Although more than 55,000 workers die annually from job hazards and more than seven million are injured each year, a new Bill, H.R. 1834, introduced by Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-NC), chairman of the House Workforce Protection Subcommittee, proposes to eliminate MSHA, and NIOSH and make major changes to OSHA.

Highlights of H.R. 1834:

• Repeal of NIOSH, the federal agency that conducts occupational safety and health research.
• Repeal of the Mine Safety and Health Act and elimination of the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
• Removal of workers right to file a complaint with OSHA about job hazards unless the employer is informed first, even if the worker faces imminent danger and the likelihood of retribution.
• Removal of the right of unions to file complaints on behalf of their members and elimination of the right of workers to participate when employers contest a citation.
• Permits a deferral from OSHA inspections if employers have their own in-house safety program.
• Requires risk assessments and cost benefit analysis of any new regulation.
• Requires OSHA to spend more than 50 percent of its funding on non-enforcement activities.
• Prevents OSHA from enforcing the safety rules unless a worker is killed or hospitalized.

You can download H.R. 1834 by clicking here.

To send mail to the sponsor of HR1834 click here: CASSMAIL@HR.HOUSE.GOV