Reforming OSHA

The debate over reforming OSHA policy has stretched momentously in recent years. The result of these debates show growing challenges with regard to pending health problems that may require an effective health and safety management, and ethical principle in response to the continual health crisis in the work place. These debates have far more consequences when it involves human health, safety, rights, equality, and ethics. For example, it took 30 years to introduce OSHA standard and policy on silica because regulators needed to adequately streamline the process by examining scientific evidences that provide stringent standards for the reducing the effect of silica in the workplace. The process of employing stronger rules on Silica was absolutely …show more content…
Schneid, explains that “the OSH Act also requires that all standards be based on research, demonstration, experimentation, or other appropriate information that is often a battle ground in the promulgation of new standards” (Schneid 8, …show more content…
Although OSHA standard and regulations has not been effective to some extend but considering the level of achievement it policy has made over the years in reducing the death and injuries rates in the workplace around the United States is worth noting. OSHA has improved regulation by modifying its current policy and standards for industrial exposure to crystalline silica. According to Ginger Christ, author of OSHA Issues Final Rule on Silica, explain”The new rule establishes two standards – one for general industry and maritime and one for the construction industry – and limits exposure to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 50 micrograms of respirable crystalline silica per cubic meter of air. “There’s no substitute for a national standard,” U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez said. The new protections annually will save more than 600 lives and prevent more than 900 new cases of silicosis – a chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica particles – the Department of Labor