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| ©iStockphoto.com/Bariscan Celik |
A report
in The National Law Review reports
that the number of worksites in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program
(SVEP) has increased by 23% in the past year. The program allows for increased
OSHA scrutiny after “egregious” oversights or circumstances such as a workplace
fatality or an incident that hospitalizes at least 3 workers. The program was launched in 2010.
As of July 1, 423 worksites are listed on the SVEP, up from
last year’s 343.
Per the report, “The SVEP list is dominated by construction
and manufacturing firms. There are 257 construction firms, up from last year’s
204, and 117 manufacturing sites, an increase from 97 in 2013. In addition,
small employers make up more than half of the list. A total of 235 SVEP sites
employ no more than 10 workers. Only 61 SVEP-listed employers have at least 100
workers. Neither the industry or size profiles of companies in the program
changed from last year.”
If the citations that put a company in the program are not
either withdrawn or dismissed in a contested case, the company must settle the
citations with OSHA and spend a minimum of 3 years in the program.