangerous Property Attorney.
Tags: dangerous proerty regulations, large company Osha Violations, OSHA fines increase for liable premises, penalties and fines for osha violations, premise liability, serious OSHA violations, strciter liability for dangerous property, stricter osha penatlies for construction sites, wisconsin construction site injury, Wisconsin Construction Site Safety, wisconsin dangerous property attorney, wisconsin premises liability accidents, wisconsin premises liability attorney
Posted by rozeklawoffice on April 5, 2010 under Child Injuries |
As temperatures in Wisconsin are heating up, many families will be heading to swimming facilities and water parks around the state.
When it comes to our kids, we parents know the importance of teaching them to swim as an early age to ensure if they ever fall into a swimming pool or other body of water, they will make it out safely. We do not, however, expect to have to be the expert in swimming pool safety standards, as this, we assume, should be the job of the pool or water park owner. We expect those who own and operate water facilities will regularly inspect the water facility for unsafe conditions that could cause injury or even fatalities. Unfortunately, water facilities often get neglected, creating an unsafe environment and a potentially liable owner.
Upon arrival at the water facility, look for the pool drain. As a general rule, in order to meet the Wisconsin Safety Standards, the drain and bottom of the deepest part of the pool should be clearly visible. A murky pool can be an indicator of dangerous conditions. If a child is struggling and in need of assistance, it may be hard to see the child if at the bottom of a cloudy pool. Water clarity is an absolute necessity in drowning situations when every second counts. If your child is harmed due to water visibility issues, a Wisconsin premises liability attorney should be consulted to help you understand your rights.
Other safety features that parents should identify before allowing their children to enter the water include emergency phone, floating devices, and a visible stripe at the bottom of the pool that indicates when shallow waters become deep.
Also, check for signage that indicates that maximum occupancy level and no diving areas. Make a note of the limits and explain them to your children.
Also, watch the lifeguard. It is their job to supervise the pool users. If you notice that the lifeguard is improperly supervising your child by talking on a cell phone or having long chats with other staff while not paying attention to the swimmers, you should immediately report the lifeguard to management. If a child is harmed due to a lifeguards inattentiveness, a Wisconsin premises liability attorney should be consulted to help you understand your rights.
Lastly, if your child is planning to swim at night, take inventory of the lighting available. Proper lighting is critical in cases of search and rescue. Again, every second matters in a drowning situation.
Wisconsin water facility owner’s must keep their swimming area water clarity up to standard and keep safety features in place in order to allow parents to properly supervise their children. It is the owners job to know the proper chlorine levels and technical safety aspects of the facility. Proper maintenance is required.
We hope these water safety tips will help you and your family safely enjoy the upcoming spring and summer Wisconsin weather and recreational activities.
According to a recent article in the Washington Biz Journal, OSHA is increasing penalties for serious violations, including those that occur on construction site jobs. OSHA believes that current penalties, averaging around $1000 per incident, are too low to deter large companies from violating safety regulations. Under the new policy, fines for serious injury (including death) will rise to an average of $3,500.