Norwood, the chairman of the Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, introduced the bill because he believes that small businesses don’t always get fair treatment when confronted with OSHA enforcement issues, reports the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA). Among other provisions, the bill would require OSHA to consider the size and financial condition of the employer’s business, the employer’s good faith, the severity of the violation, the employer’s compliance history, and the degree of responsibility or culpability for the violation.

If it is passed into law, the legislation would likely result in reduced penalties.

Publication date: 06/30/2003