A new bill introduced to the House of Representatives
As of January 3rd, Andy Biggs, a federal House Representative of Arizona (R), brought forth a straightforward and simple bill to the US House of Representatives. It's dubbed H.R 86, 'NOSHA' (Nullify Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and it's designed to do just that: nullify and shutter OSHA.
Biggs has tried to justify the proposal to do away with OSHA by claiming that states could individually enact their own workplace safety regulations that are more tailored to the state's unique environment. He has also expressed frustration in the past, particularly when OSHA mandated COVID vaccines in many workplaces during the pandemic, believing it to be gross overreach.
It's already receiving backlash from people on both sides of aisle. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the loudest protests are from people who are employed in labor-intensive careers like mining, logging, industry, and other such jobs. Jobs involving manual labor stand to lose a lot should OSHA be dissolved.
OSHA's work and duties
OSHA is responsible for setting enforceable guidelines and restrictions around workplace safety, and are there to guard any watchdogs against potential retaliation from the workplaces for which they're raising red flags. In short, the administration helps employees avoid injury and retribution from their employers.
States are also able to enact their own workplace safety laws, which have potential to be even more stringent than those imposed by OSHA. This does often happen, but usually only at the behest of state lawmakers who show interest in the area.
That said, plenty of states have workplace safety standards that are in fact the bare minimum required by OSHA, too. Who's to say that they'd keep those regulations around if it weren't federally mandated?
This is a blog centered around climate change. Why mention OSHA here?
Some of OSHA's guidelines have to do with environmental standards of the workplace, including heat, flood preparedness, air quality, fire safety, and hazardous weather preparation, to name a few.
So, should OSHA be shuttered, it couldn't come at a worse time, as all such aspects of workplace safety will be affected by the climate crisis.
OSHA recommends indoor air temperatures to be between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It also advises at which temperatures that outdoor work becomes hazardous, and has recently suggested that there be limits to outdoor work when it's more than 80F (which Biggs has also whined about in a YouTube video). Clearly, with a warming climate, the amount of high-heat days will only increase, especially in Biggs' home state of Arizona.
Climate change will also likely boost the severity of floods, wildfires, and severe weather events as the planet warms. Meaning the atmosphere can sustain the energy needed to power things like hurricanes and rainstorms, and impose prime conditions for wildfires.
If OSHA is not there to oversee worker protections, and states become lax with regard to their workplace safety regulations, those on the frontlines of our vital industries will be increasingly vulnerable to neglectful employers and worsening conditions.
Just when I was wondering about connecting OSHA with climate change - zoom right to the very important point! The reason that the government finally stepped in to help protect workers is that for generations there were terrible health and safety issues in work places and many companies did not address them.
ReplyDeleteIt seems OSHA is crucial to workers in the manual labor realm, taking away the standardization would not be good. I liked how you connected this to climate; many things have unknowing connections.
ReplyDeleteMy question is why is Biggs proposing a bill that will ultimately nullify OSHA. I have a hard time understanding why leaders of our countries and states are purposely proposing bills that can have serious negative consequences in general.
ReplyDeleteIt's usually down to special interests and lobbying grounds advocating for deregulation, and/or a serious lack of empathy and understanding of working-class folks. It's especially ironic to me that a Rep of one of the hottest states in the US is against standardized workplace safety. Wish I could sit down and ask him about these things because I'm curious too!
DeleteOSHA has been an important foundation in workplace safety for years and I can't see what good dismantling it would do. I feel like the relationship between OSHA and climate change is important as we need to start building eco-friendly and disaster resistant housing and infrastructure in places better habitable than those already severely impacted by climate change.
ReplyDeleteThis is very fascinating, as it brings up a major point about power checks and balances, and who gets to decide how the economy runs. OSHA regulations are necessary to ensure workers have the right to maintain their physical and mental health in the workplace. When the world heats up beyond our ability to tolerate it, and no safety guidelines are in place, I am certain we would lose valuable human lives. I sincerely hope this rampage of defunding and leaving important organizations and agreements ends now.
ReplyDeleteIt’s interesting and frustrating that Biggs has a history of opposing workplace safety measures, especially regarding heat regulations. Given Arizona’s rising temperatures, you’d think protecting workers from extreme heat would be a priority.
ReplyDeleteRight? But alas, the disconnect between the working class and those in power is ever greater. Wish that Biggs would step outside of his AC'd office and try working construction once and a while.
DeleteWith rising temperatures already taking place, it is important that the people working outside are protected. OSHA has a big part in this and help make sure that workers are not taken advantage of.
ReplyDeleteOSHA is a key player in making sure that workers are being taken care of and keeping the employers responsible. With the Climate warming and reaching record breaking temperatures got to make sure that people working outdoors stay safe.
ReplyDeleteGreat connection to OSHA and climate change, I always assumed the temperature was considered an uncontrollable working condition when working outside. Climate change is not only affecting our atmospheric climate but also work climates and social climates.
ReplyDeleteYep. Temps are generally uncontrollable, but there can be means to limit excessive heat, like planting trees in urban areas, allowing for awnings and tents in outdoor workplaces, mandatory water breaks, etc. Buuut that usually only happens when there's strong labor protections.
DeleteI have always wondered about the future of people who work outside. This is beyond just staying hydrated. This was a true eye opener
ReplyDeleteIt's looking rough for outdoor workers to be sure, even already in present day in some of our hottest states. I bet there will come a time when outdoor construction and the like will have to happen closer to dusk and early morning hours to avoid dangerous heat. It'll be interesting for sure.
DeleteDismantling OSHA is a huge concern. OSHA does so much in terms of protecting workers and keeping people safe while working on job sites. there is no reason for the workplace to be dangerous and lose one life simply from working there. Especially wth climate change, people can not be outside for that long with more damaging weather conditions.
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