Comments on: OSHA Betrays Dead Man’s Family http://www.reformingprojectmanagement.com/2003/12/21/286/ The magazine for the project age Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:36:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Bill, Former OSHA Inspector http://www.reformingprojectmanagement.com/2003/12/21/286/#comment-4059 Wed, 17 May 2006 20:33:58 +0000 http://www.reformingprojectmanagement.com/2003/12/21/286/#comment-4059 I should also add that one of the compliance officers involved in this inspection, Elias Casillas, pleaded guilty to referring companies to Solano for the bribes and was given four years probation. I should also add that one of the compliance officers involved in this inspection, Elias Casillas, pleaded guilty to referring companies to Solano for the bribes and was given four years probation.

]]> by: Bill, Former OSHA Inspector http://www.reformingprojectmanagement.com/2003/12/21/286/#comment-4058 Wed, 17 May 2006 20:26:40 +0000 http://www.reformingprojectmanagement.com/2003/12/21/286/#comment-4058 Mario Solano was recently sentenced to two years in prison for using promised reductions in fines to steer employers to a training company that was giving him kickbacks. This sheds a different light on cases involving Mario Solano such as the one above. A little harder to feel confident that the reduction was made because it was the right thing to do. Safety rules for excavations have been around for over two decades. Practically every excavation industry trade magazine has a half dozen references to OSHA in every issue. It's unfathomable that any excavation company would need more information! Why would an employer encourage his people to ignore the well-known safety rules? Because he thinks he can get away with it and save money, period. In almost every case, it's not the owner of the excavation company that dies in the cave in, it's some poor guy trying to make a living. The owner pays a little fine and it's all over in a few months and back to business. OSHA is the only entity out there trying to stop employers from doing these reckless things. If companies want to ask OSHA questions, they certainly can get all the help they want. But having worked in an OSHA office, I can assure you practically all the calls come from employees with safety concerns, not the boss. Mario Solano was recently sentenced to two years in prison for using promised reductions in fines to steer employers to a training company that was giving him kickbacks. This sheds a different light on cases involving Mario Solano such as the one above. A little harder to feel confident that the reduction was made because it was the right thing to do.

Safety rules for excavations have been around for over two decades. Practically every excavation industry trade magazine has a half dozen references to OSHA in every issue. It’s unfathomable that any excavation company would need more information!

Why would an employer encourage his people to ignore the well-known safety rules? Because he thinks he can get away with it and save money, period. In almost every case, it’s not the owner of the excavation company that dies in the cave in, it’s some poor guy trying to make a living. The owner pays a little fine and it’s all over in a few months and back to business.

OSHA is the only entity out there trying to stop employers from doing these reckless things. If companies want to ask OSHA questions, they certainly can get all the help they want. But having worked in an OSHA office, I can assure you practically all the calls come from employees with safety concerns, not the boss.

]]> by: Hal http://www.reformingprojectmanagement.com/2003/12/21/286/#comment-122 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.reformingprojectmanagement.com/2003/12/21/286/#comment-122 I believe that it is not the workers who principally are responsible for the injuries on the worksite. The system is broken or obsolete. There is a way of working that will bring about safety records that approach an injury-free workplace. Regarding prosecution, it's not a carrot or stick situation. Willful disregard of safe work practices is already punishable by law. I am complaining about OSHA. It needs to do the job it is there to do. Take the offenders to court for each loss of life. Take away their businesses if they are found guilty. The construction industry has to change. Help me. I believe that it is not the workers who principally are responsible for the injuries on the worksite. The system is broken or obsolete. There is a way of working that will bring about safety records that approach an injury-free workplace.

Regarding prosecution, it’s not a carrot or stick situation. Willful disregard of safe work practices is already punishable by law. I am complaining about OSHA. It needs to do the job it is there to do. Take the offenders to court for each loss of life. Take away their businesses if they are found guilty.

The construction industry has to change. Help me.

]]> by: Mark G Lomas http://www.reformingprojectmanagement.com/2003/12/21/286/#comment-123 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.reformingprojectmanagement.com/2003/12/21/286/#comment-123 Hal, Do you really believe that prosecution is the best way for managers to take their responsibility seriously ? The industry is its own worst enemy and workers keep engaging in dangerous practices though ignorance. Workers need to educated to the risks associated with their daily work and they need to be encouraged to do so. Get the OSHA to take a proactive role rather than an enforcer. Do you preach carrot or stick ? BTW love the site, keep up the good work ! Hal,

Do you really believe that prosecution is the best way for managers to take their responsibility seriously ? The industry is its own worst enemy and workers keep engaging in dangerous practices though ignorance. Workers need to educated to the risks associated with their daily work and they need to be encouraged to do so. Get the OSHA to take a proactive role rather than an enforcer. Do you preach carrot or stick ?

BTW love the site, keep up the good work !

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