DownEast American Industrial Hygiene Association
News from Mike Sauda: 1/29/07
In the fall of 2005, I was appointed by Maine Governor John Baldacci to fill an unexpired term on the Maine Board of Occupational Health and Safety (BOSH). BOSH was established in 1975 by Maine statute to develop and adopt reasonable rules that promote safe and healthy working conditions for Maine public sector workers.
As most recognize, OSHA does not have jurisdiction over state or municipal workers under federal statute. Maine determined a need for the protections provided by OSHA for Maine’s public sector. In fact, many of the rules and standards adopted by BOSH are the federal OSHA standards.
BOSH consists of 10 members representing public employers (3), public employees (3), a Maine licensed workers compensation insurance company (1), the general public (2) and the Director of the Bureau of Labor Standards. Members are all volunteers (with the exception of the Director of BLS).
I am asked what it is like to be a member of BOSH and I always liken it to committee work or serving on a jury. The committee has very talented people with differing viewpoints on how to ensure Maine’s public workforce is afforded a safe and health workplace. We all share and discuss viewpoints with the goal of determining an outcome or an approach.
BOSH also is the point where public agencies may appeal penalties or results of enforcement inspections. The committee listens to the facts from both the agency and the inspectors to determine whether to uphold or change the citations or penalties.
I find my service to the State of Maine both professionally and personally rewarding. The process gives a higher level view of public policy and the challenges associated with its creation and application.
Michael D. Sauda, CSP