Appropriations subcommittee boosts OSHA funding

A House subcommittee appropriations bill proposes increasing (.pdf file) OSHA's fiscal year 2011 budget by $21 million from the current fiscal year.

The House Appropriations Committee's Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee would provide OSHA a budget of $580 million for FY 2011, a $7 million boost from the agency's $573 million request. The funding would return OSHA's enforcement capacity to 2001 levels, according to a statement (.pdf file) from Rep. Dave Obey (D-WI), the subcommittee chairman.

The bill includes a requirement that OSHA establish a standard addressing the safe handling of natural gas -- a response to recent fatal explosions. It also provides $368 million in funding for the Mine Safety and Health Administration -- $7 million more than the FY 2011 request -- and $14 million for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission ($1 million more than requested).

The bill moves to the full House Appropriations Committee.