What Does Abatement Mean?
In the context of workplace safety, abatement refers to any action an employer takes to correct a safety violation.
Abatement is also called hazard abatement.
In the context of workplace safety, abatement refers to any action an employer takes to correct a safety violation.
Abatement is also called hazard abatement.
OSHA conducts workplace inspections to ensure that employers are conforming to safety regulations. In their 1903.19 standard, OSHA specifies that the aim of these inspections is "the abatement of violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970."
The same standard defines abatement as "action by an employer to comply with a cited standard or regulation or to eliminate a recognized hazard identified by OSHA during an inspection."
When an OSHA inspection uncovers a safety violation, the inspector will issue an abatement notice to the employer. This notice will name the violation, describe the abatement measures required, and specify a deadline for completing the abatement.
If an employer is unable to carry out the abatement by the time listed in the abatement notice, they may file a petition for modification of abatement (PMA) with their local OSHA Area Director. The PMA must be filed within 15 days of the notice being issued and include:
OSHA has a five-step process for employers to abate identified hazards and demonstrate compliance with relevant standards: