[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE 
                       AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 1998

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of HR 2864--
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Compliance Assistance 
Authorization Act of 1997.
  This bill has received a wide range of support because it is a good 
bill. Supporters include the AFL-CIO, the chamber of commerce, the 
coalition on occupational safety and health, the National Federation of 
Independent Business (NFIB), as well as the Clinton administration.
  The safety of our workers is an issue in which this Congress can not 
afford to play partisan politics. That is why I am encouraged that this 
bill has received strong bipartisan support.
  The mission of OSHA is to save lives, prevent injuries and protect 
the health of the American worker. Federal and state workers across 
this country are working together in partnerships with more than 100 
million working men and women.
  Everyone who works in this country comes under the jurisdiction of 
OSHA, with a few exceptions (such as miners, transportation workers, 
many public employees, and the self employed).
  According to OSHA, its state partners, along with OSHA, has 
approximately 2,100 inspectors, plus complaint discrimination 
investigators, engineers, physicians, educators, standards writers, and 
other technical and support personnel spread over more than 200 offices 
throughout the country. This staff is charged with establishing 
protective standards, enforcing those standards and reaching out to 
employers and employees through technical assistance and consultation 
programs.
  This bill supports our nation's small businesses. It supports small 
businesses that seek to improve the safety of their workers. This bill 
codifies OSHA's consultation program for small business. Codifying an 
OSHA consultation program was one of the recommendations of the 1995 
White House Conference on Small Business.
  Through OSHA's consultation program, funds are available to states to 
provide on-site consultations in safety. Additionally, other education 
and training in occupational safety and health programs are available 
for smaller employers in higher hazardous industries.
  Consultation programs are a big key to providing adequate and 
effective safety and health advice to businesses. Expanding support for 
these programs has been one of the goals for OSHA in its reinvention 
effort. According to OSHA, employers who want help in setting up safety 
and health programs correcting hazards at no cost, penalty free. 
However, the employer must agree to correct any serious hazard.
  Additionally, smaller employers with more serious hazardous 
operations may receive priority for the service, which is largely 
funded by OSHA and delivered by professional safety and health 
consultants who work for state government agencies and universities.
  In Texas, the consultation program has proven most effective. 
According to OSHA, KLN Steel Products in San Antonio, Texas, which 
manufactures fabricated structural steel items, has been an active 
participant in OSHA's Consultation Program for 3 years. Because of the 
consultation program, the company estimates that it has saved more than 
$50,000 in workers' compensation insurance premiums. Additionally, the 
lost work days has dropped dramatically.
  The demands for consultation services are high and reflect the 
genuine interest of businesses to provide a safe and healthy workplace 
for their employees. This bill helps both the employer and the 
employee.
  There is no doubt that this bill will help OSHA in fulfilling its 
mission to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of 
America's workers.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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