Advocacy group calls for safety and health executive orders

Washington – President Barack Obama should issue an executive order to extend safety and health protections, argues the Center for Progressive Reform, a public health and environmental advocacy group.

Among the proposals from CPR included in a new paper (.pdf file) are an executive order requiring OSHA’s enforcement and consultation programs to better protect contingent workers, such as construction and farming day laborers. This would include OSHA conducting enforcement “sweeps” at workplaces that rely on temporary workers and developing a specific penalty structure for violations in the temporary help industry.

Additionally, the executive order should establish a regulatory agenda for issuing ergonomics rules for agriculture, construction, warehousing and other industries in which contingent workers may suffer musculoskeletal injuries, the paper states.

CPR also proposed an executive order requiring the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to “reorient” its role in rulemaking and work proactively with agencies. Specifically, the group recommended removing the requirements for cost-benefit analyses and review of minor rulemakings, which CPR claims would increase transparency and addressing regulatory delay.