In R Williams Construction Co

question 7

Multiple Choice

In R. Williams Construction Co. v OSHRC, a trench collapsed at a construction site, killing one worker, and severely injuring another. A hydraulic jack supporting the wall had been removed, and the walls of the trench were not sloped, as required by OSHA regulations. The construction firm argued that, although it did not know what the OSHA requirements were, its employees had much work experience and common sense, and they talked about safety "all the time." The OSHRC ruled: ​

• A)for the employer, because of the several years of experience of its workers
• B)for the employer, because the employees frequently talked about safety
• C)for the workers, because there was a death and a serious injury
• D)for the workers, because OSHA regulations applied, and it is not a defense that the firm did not know about OSHA regulations

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Definitions:

Variable Ratio

A schedule of reinforcement where a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses, making it highly resistant to extinction.

Fixed Interval

A reinforcement schedule where a reward is given after a predetermined time period has passed following a response.

Fixed Ratio

A schedule of reinforcement where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of correct responses, often leading to high rates of response.

Variable Interval

A schedule of reinforcement where a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed, in operant conditioning.