This audio is automatically generated. Do us know if you have comments.
The new legislation designed to eliminate the Osha at the federal level will not advance, said an employment lawyer at Construction Dive.
The representative Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Last month proposed the Annul the Occupational Health and Safety Actsomething that would abolish the 1970 occupational health and safety law that created Osha.
Biggs introduced similar legislation in 2021, which stopped after it referred to the Education and Work Committee of the House.
“Osha’s existence is another example of the Federal Government Creator Agencies To address issues that are most appropriately managed by state governments and private entrepreneurs, “Biggs said in a statement in 2021.
Phillip Russell, Tampa, Florida, Osha and Labor Lawyer, of Ogletree Deakins, said that the new bill will not happen, as Osha plays a vital role in the safety of the workplace.
“I think this has had zero possibility that this thing has ever seen the day’s light,” Russell said. “I think the agency plays an important role, but it only has to be more focused, it must remain within its legal authority and must be effective.”
When asked if he thought President Donald Trump could support the bill, Russell said, “I really don’t know. There have been so many surprises.”
Although Trump supported it, Russell said, Republicans should get rid of the filibuster in the Senate, which is not so likely.
Rule changes
However, the Trump Administration has carried out other actions in recent days that could affect the agency, such as pausing and attempts to cut off the offs and agencies.
On January 20, Trump published a Memory by directing executive agencies Stop proposing or issuing rules until a head of department designated by the President can review and approve.
Also immediately removed the rules that have been sent to the Federal Register Office But they have not yet been published, according to a publication on the blog of February 4 of Ogletree Dakins.
Due to these movements, it seems that the directive stops the implementation of the agency’s heat injuries and diseases, according to Oglee Deakins. Already issued updates such as The rule of walkaround and a standard of construction Require well -fitted personal protection equipment Remain in force, the block said.
It Pause in the rule of heat disease “It’s not surprise,” Russell told Construction Dive.
Osha’s open comments for the heat rule closed on December 30, and Russell said it can take months to review the comments. Trump’s return to White House means the rule will never come into effect. On January 31, an executive order of Trump directed the agencies to identify -Ne 10 Rules or regulations to repeal Each time they want to issue a new one.
“I don’t think you will feel so strongly about this standard of particular heat disease, especially in the light of these public comments that opposed it,” Russell said.
President’s candidate for the Department of Labor, Lori Chavez-Deremer, is waiting for confirmation and no new Osha chief has been named, but Russell said he doubts that any chosen person would choose to get rid of 10 rules to make Reality the standard of heat.
Reduction of the count
The Trump team has tried to reduce the count to the federal agencies by offering federal workers a purchase. Many agencies employees had the option of giving up their job last Thursday in exchange for leaving -paying to the end of September.
A federal judge in Boston has it temporarily stopped this purchaseReported Reuters. However, it is clear that it reflects Trump’s intention to reduce the federal labor force.
Trump, meanwhile, has forced federal workers to return to their offices, ending Covid’s policies that offer more remote or hybrid options. Russell said that the return to the post and a reduction in federal workforce could be positive for Osha.
“I think this could substantially help the development of some of the new officers of compliance,” Russell said about the policy of return to the officer. “Maybe the efforts to make the agency more lean will become more focused.”
