U.S. Labor Department Extends Contest Dates for Workplace Safety, Health, Citations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has resumed normal enforcement operations and is working diligently to continue its mission to ensure safe and healthy working conditions free from unlawful retaliation, while also helping employers reduce job hazards following a lapse in appropriations.

During the lapse in appropriations, OSHA received safety and health complaints that did not meet criteria for excepted activity and, therefore, were not processed upon receipt. The agency is now actively addressing the backlog of complaints, which may be processed via informal inquiry, and OSHA will respond as quickly as possible. Individuals do not need to resubmit their complaints.

Additionally, OSHA has extended the time employers have to respond to citations issued immediately prior to or during the government shutdown. Shutdown days do not count as “working days.” For employers whose citations were issued and/or received between October 1 and November 12, OSHA tolled the 15-day contest period due to the lapse in appropriations. These contest periods are now extended through December 4.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, a company has 15 working days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case process. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.

For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.