Protect Small Business

[m1a1mg]

I don't personally know anyone on the right that advocates fully abolishing these agencies. The last three posts raise valid points and I'm not sure I know the answer. I can't deny that corporate America would get away with whatever they could, but small businesses don't usually follow that mind set.

I have no answer, except to note that it isn't at the far reaches of either side. It's somewhere in the middle. As disgusting as that sounds to some.

 

[Zebraspots]

Most local construction sites aren't up to OSHA standards, so to rack up $70,000 in fines there must be more to the story.

 

[ktmeadows]

But just think of how much better conditions would be for these workers if government would just get out of the way and let the free market system work.

Poppy, I respectfully disagree with you when it comes to the OSHA involvement in this case. Before OSHA came to be in 1970, workers had no one looking after their safety. Of course there were some employers who truly cared for their employees and did everything they could to ensure their safety, but there were just as many (or more) who were more worried about production than making sure their workers retuned home safely to their families at the end of the day. OSHA is pro-worker. I may agree with you in some cased about too much government, but not in the case of OSHA. In fact, they are understaffed. By the way, I am not in any way affiliated with OSHA, but I do work in the occupational safety and health and have studied worker health and safety in depth over the years.

 

[poppy]

Poppy, I respectfully disagree with you when it comes to the OSHA involvement in this case. Before OSHA came to be in 1970, workers had no one looking after their safety. Of course there were some employers who truly cared for their employees and did everything they could to ensure their safety, but there were just as many (or more) who were more worried about production than making sure their workers retuned home safely to their families at the end of the day. OSHA is pro-worker. I may agree with you in some cased about too much government, but not in the case of OSHA. In fact, they are understaffed. By the way, I am not in any way affiliated with OSHA, but I do work in the occupational safety and health and have studied worker health and safety in depth over the years.

I was being facetious.

 

[j p nettles]

While I believe in a business friendly environment, I also believe that business should comply with laws and that any business should maintain a safe workplace. The business I mentioned in an earlier post acknowledged having an unsafe premises but the fact remains that the conditions were not corrected. OSHA didn't send an inspector but relied on a few photos and other documents sent by the business itself. If a government agency has inspectors, they ought to use them.

 

[ktmeadows]

I was being facetious.

.

 

[poppy]

Could it be as luvthebeach says and they are understaffed? I have no idea how OSHA conducts their business, but if I were to guess I would say it's possible they give a business the chance to self-correct the problem without the need for an on site inspector. Of course this doesn't stop the business from lying about their corrective measures and if a subsequent complaint arises maybe then they send out an inspector. I seriously doubt OSHA is able to respond in person to every complaint they recieve.

 

[Matt J]

While I believe in a business friendly environment, I also believe that business should comply with laws and that any business should maintain a safe workplace. The business I mentioned in an earlier post acknowledged having an unsafe premises but the fact remains that the conditions were not corrected. OSHA didn't send an inspector but relied on a few photos and other documents sent by the business itself. If a government agency has inspectors, they ought to use them.

You were talking about another incident, you have now muddied the waters and thrown the conversation off track. Your posts in this thread are a perfect example of why order and reason are necessary and you can't just let **** play out. You've now somewhat reversed yourself and are still referencing a different incident with a different business.

 

[lazin&drinkin]

Absurd? Absurdity is believing a for profit corporation will ever put worker safety first. Are you saying you believe corporations will self police themselves when it comes to worker safety? If this were true, and there is a ton of historical evidence to prove it isn't, then OSHA would never have been formed. It is still amazing to me that the right thinks a worker should bow down to a corporation every morning to thank them for a job and accept whatever crappy workplace environment the company chooses to provide. I believe in government and industry working together. It sounds more and more like Republicans want to convert congress into a national corporate headquarters.

You are no doubt correct. The Republicans would probably convert congress into a national corporate headquarters had the Democrats not already done so.

 

[John G]

Yet, no one answers about the permits...