Not that scare tactics have even been employed in the selling of safety… no sir… but some of you might want to communicate to management that there is a new OSHA out there conducting inspections and levying fines.

Consider how the agency started off the first week of September:

September 4 — International Bridge & Iron Co., a manufacturer of structural steel bridge parts, faces a total of$225,500 in proposed fines from OSHA for new and recurring safety hazards at its Newington, Conn., manufacturing plant.

September 4 — OSHA cites Metal Improvement Co., doing business as E/M Coating Services in Lombard, Ill., with alleged serious and repeat citations of federal workplace safety and health standards. Proposed penalties total$275,000.

September 3 — OSHA proposes$148,000in fines against C.W. Pond Contractors Inc., a Norwalk, Conn., electrical contractor, in connection with a March 4 electrical fire at the Old YMCA at 980 Washington Blvd. in Stamford, Conn.

September 2 — OSHA proposes $69,500in penalties against Chris Brigham, doing business as Brigham Farms, for safety violations at its Ball Ground, Ga., poultry additive facility.

September 1 — OSHA cites Stavis Seafoods Inc. for 15 alleged serious violations of safety and health standards at its Channel Street distribution and processing facility in Boston. The seafood company faces a total of$47,250in proposed fines, chiefly for deficiencies in its process safety management (PSM) program.

Not exactly EPA-mega fines, but a sign that OSHA field compliance officers have gotten the word from Washington that a new sheriff is at the Department of Labor.