The 25th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for Joe Dear and Linda Rosenstock, who head the two agencies created by the legislation in 1970. Budget cuts, government shutdowns and reform hearings in Congress have put OSHA and NIOSH in a funk. A good party is just what they need. And some good press surrounding the event won’t hurt, either.
OSHA and NIOSH officials want to publicize the silver anniversary to the max: They’ll invite some 300 guests to an all-day celebration at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum in Washington, D.C., April 29th, and hope to garner lots of media attention leading up to the bash. Budgets being tight, neither agency can afford to splurge. But with the budget battle still being fought, nor can they afford to pass up the chance for free press. So don’t be surprised if OSHA’s birthday makes it onto the morning talk shows you watch and op-ed pages you read this month: "We plan to hype it," says OSHA spokesperson Cheryl Byrne.