New Bill Will Expand OSHA's Authority, But Not Solutions
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 10:49AM A new OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) bill that will allow OSHA inspectors, among other things, to order a work stoppage until a hazzard is properly addressed is being rapidly pushed forward by Democrats in Congress. H.R. 5663, the “Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010” will also:
- extend whistleblower protections to cover employees who choose not to work because they believe the threat of impairment or injury is imminent; and
- impose felony criminal sanctions against any company officer or director for “knowing” violations of the Act.
The House Education and Labor Committee is having a hearing next Tuesday, with a bill mark-up possible by the end of next week.
IEC of Idaho will be signing a letter currently being prepared by the Coalition for Workplace Safety to be sent to all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives prior to Tuesday’s hearing.
For more information please refer to a briefing sheet covering the issue.
IEC of Idaho
The attached letter was sent to all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives prior to Tuesday’s hearing.
IEC of Idaho
House Education and Labor Committee Chairman, George Miller (D-CA), held a hearing on H.R. 5663, legislation which designed to “reform” the Mine Safety and Health Administration, while at the same time ratcheting up the enforcement and penalties through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
This legislation will likely be voted on this week by the full House of Representatives. Your Representative needs to hear from you about your concerns with H.R. 5663. Please visit www.IECVotes.com to contact your Representative today.
The OSHA section of H.R. 5663 incorporates provisions from the Protecting America’s Workers Act, including:
- allowing OSHA inspectors to order a work stoppage until a hazard is properly addressed;
- extend whistleblower protections to cover employees who choose not to work because they believe the threat of impairment or injury is imminent;
- imposing felony criminal sanctions against any company officer or director for “knowing” violations of the Act.
This enforcement-heavy approach, along with the Obama Administration’s clear movement away from cooperative programs, was best summed up by OSHA Administrator, David Michaels, when he stated, “Nothing gets an employer’s attention like the possibility of jail time.”