Washington Update

OSHA’s August release of its proposed rule on crystalline silica came after more than two years of White House review – something that may have set a worrisome precedent.

OSHA faced one particularly eventful week this past summer, as over the course of several days the agency found itself pressured by different groups to take action on certain hazards.

Many of us learn from a young age that cooperation and trust are keys to achieving our goals. The Chemical Safety Board operates in much the same way.

Protecting workers can be a difficult task, but a workforce that changes and moves makes the job even harder. Unfortunately that is the challenge facing OSHA when it comes to temporary workers.

When a tragedy occurs, it’s natural to ask questions. Why did it occur? Could it have been stopped? Whose fault was it? Following the deaths of...

For a bill to become law, it must pass both houses of Congress and be signed by the president. However, if a bill is not passed within two years, or a single congressional session, the process must start all over again.

In late 2011, a bill was signed into law providing an incentive for legislators to reach across the aisle and come to an agreement on how to reduce the deficit. If no agreement was reached, the bill would implement across-the-board cuts to both military funding and discretionary funding, which covers government agencies such as OSHA.

Recent comments from assistant OSHA administrator Jordan Barab indicate that he believes OSHA enforcement can lead to a safer workplace, despite a lack of supporting evidence. While many experts agree OSHA can have a positive effect on workplace safety, they disagree as to how large of a role the agency plays in doing so.