Occupational Safety and Health

In light of congressional consideration of H.R. 3160, the Comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Reform Act, GAO testified on the value of comprehensive safety and health programs for U.S. workers. Although inconclusive, available information--including the views of enforcement officials, employers, and employee representatives--suggests that such programs can improve safety and health at the worksite. GAO found that reservations about requiring employers to have such programs arose primarily from concerns about program implementation rather than program worth. On the basis of its review of experiences in states requiring such programs, GAO believes that implementation problems can be overcome. Many employers are already required to have written prevention programs for specific workplace hazards, suggesting that safety and health programs may require little additional effort. Still, some uncertainty remains about the difficulties employers in various sized firms and different industries would have in implementing required programs. While data limitations preclude GAO from recommending that such programs be required for all employers, available information suggests that potential reductions in fatalities, injuries, and illnesses would likely justify any additional burden associated with implementing these programs, at least for high-risk employers--those with high injury rates and a history of safety and health violations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration needs to collect enough information on program implementation experiences to determine if the requirements should be extended to other employers.