Recommended Read: Los Angeles Times- Worker safety appeals board rulings raise question

"The board often reduces or dismisses penalties against companies that Cal-OSHA has fined."

Link: www.bit.ly/1RR7qD

Directly from the article: A Times review found that the board has repeatedly reduced or dismissed penalties levied by Cal-OSHA over the last few years, even in situations in which workers have died or been seriously injured. The board's actions have done more than save companies money. They have undermined Cal-OSHA's efforts to prevent future accidents, according to labor advocates, inspectors and state documents. Earlier this year, 47 inspectors and district managers at Cal-OSHA, about a quarter of the staff, signed a letter to the board complaining that Cal-OSHA's "deterrent effect has been significantly undermined as employers learn they can 'game the system.' "

We find it astonishing that a board would overlook worker safety just to "clear their backlog." Candice Traeger, the chairwoman of the appeals board justifies this by stating "this gave us the flexibility [to] do what we are doing now, which is make and create a better appeals process." Penalties have been either been dramatically decreased or completely eliminated. This not only sends out the wrong message to employers but it also encourages them to appeal penalties given to them by Cal-OSHA. Is the board becoming a stumbling block for Cal-OSHA? Read the article and let us know what you think.