EP 694 - NOSHA - Let's Abolish OSHA

Show Transcript

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Here is our main story on the Rated R Safety Show.

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So I don't even know where to start.

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I debated for a hot second there to talk about this first before we talked about anything

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else because it's just that weirdo ear to me with everything that's going on.

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So let's talk real quick about what is going on.

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So we're going to be diving into this very hot topic that's going around about workplace

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safety in the US.

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I don't know if you've heard this, but there is a thing now called the HR 86.

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It's the no-sha act.

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Yeah, no-sha act.

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So what does that mean?

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This is known to nullify Occupational Safety and Health Administration or no-sha act.

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So what is HR 86?

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Introduced by Representative Andy Biggs from Arizona on January the 3rd of 2025, the bill

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proposes repealing the Occupational Safety and Health Act of the 1970 and abolish the

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Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, currently referred to as the House Committee on Education

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and the Workforce for Review.

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So what would this mean?

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Let's talk about this because you know that this is an entity that we talk about quite

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often, but let's get into it.

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If it is passed, HR 86 would eliminate OSHA altogether, the federal agency responsible

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for workplace safety regulations, inspections, and enforcements.

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The argument behind the bill is that OSHA imposes unnecessary burdens on businesses

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while the critics argue that removing OSHA would put millions of workers at risk.

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So you know it's going to be kind of an interesting one as we're taking a look at this.

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So let's think about this real quick.

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Think about how we talk about that OSHA is like minimum, minimum standards on what we

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talk about.

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This is where you should be even though you have some potential growth there.

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So how would this work?

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How would this whole thing happen?

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Who would be wanting to repeal this?

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So take a listen.

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Arguments for repealing OSHA supporting the HR 86.

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Less regulation for businesses, companies, especially small businesses wouldn't have

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to deal with OSHA fines and complex compliance rules.

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Limited industry control, workplace safety would be managed by the state level or private

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industry initiatives instead of federal mandates.

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Boost to economic growth, reduce federal oversight might lower the cost for businesses and potentially

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leading to job growth.

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Government reduction, supporters see OSHA as an unnecessary bureaucracy that could be

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eliminated to reduce taxpayer funding and regulatory cost.

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So what does this mean?

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So what does this mean?

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When you look at it and you go arguments against repealing OSHA opposing the HR 86, this is

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what this would mean.

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Workplace safety at risk OSHA was created to reduce workplace fatalities and injuries

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removing it could lead to the rise of unsafe conditions.

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Lack of employer accountability without OSHA some employers might cut corners prioritizing

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profits over worker safety.

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Now let's be realistic.

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Let's not like that does not happen already but we'll continue on.

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State laws might be weaker.

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A patchwork of state regulations could lead to inconsistencies in workplace protection.

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Also long-term costs could increase while OSHA compliance costs businesses money, workplaces

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accidents without oversight could lead to higher workers compensation claims and lawsuits.

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So when you look at this whole thing does it make sense to you to abolish it or do you

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look at it and go I don't think this is the time to talk about this.

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So if we start taking a look again what is the likelihood of this happening?

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Well the bill will face several challenges.

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So political climate the House majority stance on the labor laws will be key even if passing

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through the House of the Senate is a bigger hurdle.

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Industry and labor opposition workers, advocacy groups, labor unions and public health experts

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are likely to fight against it.

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Also public opinion most Americans support worse workplace safety protections making

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it politically risky for some lawmakers to back this bill.

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I look at this and I go I don't understand why you would want to push this because if

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you remove the whole compliance sector and keep in mind that we're talking lower than

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most you know what OSHA requires at least some people will go okay we can do a little

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bit better and that's entirely up to them but you know that there's some people that

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think oh OSHA has high standards when it comes to certain things.

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So I don't know.

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So as for now the HR 86 is in the early stage of the legislative process so let's make sure

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that we're clear there and it remains unclear whether it will gain gain traction install.

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So I don't know will it stall in the committees who knows.

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So let's talk about what you think about this would eliminating OSHA be the step towards

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business freedom or disaster waiting to happen.

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You can hit us up on our social media as a safety FM rated our safety show or definitely

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on radio big or you can email us directly at info at safety FM or let us know your thoughts

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you know in regards of what's going on.

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Let me reference just one more thing for additional context the information that we're covering

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here is noteworthy representative Andy Biggs the sponsor of the HR 86 has been vocal about

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his reason for introducing the bill.

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He criticizes that OSHA is an example of federal overreach describing it as a bloated federal

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government entity that imposes unnecessary regulations of businesses.

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Biggs argues that dismantling OSHA would reduce government interference in the private sector

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potentially fostering a more business friendly environment.

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The perspective aligns with the broader argument in favor of repealing OSHA emphasizing reduced

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regulatory burdens and increase economic freedom for businesses.

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However it also intensifies the debate about whether the balance between deregulation and

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maintaining essential protection for workers.

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So if you want to look at a more in-depth look at this representative Biggs statements and

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the other context you can read a full article about this at Law and Crime.

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Yeah what an interesting time.

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What do you think will happen if OSHA goes away.

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What do you think will happen inside a York workplace.

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That's going to be something to really give some consideration to.

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That's for sure.

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What did you just say.

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We have safety.

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I don't always agree with the viewpoints of our hosts and guests.

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Now back to real safety talk on safety FM.

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