OSHA News

OSHA Withdraws Proposed Interpretation Related to Occupational Noise

On January 19th OSHA announced that it is withdrawing a proposal to expand the official interpretation of the term "feasible" in relation to occupational noise exposure standards.This is a proposal that NJECPAC has been monitoring since its introduction

OSHA intended to reinterpret the word “feasible” to mean “capable of being done,” meaning that the agency would be able to cite a company for not implementing administrative controls unless the company can demonstrate that implementing such controls would put them out of business or threaten the viability of their business. 

In a Dec. 13 letter to Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), co-chairs of the Senate Task Force on Manufacturing, expressed concerns that the expanded interpretation would force businesses into making expensive changes that would inhibit job creation. Snowe and Lieberman asked that OSHA consider alternative interpretations and unintended consequences of the proposal in addition to noting the lack of data to back up the proposed change. Read More

OSHA Reform Bill Not Sent to Floor for Vote

Due to the efforts of the small business community to educate Congress about the drastic effects the OSHA reform language included in the mine safety bill would have, House leadership has not sent the bill to the floor for a vote. The Legislation would have added severe criminal penaties for employer violations.

IEC and the Coalition for Workplace Safety (CWS) have continued their work must dispel the myth that employers only engage in workplace safety practices because the government forces them to do it.  IEC and CWS submitted letters citing our specific objections to H.R. 5663 prior to the House Education and Labor Committee hearing on July 13, 2010.  The CWS letter was signed onto by a broad array of employer groups, including groups representing nearly all fields in the construction industry, and all IEC Chapters. Read More  

Explore More at NJECPAC

To view IEC’s letter click here and to view the Coalition letter click here.