Washington – The Department of Labor could protect the safety and health of workers more effectively with better evaluations of its enforcement programs, according to a report from the DOL Office of Inspector General.
Issued Nov. 15, the report (.pdf file) suggests OSHA should ensure its Severe Violator Enforcement Program is operating as intended, and the agency should improve its efforts in evaluating the impact of penalty reductions. OIG also recommended that OSHA compare State Plan programs’ effectiveness in protecting workers to the effectiveness of federal OSHA.
Likewise, the Mine Safety and Health Administration should work toward completing all required inspections, finalize its proposed pattern-of-violations regulations, and collaborate with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission to reduce the time spent resolving contested cases.
The report also covered 10 other challenges facing DOL, including improving the management of workers’ compensation programs.
