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Improving Workplace Safety

Promoting Worker Safety; Oversight of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA)

 

Republicans take the goals of promoting workplace safety and reducing workplace injuries and illness very seriously. In the 109th Congress, Republicans will continue to move forward with common-sense reforms to improve worker safety.

 

Many smaller worksites can make significant progress in reducing injuries and illnesses if OSHA lends a helping hand to these employers.  OSHA under the Bush Administration has made significant efforts to supplement traditional enforcement with cooperative partnerships, and House Republicans have supported legislation to ensure OSHA enforcement efforts are fair for small businesses that make good faith efforts to comply with all health and safety laws.  

 

In addition, Republicans are examining current rules and regulations in place at the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) to determine whether they are sufficient to meet the safety needs of today's workers.

 

Issue Brief: Improving Workplace Safety and Reforming OSHA

 

Press Statements:

• Workforce Protections Panel Addresses Concerns about Labor Department Use of Non-Consensus Workplace Health and Safety Standards - June 14, 2006

• Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chair Introduces Bill to Rein-In Use of Non-Consensus Workplace Health and Safety Standards - June 8, 2006

• Workforce Protections Subcommittee Examines Use of Non-Consensus Workplace Health and Safety Standards - April 27, 2006

• House Passes Four OSHA Reform Bills to Improve Worker Safety, Promote Fairness for Small Businesses, Encourage Further Job Creation - July 12, 2005

• Witnesses Cite Importance of Voluntary Employer Efforts to Improve Workplace Safety - May 12, 2005

• Committee Approves Five Bills to Promote U.S. Jobs and Competitiveness - April 13, 2005

• House Republicans Introduce Four OSHA Reform Bills to Improve Worker Safety, Promote Fairness for Small Businesses, Encourage Further Job Creation - February 10, 2005

Bill Summary:

• Four OSHA Bills Promote Fairness for Small Businesses, Improve Worker Safety, Competition, Job Creation - July 12, 2005

Fact Sheets:

• Myth vs. FACT on Common-Sense OSHA Reforms - July 12, 2005

• OSHA Reform Bills Improve Worker Safety, Enhance Competitiveness, Foster Job Creation for Small Businesses - July 12, 2005

Chart:

• Voluntary Programs Reduce Worker Injuries (Workplace Injury & Illness, 1999 - 2003)

Dear Colleague Letters:

• Reject False & Misleading OSHA Claims; Support Common Sense OSHA Reform Bills - July 12, 2005

• Organizations Supporting Common Sense OSHA Reforms - July 12, 2005

• Setting the Record Straight on Common Sense OSHA Reforms - July 12, 2005

• Voluntary Partnerships Between OSHA & Employers Proven Successful in Improving Workplace Safety - July 12, 2005

• OSHA Reform Measures Improve Worker Safety, Enhance Competitiveness, Foster Job Creation for Small Businesses - July 11, 2005

• Cosponsor Four OSHA Reform Bills to Improve Worker Safety, Promote Fairness for Small Businesses - February 8, 2005

Committee Hearings and Markups:

• On April 27, 2006, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on "Examining the Use of Non-Consensus Standards in Workplace Health and Safety" - Opening Statements and Witness Testimony

• On May 12, 2005, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing "Examining Voluntary Employer Compliance Programs that Improve Occupational Safety and Health" - Opening Statements and Witness Testimony

• On April 13, 2005, the Full Committee held a markup of the following bills:

  • H.R. 739, Occupational Safety and Health Small Business Day in Court Act, was ordered favorably reported by a vote of 27-19.
  • H.R. 740, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Efficiency Act, was ordered favorably reported, as amended, by a vote of 27-19
  • H.R. 741, Occupational Safety and Health Independent Review of OSHA Citations Act, was ordered favorably reported, as amended, by a vote of 27-19
  • H.R. 742, Occupational Safety and Health Small Employer Access to Justice Act, was ordered favorably reported by a vote of 27-18.

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Click HERE for information on this issue in the 108th Congress (2003-2004)