AIHA Press Release
AIHA Offers Support and Suggestions for OSHA Reform Legislation
AIHA provides extensive comments on two bills introduced by Sen. Michael Enzi
FAIRFAX, VA — The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) sent letters to Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, offering comment on two bills from his long-awaited package of occupational health and safety legislation. AIHA sees the "Occupational Safety Partnership Act" (S. 2065) and the "HazCom Simplification and Modernization Act of 2005" (S. 2067) as an opportunity to make valuable changes in the way the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enhances and promotes worker health and safety in the United States.
S. 2065 would create a third-party workplace review program. The concept, which has been supported by AIHA for several years, would allow employers to hire qualified third party occupational health and safety personnel to review a workplace. If the review were positive, employers would receive exemption from assessment of any civil penalty for a period of two years.
As noted in AIHA’s comments, there are more than 6 million workplaces under OSHA jurisdiction, but only approximately 2,000 compliance officers in the agency’s federal and state programs. A 2004 General Accounting Office report stated, "Using consultants could leverage existing OSHA resources by helping workplaces that might never otherwise see an OSHA inspector, especially small employers, and possibly also by enabling employers to address additional safety and health issues that might not be covered under an OSHA inspection for compliance standards."
In addition to detailed comments on the various aspects of the program as outlined in the bill, AIHA offered additional suggestions to increase support for the third-party review concept among industry and labor. The association proposed that the program be established as a two-year pilot program, limited to two or three states, with a focus on small businesses. AIHA also suggested the formation of a special advisory committee to assist the Secretary of Labor with the establishment and implementation of the program.
With regard to the other sections of S. 2065, AIHA offered its support for codification of the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) and programs to expand small business participation in VPP. The association also supported an increase in assistance to small businesses through increased funding for consultation programs and the implementation of a pilot program to enhance future assistance. In addition, AIHA supports efforts to encourage continuing education and professional certification for OSHA personnel, as well as the development and implementation of a training and education exchange program for OSHA and industry.
Concerning S. 2067, AIHA offered its support for the development of model material safety data sheets (MSDSs) that would comply with the requirements of OSHA’s hazard communication standard and would be made available to the public. The association also encourages the establishment of a commission to consider and make recommendations to Congress on whether or not to adopt the U.N. Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). AIHA sees S. 2067 as a way to improve communication of procedures for handling hazardous substances.
AIHA is keenly interested in the issues surrounding MSDSs because they are essential tools in the protection of employees exposed to chemical hazards in the workplace. Members of several of AIHA’s expert committees have extensive experience and direct involvement with the technical and policy issues regarding MSDSs. Many are involved in the development or review of MSDSs for their employees.
With regard to both of Sen. Enzi’s bills, AIHA offers to assist Congress in any way possible in the development of legislation that will best protect workers.
The full text of AIHA’s letters is available at www.aiha.org under "Government Affairs." For more information regarding AIHA’s comments to Sen. Enzi or other questions concerning AIHA Government Affairs, please contact Aaron Trippler, AIHA director of government affairs, at (703) 846-0730 or atrippler@aiha.org.
Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of industrial hygiene and occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. AIHA’s 12,000 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government and academia.
AIHA Offers Support and Suggestions for OSHA Reform Legislation
AIHA provides extensive comments on two bills introduced by Sen. Michael Enzi
FAIRFAX, VA — The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) sent letters to Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, offering comment on two bills from his long-awaited package of occupational health and safety legislation. AIHA sees the "Occupational Safety Partnership Act" (S. 2065) and the "HazCom Simplification and Modernization Act of 2005" (S. 2067) as an opportunity to make valuable changes in the way the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enhances and promotes worker health and safety in the United States.
S. 2065 would create a third-party workplace review program. The concept, which has been supported by AIHA for several years, would allow employers to hire qualified third party occupational health and safety personnel to review a workplace. If the review were positive, employers would receive exemption from assessment of any civil penalty for a period of two years.
As noted in AIHA’s comments, there are more than 6 million workplaces under OSHA jurisdiction, but only approximately 2,000 compliance officers in the agency’s federal and state programs. A 2004 General Accounting Office report stated, "Using consultants could leverage existing OSHA resources by helping workplaces that might never otherwise see an OSHA inspector, especially small employers, and possibly also by enabling employers to address additional safety and health issues that might not be covered under an OSHA inspection for compliance standards."
In addition to detailed comments on the various aspects of the program as outlined in the bill, AIHA offered additional suggestions to increase support for the third-party review concept among industry and labor. The association proposed that the program be established as a two-year pilot program, limited to two or three states, with a focus on small businesses. AIHA also suggested the formation of a special advisory committee to assist the Secretary of Labor with the establishment and implementation of the program.
With regard to the other sections of S. 2065, AIHA offered its support for codification of the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) and programs to expand small business participation in VPP. The association also supported an increase in assistance to small businesses through increased funding for consultation programs and the implementation of a pilot program to enhance future assistance. In addition, AIHA supports efforts to encourage continuing education and professional certification for OSHA personnel, as well as the development and implementation of a training and education exchange program for OSHA and industry.
Concerning S. 2067, AIHA offered its support for the development of model material safety data sheets (MSDSs) that would comply with the requirements of OSHA’s hazard communication standard and would be made available to the public. The association also encourages the establishment of a commission to consider and make recommendations to Congress on whether or not to adopt the U.N. Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). AIHA sees S. 2067 as a way to improve communication of procedures for handling hazardous substances.
AIHA is keenly interested in the issues surrounding MSDSs because they are essential tools in the protection of employees exposed to chemical hazards in the workplace. Members of several of AIHA’s expert committees have extensive experience and direct involvement with the technical and policy issues regarding MSDSs. Many are involved in the development or review of MSDSs for their employees.
With regard to both of Sen. Enzi’s bills, AIHA offers to assist Congress in any way possible in the development of legislation that will best protect workers.
The full text of AIHA’s letters is available at www.aiha.org under "Government Affairs." For more information regarding AIHA’s comments to Sen. Enzi or other questions concerning AIHA Government Affairs, please contact Aaron Trippler, AIHA director of government affairs, at (703) 846-0730 or atrippler@aiha.org.
Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of industrial hygiene and occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. AIHA’s 12,000 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government and academia.
Labels: OSHA
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