For over 50 years, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has been instrumental in protecting employees’ rights to a safe and healthy workplace.
Their efforts paid off. In 1970, there were 14,000 employee deaths. In 2018, that number had dropped to 5,250. Now, as part of the current administration’s efforts to eliminate waste in the government and reduce the number of regulations, one Congressman is calling for the elimination of OSHA.
We can’t depend on the employer
OSHA has three primary functions:
- Creating industry-specific safety standards
- Ensuring employers those standards through inspections and fines
- Providing resources and guidance for employers to educate and train staff to identify risks and be proactive in improving safety standards.
OSHA’s activities extend across nearly all industries, particularly high-risk sectors such as construction and healthcare.
Arizona Representative Andy Biggs has introduced legislation to abolish OSHA and leave workplace safety to be regulated at the state level and by private employers. Opponents argue that OSHA’s repeal would put workers at greater risk for injury. That argument has validity, as industries have tried to undercut OSHA’s efforts since its implementation.
Safety standards could be minimized, especially in competitive sectors. Employers may look to cut corners to reduce costs, which can result in unsafe working conditions. Workers will have increased exposure to hazards without proper training and protective equipment.
OSHA violations are often used as evidence in personal injury lawsuits involving workplace safety. Without OSHA oversight, employees injured due to unsafe working conditions may have difficulties proving employer negligence.
Employees also have whistleblower protections under OSHA that allow them to report unsafe working conditions without fear of retaliation. Eliminating OSHA will also eliminate those protections. This could discourage employees from speaking out due to fear of job loss.
If OSHA is eliminated, our nation’s workforce may be forced to choose between workplace safety and a paycheck. More than ever, it will be crucial to hold companies accountable for the injuries sustained by employees at work. An injured employee needs someone who will fight for them and get them the compensation they deserve.