Assignment
Some companies, such as DuPont, are well known for organizational commitment to employee health and safety. Others complain about the high cost of OHSA compliance and give minimal attention to health and safety. To what extent should owners and managers be held personally liable for breaches of health and safety requirements? Is it appropriate that managers be given criminal punishment for health and safety violations?
For example, a Bronx, NY junk yard owner was recently sentenced to six months in jail, four and a half years of probation, and a fine of $16,000 for ordering an employee into a fuel tank containing toxic fumes without respiratory protection (press release from New York Attorney General's office, 2005).
Should owners and managers be held criminally liable for unsafe and unhealthy acts? Discuss whether you agree or disagree and why or why not. To what extent should it be the organization as opposed to the manager that is held liable? What individual responsibility do managers have? What is the responsibility of top managers as compared to front-line managers?
Should organizations be allowed to pay fines for their managers?
Length: 500 words.