- Sat. Jul 5, 2008
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Citing a rising number of worker fatalities, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Edward Kennedy said Tuesday that Congress needs to focus on worker safety and strengthening the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
A HELP Democratic staff report issued Tuesday said that 5,480 workers were killed on the job in 2006, a number rising since 2002. "OSHA lacks both the legal resources and the enforcement rigor to stem this rising tide," the report said.
"The report's findings demonstrate serious flaws in our health and safety laws and OSHA's enforcement of them," Kennedy said. "Congress needs to close the gaps in the law, strengthen its provisions and insist on strong enforcement by OSHA."
Kennedy is promoting legislation he introduced last year increase civil and criminal penalties to encourage employers to take stronger safety steps.
HELP ranking member Michael Enzi said more work needs to be done to prevent fatalities but called for more emphasis on prevention of injuries and death. "Let's take a look at the best practices out there and determine how these programs can be translated to the federal level," said Enzi.
The report compared OSHA penalties to other federal violations. While the maximum penalty for willful violations that cause a death is six months, shooting a migratory bird illegally or importing a prohibited exotic bird could bring two years in prison. Counterfeiting carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence and mail fraud calls for 30 years in prison.
OSHA can levy a maximum $70,000 fine, while the Commerce Department can fine a violator of the South Pacific Tuna Act $325,000.
And the Agriculture Department can assess a $130,000 penalty for violating the Fluid Milk Promotion Act.
Kennedy said OSHA officials settle most fines with employers with the median final penalty in death cases $3,675 -- 38 percent lower than OSHA inspectors originally recommended.
4/30/2008 AM Contents
- Old Bill Might Carry War Funds Measure
- FDA: Millions More Needed For Inspections
- White House Threatens To Veto FAA Reauthorization Bill
- Dems Seek To Engage Administration In Battle Over Torture
- Blue Dogs Get Deal With Spratt, Conrad On Point Of Order
- Key Farm Bill Negotiators Say They Have Closed The Deal
- Senate Names Conferees To Consumer Health Conference
- Dodd Jumps Into The Fray With Bill To Curb Card Abuses
- DOD Procurement Delays, Cost Overruns Rile Lawmakers
- GAO: EPA Process For Rating Industrial Chemicals Poses Risk
- Tauscher Urges NATO To Spend More On Missile Defenses
- In Wake Of Bush Comments, Everyone's Got A Proposal
- White House Forces Resignation Of Embattled GSA Chief
- Reid Offers White House A Proposal To End FEC Stalemate
- Senate Panel Considers Whether OSHA Has Tools It Needs
- Cabinet Secretaries Urge Full Funding Of America Competes
- Advocates Urge More Funding For Homeless Youth
PEOPLE
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES
HILL BRIEFS
- Wide Range Of Cost Hikes Seen With Lieberman-Warner
- Head Of Fannie Mae Sees Slump Until 2010
- AARP Outlines Priorities For FY09 Appropriations
