Scenario
Given that one is the current MNOSHA (Minnesota OSHA) director and there is a need to determine the most appropriate approach to the state’s worker safety and health for the next 4 years. Two alternative courses of action are provided, of which pros and cons of each alternative would be detailed as follows:
Alternative A: set an aggressive enforcement agenda, focusing on inspections and fines
Pros:
- Increased revenues for OSHA to be generated from the increased imposition of penalties
and fines ;
- Organizations would increasingly be vigilant and cognizant of the need to abide and
comply with safety standards proposed by OSHA to avoid fines;
- Workers would be greatly ensured to be protected through emphasizing strict adherence
Cons:
- Could be an avenue for demotivating organizations to be proactive in enforcing OSHA
regulations since policies are designed based on sanctions; rather than rewards or
acknowledgment for conformity to standards;
- Workers who could be found to be the source of violations for inability to follow
standards could likewise be made by the employers to share the payment for
penalties imposed;
- Employers could be more strict in designing policies and regulations, at the detriment of
workers, to prevent being sanctioned or fined;
- Employers could just opt to pay fines; rather than design and enforce OSHA standards
which could be tedious and which appears to be more costly to implement in the long run.
Alternative B: set an agenda based on outreach and education of employers
Pros:
- This alternative is more positively designed and could be perceived as a more
encouraging strategy to promote safety and health in the long run;
- This alternative is supportive of the previous law and regulations proposed by OSHA
which stipulates the employer’s joint responsibility to provide a healthy environment through availing of OSHA’s “training, outreach, education and assistance”
Cons:
- Could be ineffective due to the lack of stringent sanctions for violations of standards;
- Could be time consuming and costly for both employers and workers who need to be regularly updated and trained on the standards, rules, and regulations proposed by OSHA;
- Could also be time consuming and costly on the part of OSHA personnel who should always promote education through outreach programs on a regular basis .
Works Cited
Actio Corporation. "OSHA enforcement rises, GHS deadlines loom." 2013. actio.net. http://www.actio.net/default/index.cfm/actio-blog/oshas-aggressive-enforcement-as-ghs-deadline-looms/. 29 September 2013.
OSHA. "OSHA Law & Regulations." n.d. osha.gov. https://www.osha.gov/law-regs.html. 29 September 2013.
—. "OSHA Outreach Training Program FAQs." n.d. osha.gov. https://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/faqs.html. 29 September 2013.
