The Department of Labor has officially proposed a rule which would change the way two agencies, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), calculate on-the-job risks. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao proposed the rule on Friday in spite of widespread opposition from occupational health advocates and some in Congress. (Click here to find more background on the controversy up to this point.)
Like the draft rule leaked to the media in July, the proposal would require OSHA and MSHA to issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for each and every occupational health standard they issue. Forcing OSHA and MSHA to give advanced notice of their intent to propose new health standards is unnecessary. The requirement would merely add another step to an already lengthy process.
posted 9/06/08
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