OSHA Deform: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed four bills that rolled back OSHA protections. The same four bills were passed last year, but never went anywhere in the Senate. Occupational Hazards' Jim Nash says the situation may be changing in the Senate this year:

The Senate OSHA oversight subcommittee has a new chairman, Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and he is a former House colleague of Norwood.

"The fact that Sen. Isakson is a former sponsor of these bills enhances their chance of passage," commented Art Sapper, an attorney at McDermott, Will & Emery, who has testified at Congressional hearings on the legislation.

Asked if Isakson plans to consider the OSHA legislation, a spokesperson responded that the senator intends to work with Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, on "an OSHA reform package that will include Congressman Norwood's proposals." The plan is to roll out the package in July, although the timetable is flexible.

Let's keep those phone numbers and e-mail addresses handy.