OSHA Reform

Support OSHA Reform that Promotes a Safe and Healthy Work Environment for the Construction Industry and Provides Protections for Small Businesses

Background:

  • Congress increasingly focuses on occupational health and safety regulations and requirements on employers, specifically in the construction industry. Congress has attempted to extend the OSH Act's coverage to State, municipal, and other non-covered private-sector employees, as well as to create enhanced penalties and criminal sanctions for employer non-compliance.

AGC Message:

  • Support the promotion of a safe and health workforce. AGC has long led the way in improving safety on the worksite and ensuring the safety and health of the construction workforce. Business working together with the Administration and Congress is a very positive and proactive approach to obtaining the goal of increased safety and health on the worksite. The "carrot and the stick" approach is a balanced way of trying to achieve more safety. The majority of employers seeks to improve safety and health on jobsites and should be recognized for their efforts, while egregious violators of occupational safety and health regulations do need to be penalized.
  • Oppose efforts, both on the legislative as well as the regulatory side, that seek only to punish employers. By working with employers to set examples and assist compliance efforts for small businesses to keep their employees safe, the industry will continue to improve safety and health on jobsites. AGC encourages the continuation of OSHA's Cooperative Programs and opposes efforts that punish employers through punitive measures.