If you’re working in the construction industry, safety is always going to be important. This is why OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, exists. If Texas construction sites do not meet the standards set out by this government entity, there are going to be fines and other penalties to deal with. When you are dealing with OSHA, you should have representation of your own. Our Houston OSHA defense lawyers are ready to advocate for you.
What Are OSHA Guidelines?
OSHA is there to ensure that every private-sector employer is offering a safe workplace to their employees. They set safety standards for bosses and employees, and not following them can cause headaches and extra expenses that you probably do not want to deal with.
When you end up facing an OSHA citation, our lawyers can help. It is generally best to do whatever you can to ensure that you are meeting their standards in the first place though. This is especially true for anyone working in the construction industry, where work conditions can be more dangerous than those found at a typical job.
How Can I Be Sure That I’m Meeting OSHA Guidelines?
If you want to be sure that you are meeting OSHA guidelines, you have to be focused on creating a safe worksite. You should employ competent people who can spot potential hazards and fix them. It is also important to make sure that you have a comprehensive safety program that empowers all employees to create a safer work environment. We recommend focusing on:
- Employee education
- Ensuring that leaders play an active role in safety
- Maintaining regular safety and hazard checks
- Addressing any potential issues immediately
Being proactive about safety can help you protect your employees from harm and stop expensive OSHA violations from being leveled against you.
Why Should I Make the Effort to Meet These Standards?
You should make the effort to meet OSHA guidelines for a few reasons. OSHA complaints can result in:
- Heavy fines
- Disruptions to your projects
- Disgruntled employees
- Damage to the reputation of you and your company
Most people understand that mistakes get made sometimes, but if you are someone who habitually ignores OSHA you are going to end up spending a lot of money that you didn’t need to. You could also have trouble attracting the best workers or securing work on the most lucrative projects if you and your company end up with a bad reputation.
Additionally, an unsafe work environment can lead to employee injuries. This can hurt morale and your bottom line. Projects can get delayed and you could see your workers’ compensation insurance rise over time. If you choose not to carry your insurance, any injury settlement will come right out of your pocket.
Talk to a Houston Construction Lawyer
If you have any questions about OSHA or maintaining a safe worksite, we can help. Contact Patout & Shaw to schedule a consultation. Our seasoned construction lawyers will do their best to help you deal with any small issues before they become larger and more expensive ones.
