OSHA Defense

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Why Hire OSHA Defense Lawyers

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created to protect employees from preventable injuries and deaths. Since its creation, thousands of lives have been saved. In fact, worker injuries and illnesses are down from 10.9 incidents per 100 workers in 1972 to 2.8 per 100 in 2017, and worker deaths in America are down on average from about 38 worker deaths a day in 1970 to 14 in 2017. 

Despite these encouraging statistics, an OSHA inspection can yield unfair and unwarranted citations. No matter how effective your safety practices are, an OSHA lawyer can provide an extra layer of protection to ensure that OSHA regulations are being met, while also providing guidance before, during, and after an OSHA inspection. 

Assistance Understanding OSHA Regulations

OSHA regulations can be complicated. Although the men and women working on your construction jobsite may be familiar with the most commonly cited regulations, they may need a refresher — knowing what inspectors are looking for can be tricky. OSHA defense lawyers are knowledgeable in OSHA regulations, including the most common citations. An OSHA attorney can help you understand areas where your team may require additional education. 

An OSHA lawyer can also provide guidance with some of the lesser-known regulations and ensure that you have the proper equipment, gear, and staff to be compliant with OSHA standards. Furthermore, legal counsel can discuss how to cooperate with OSHA in the event of an employee complaint. 

Understanding Inspections

Before an OSHA inspection is conducted, you should contact an OSHA lawyer. The attorney can represent your best interests during the inspection process and inform you of your legal rights before an inspector arrives on your doorstep. 

Following an OSHA inspection, an attorney will discuss any citations and how to contest them. A lawyer will also ensure that all deadlines are met in a timely manner for both contesting and correcting a citation. An attorney will also discuss measures you can put into place at your jobsite to avoid future citations. 

Cotney’s Attorneys & Consultants experienced attorneys will provide sound legal advice to construction professionals at every level and can assist your firm with any OSHA-related need. Not only do we advise our clients on legal matters, but we also provide a myriad of other valuable services for construction businesses, including contract review, employment law advice, and litigation and arbitration services. We also advocate for clients involved in licensing complaints, permitting issues, stop-work orders, and more. 

If you would like to speak with one of our OSHA defense lawyers, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.