Proposed FY2016 budget would boost safety agency funding

Washington – President Barack Obama’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2016 includes an increase of nearly $60 million for OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Under the proposed budget, released Feb. 2, OSHA would be funded at $592.1 million, with MSHA at $394.9 million. The agencies’ current year funding levels are approximately $552.8 million and $375.9 million, respectively.

The OSHA proposal includes the following increases:

• $4 million for State Plan states
• $18 million for federal enforcement
• $5 million for whistleblower protections
• $5 million for compliance assistance

MSHA would receive the following increases:

• $8 million for coal mines
• $1 million for standards development
• $4 million for educational policy and development

The budget proposal will be taken into consideration by Congress. Fiscal year 2016 runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.