Charles Norwood: “I have for you today a couple of OSHA nightmares which illustrate OSHA's overbearing enforcement policies. Although OSHA…”

“I have for you today a couple of OSHA nightmares which illustrate OSHA's overbearing enforcement policies. Although OSHA eventually dropped the charges in both cases, I think they still provide valuable insight into the mentality of an out-of-control agency. In the first OSHA nightmare, a Maine dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Grosser, was fined $17,500 as the result of an OSHA office inspection. The fines included an $8,000 infection control citation and a $7,000 citation for improper hazardous materials information and training. OSHA charged that Dr. Grosser's employees 'were exposed to the hazard of being infected with hepatitis B and/or HIV through possible direct contact with blood or other body fluids.' However, Dr. Grosser's only employee is a receptionist who does not work with patients. For that, Dr. Grosser incurred an $8,000 infection control fine. So what, you may ask did Dr. Grosser do in the case of the $7,000 fine? In this instance Dr. Grosser was charged $7,000 for not providing hazardous materials information and training. What were the hazardous materials in question? Chemical developer used in a self-contained x-ray machine and bleach used to mop the floor. That's right, ordinary household bleach.”