“…the workplaces of 2010 are not those of 1970: the law must change as our workplaces have changed…As a British statesman once remarked, “The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.””

Those are the words spoken by David Michaels the Assistant Secretary for OSHA as he stood before The Subcommittee On Workforce Protections The Committee On Education And Labor U.S. House Of Representatives on March 16, 2010.

Michaels stated that “The Administration strongly supports the goals of the Protecting America’s Workers Act (PAWA)” and welcomes the updates “that would strengthen the law and significantly increase OSHA’s ability to protect American workers.”

Michaels touched on various areas of the bill, but put major focus on the enhanced penalties for occupational safety and health violations. The hope is that increased fines and penalties will deter companies from taking shortcuts when it comes to providing adequate safety equipment and practices in the workplace.

If the bill passes some of the new penalties would include fines up to $250,000 for repeat violations that involve a fatality and up to 10 years in prison for knowingly violating a rule that results in the death of an employee.

Click here to read the entire testimony presented by David Michaels.

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