Is OH&S Really Be A Priority?
For all of the talk during the campaign about the increased efforts in occupational heatlh and safety, there sure doesn't seem to be any action. OH&S professionals were hoping the new administration would not only focus a little more on OH&S, but perhaps even make it a high priority. Yet here we are in mid-March and not even a peep out of the administration about who might lead OSHA, MSHA or NIOSH. And don't let anyone tell you that the administration is showing its commitment by increasing funding for OSHA and NIOSH in the 09 omnibus bill that just passed. If someone says this, then ask them why earmarks were left in? The administration said this bill was last year's bill so they sure better not take credit for the increase in OSHA and NIOSH funding. But I'll wait and see the commitment for 2010 before we make any final judgments.