Omega Company operates a computer chip production plant. Paula is the president of Omega. Ron, a representative of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, inspects the plant and, citing a certain regulation, orders Omega to take specified

Question

steps immediately to improve sanitation at the plant. Paula believes that Ron is either exceeding his authority or that the regulation Ron claims to be enforcing is excessive. Can Omega ask a court for an order to stop enforcement of the regulation? If not, what can Omega do?

Answer 1

Omega cannot ask a court for an injunction to stop the enforcement of the regulation until it has exhausted its administrative remedies. Omega's first step would be to appeal the OSHA representative's order to the agency. After investigating, the agency might negotiate a settlement with Omega. If a settlement cannot be reached, and the agency still considers Omega in violation of the rule, the agency might issue a complaint against the firm. This would be an attempt to bring the plant into compliance and may be accompanied by a press release. Omega can respond by filing an answer to the charge, and may also respond with its own press release. If there is no settlement, there may be a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). After the hearing, the ALJ will issue an initial order, and if Omega is still dissatisfied, the firm can appeal to the commission that governs the agency. If Omega is dissatisfied with the commission's decision, it may appeal to a federal court of appeals. If there is no appeal, or if the commission and the court refuse to review the case, the ALJ's order becomes final. Ultimately, Omega may appeal adverse rulings to the United States Supreme Court.