Bill Overview
Title: To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide for the expiration of emergency temporary standards after 6 months.
Description: This bill limits to six months the duration during which any emergency temporary standard published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration may remain in effect.
Sponsors: Rep. Cawthorn, Madison [R-NC-11]
Target Audience
Population: Workers impacted by OSHA regulations worldwide
Estimated Size: 160000000
- The bill affects how long emergency temporary standards related to occupational safety can be in effect.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations apply to workplaces, which means workers and employers will be impacted.
- Emergency temporary standards are typically implemented in response to urgent safety threats, often across multiple industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and construction.
- Workers, especially in industries that rely heavily on OSHA's emergency standards for safety, like healthcare, might be directly impacted by a reduction in the duration of these standards.
- Employers will be impacted as they will have to adjust compliance strategies based on shorter regulation periods.
Reasoning
- The policy will primarily affect industries where OSHA has significant influence, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and construction.
- Individuals working in these sectors may experience changes in workplace safety standards, which could affect their wellbeing.
- The estimation of self-reported wellbeing should include a cross-section of individuals: workers from high-impact industries, employers, and workers from sectors less directly affected.
- Due to budget constraints, not all changes in safety standards can be mitigated. The impact will likely vary depending on the reliance on OSHA standards.
Simulated Interviews
construction worker (Ohio)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on OSHA guidelines to make sure my work environment is safe.
- If the standards are changed too quickly, it's hard to adapt.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
nurse (California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- OSHA guidelines are really important, especially during emergencies.
- Shorter durations for safety measures might not account for ongoing health threats.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
factory manager (Texas)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It takes a lot of effort to keep up with changing regulations.
- This policy could make ongoing compliance a challenge with frequent changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
software engineer (New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't really affect me directly.
- My work environment doesn't depend on OSHA standards.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
restaurant manager (Florida)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- OSHA standards are just a piece of the safety measures we use.
- Changes might add some complexity, but it's manageable in the short term.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
retired construction worker (Pennsylvania)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- When I was working, OSHA standards were crucial for safety.
- I'm glad these weren't changing so frequently when I was on site.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
logistics coordinator (Michigan)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- OSHA standards help us avoid serious issues.
- Shifting standards might mean we have to retrain workers more often.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
healthcare worker (Georgia)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With ongoing health threats, long-term standards are essential.
- Frequent changes might overlook lasting issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
public school teacher (Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- OSHA standards are more for industry, but we do have similar guidelines.
- This policy won't necessarily change my work environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
entrepreneur (Washington)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Frequent changes in safety standards could be disruptive.
- As a business owner, I seek stability in regulatory environments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Year 2: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Year 5: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Year 10: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Key Considerations
- Employers will need to develop dynamic compliance strategies given the frequent change of regulations.
- The potential public safety risks associated with not having long-standing emergency standards which might lead to increased accidents and health hazards.
- Coordination with state and local regulations might be needed, as variation in temporary standards could create complexities.