Local Emphasis Programs (LEPs) are enforcement strategies designed and implemented at the Regional Office and/or Area Office levels of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Nationwide, more than 150 individual programs (sometimes implemented by multiple offices) address industries that include collision repair. During fiscal year 2007, OSHA conducted 21,824 inspections (out of 39,324 total inspections) that were related to
an LEP.

FY 2007 enforcement action included more than 100 inspections that each resulted in a total proposed monetary penalty of more $100,000. OSHA also conducted 16,288 unprogrammed inspections, including employee complaints, accidents and referrals.

OSHA recorded 88,846 violations of its standards and regulations in FY 2007, a 6.4 percent increase since FY 2003. The number of willful violations, while a decrease from the previous year, represents an increase of 2.7 percent over the past five fiscal years. The number of both serious and repeat violations issued increased significantly over the previous fiscal year, as well as over the past five fiscal years. OSHA says that the increases in these types of violations demonstrate its commitment to identifying and eliminating a greater number of serious hazards in the workplace, as well as identifying more employers who have repeatedly violated OSHA standards.