What can you tell us so far about the Trump administration’s record on worker safety? Already we’ve seen the Trump administration repeal two important workplace safety rules. They’ve proposed the elimination of funding for worker safety and health training programs. They’ve proposed the elimination of the Chemical Safety Board. And they’ve proposed slashing the job safety research budget.
The man rumored to be a possible contender for the post of Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA under the Trump administration has suggested that some safety and health regulations should be subject to sunset provisions –terminated at the end of a fixed period unless they are formally renewed.
OSHA’s recent decision to delay the effective date of its controversial beryllium exposure rule has generated a lot of attention in the industrial safety media, and rightly so. The beryllium rule is a perfect example of the government overreach that industry often highlights: policies made with good intentions that go beyond their stated goal.
When Congress gets back in session the week of April 24, some of the lawmakers’ top priorities will be to pass a 2017 budget and to confirm Alexander Acosta as Labor secretary.
Advocacy groups are angry over President Trump’s nomination last week of Neomi Rao for the post of administrator of the U.S. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), while a former OIRA chief is applauding the choice.
Reactions to OSHA’s decision to delay enforcing the federal standard reducing permissible exposure to silica dust have been mixed – and strong.
“With construction season underway, three months of delay means that millions of workers will be exposed to hazardous silica dust that will make them sick and take their lives,” said Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, co-executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NationalCOSH.org).
OSHA yesterday announced a delay in enforcement of the crystalline silica standard to September 23, 2017.
The rule, which applies to the construction industry, was originally scheduled to begin June 23, 2017.
The agency said the delay would enable it to conduct additional outreach and provide educational materials and guidance for employers.
President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to eliminate or reverse his predecessor’s efforts to combat climate change is driving the issue to a new arena: the state level.
Alexander Acosta has moved a step closer toward being confirmed U.S. Labor secretary after being approved last week by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
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