[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 126 (Tuesday, August 1, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H8075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     A 25-PERCENT REDUCTION IN OSHA BUDGET IS UNKIND AND DANGEROUS

  (Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, among the unkindest cuts for 
working men and women was the 25-percent reduction to the National 
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. I suppose some Members 
have never heard of NIOSH. Neither has the Heritage Foundation which 
mistakenly reported that NIOSH duplicated the functions of OSHA--the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
  NIOSH is the only Federal agency charged with conducting research to 
identify the causes of work injuries and diseases and develop 
approaches by which workers can be protected. OSHA does not conduct 
research, although they rely on it.
  Every day 17 Americans die from work injuries and illnesses. Every 
week 67,000 workers are disabled by workplace injuries and illnesses.
  What is more disappointing is the fact that most of these illnesses 
and injuries are preventable. Many problems still exist in the 
workplace and need to be researched.
  In 1991, NIOSH eased public concern over an unknown hazard. At that 
time, there were over 7 million women operating video display terminals 
[VDT's] and there had been widespread concern that the cause of the 
highly publicized clusters of miscarriages among workers were caused 
because of exposure to VDT's.
  But thanks to NIOSH, these stories have happy endings. NIOSH 
published the definitive report that found no connection between VDT's 
and miscarriages. The NIOSH relieved anxiety of both employers and 
workers.

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