Sometimes, good businesses make bad decisions. Small businesses are especially vulnerable to bad decisions in using substandard safety processes and systems. During a recent OSHA visit, an auto parts and used car dealer store in Urbana, Illinois learned the value of investing in safe operating conditions the hard way. Bill Smith Auto Parts, Inc. was fined $49,000 for a combination of 14 safety and 6 health violations. (read the details on each violation on blog.kpaonline.com).

I've seen more OSHA activity like this recently with special emphasis on repeat violations. Another big one was just two months ago when Pep Boys received a $75,000 citation for a repeat violation related to parts grinders.

I'd like to hear from you if you consider these reports just exceptions or if your dealership is taking extra precautions to make sure you're not the next target of OSHA?