OSHA is turning 40. I sincerely think that a lot has been achieved in the last 40 years. But there is so much more that needs to be done. We should not sacrifice safety on the altar or economy, money and finance.
Many of the standards are still almost 40 years old. Permissible exposure levels (PEL) on a federal level are based on old scientific data. We know now a lot more about the hazardous effects of exposures to toxic chemicals, dust, asbestos, silica, just to name a few, and yet we are hanging on to the old PELs. How can it be that the research results of scientists in our nation and all around the world are not finding their way into the OSHA standards? Is it because as a result of changing standards employers would be constantly required to update their safety program and efforts? Is it because the additional cost for safety design, engineering and work practice controls would need to be covered by the end consumer? Is it because there is too much bureaucracy and we are working inefficiently? Is it because everything boils down to money?
We as safety professionals should not rely on OSHA to come up with more stringent standards. This may happen in the future – in one, two or more years. But in between now and then there will be thousands more of fatalities and injuries. It is our job to be inconvenient and voice our opinion openly. It is our job to NOT be afraid to speak up in our companies and try every angle possible to change our company’s and management’s view of and attitude towards safety. We are the backbone that OSHA needs to rely on doing everything in our power to start a change.
Will that change be always achieved fast? There will be many occasions where there will be no change at all and the safety manager of a company will either start turning grey or pull his/her hair out or decide to move on. Don’t look for your fellow safety professional to take the first step. Never give up. The change starts with each of us.
Meike Patten, MPSafetyTraining
Meike Patten, MPSafetyTraining
