SAFE Act to be reintroduced with felony charge provision added.When Congress reconvenes in 2004, controversial OSHA OSHA n. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a branch of the US Department of Labor responsible for establishing and enforcing safety and health standards in the workplace. reform legislation is expected to be reintroduced by Sen. Mike Enzi Michael Bradley "Mike" Enzi (born February 1 1944) is a conservative Republican United States Senator from Wyoming. Before his election to the U.S. Senate in 1996, Enzi had been a businessman, who at one time owned family shoe stores. (R-WY). The Safety Advancement for Employees (SAFE) Act, which the senator originally introduced during the 105th Congress, will be reintroduced even though it faces strong opposition from organized labor Organized Labor An association of workers united as a single, representative entity for the purpose of improving the workers' economic status and working conditions through collective bargaining with employers. Also known as "unions". groups as well as industry groups. The SAFE Act will be reintroduced with the same text except for an additional felony charge provision aimed at strengthening OSHA's enforcement ability. The proposed charge will include a maximum prison term of 18 months and a $10,000 fine. While the potential for a felony violation gives industry pause, the bill also contains a provision that allows employers to attain certificates of compliance through third-party consultants rather than the administration itself. That provision makes the SAFE Act unattractive to labor groups. Sen. Jon Corzine Jon Stevens Corzine (born January 1, 1947) is the Governor of New Jersey. He was sworn into office on January 17, 2006, for a four-year term ending in 2010. He represented New Jersey in the United States Senate from 2001 until 2006, when he stepped down to take his seat as (D-NJ) has offered the Senate another option for OSHA reform in his bill, also designed to strengthen OSHA's enforcement with a felony charge provision. On the other side of the Hill, Rep. Charlie Norwood Charles Whitlow Norwood, Jr. (July 27 1941 – February 13 2007) was an American politician and dentist, serving as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 until his death. (R-GA) has introduced OSHA reform legislation in the House that will work to alter OSHA's Review Commission and willful violation penalty. Norwood worries that the added criminal penalties in both Senate bills may lead to a confrontational tone in government-employer relationships. |
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