OSHA Widens ‘Severe Violator’ Program, Spurring Fear Of ‘Exponential’ Growth

Correction Appended OSHA has unveiled a new version of its “Severe Violator Enforcement Program” (SVEP) targeting employers that “willfully or repeatedly” violate safety standards or refuse to correct violations, broadening a key part of the program to cover all rules rather than only “high emphasis hazards” in a move employer attorneys say could expand its reach “exponentially.” The agency on Sept. 15 released new criteria for designating severe violators , with changes including a quicker path to exit the...