Occupational Safety and Health

Abstract

The 2002 elections put worker health and safety in a deep hole. The administration's core strategy on safety and health wraps vague, moderate rhetoric around hard-right policies which cater to the most anti-worker factions of the business community. The first significant act of the Bush administration in the labor arena, in March 2001, was signing business-sponsored legislation to wipe out the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) ergonomic standard. The administration also proposed to cut OSHA-funded worker training and standard-setting, appointed the organizer of the business anti-ergonomics campaign as solicitor of labor, and proposed deep budget cuts for worker training and standard-setting, while maintaining industry friendly assistance programs. Specific to the United Auto Workers (UAW), OSHA withdrew its announced effort to set a new standard for metalworking fluids, as well as many other new standards. Soon after these actions, the Senate changed hands and we were able to stop the bleeding. But as a result of the 2002 elections, conservatives control the entire Congress and will try these attacks all over again.