OIG releases semiannual report

Washington – The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General released its semiannual report (.pdf file) to Congress May 31, highlighting results from audits conducted during a six-month period.

The report covers the period of Oct. 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and includes highlights from the following audits:

• OSHA determining (.pdf file) whether State Plans were “at least as effective” in improving workplace safety and health as federal OSHA programs
• Whistleblower protection program complaints (.pdf file)
• Extended analysis of MSHA pattern of significant and substantial violation rates (.pdf file)
• MSHA’s controls over contracting (.pdf file)

OIG also listed some “significant concerns,” including OSHA’s ability to effectively target resources and measure the agency’s own efforts. An audit (.pdf file) released Sept. 30, 2010, found OSHA has not effectively evaluated the penalty reductions it rewards as incentives to reduce occupational hazards.

Another area of concern noted in the report was the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s “weak oversight, inadequate policies, and a lack of accountability.” In an audit released Sept. 29, 2010, OIG found (.pdf file) MSHA has never successfully used its pattern-of-violations authority in 32 years.