The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures employees are provided a safe and healthful workplace through promulgating and enforcing safety and health standards, providing technical support to small businesses and educating workers on job hazards and their rights under the law. The Department of Labor FY2019 budget request reflects a commitment to improved working conditions and worker safety. Aligned with President Trump’s mission of efficient and clear policy priorities and the elimination of duplicative, inefficient spending, the FY2019 Budget recognizes the American workforce as the backbone of the American economy.
“President’s 2019 Budget Represents Strong Commitment to Worker Safety
The President’s budget provides a fiscally responsible framework to advance the Department of Labor’s mission of ensuring all Americans have access to family-sustaining jobs,” said Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. “From addressing the skills gap through apprenticeships to prioritizing workplace safety, this budget reflects a strong commitment to the American workforce….”
OSHA’s FY 2019 budget request provides an increase of $6.1 million for 42 new Compliance Safety and Health Officers to continue the agency’s strong commitment to enforcement; and another $5.1 million for 24 Compliance Assistance Specialists and eight Voluntary Protection Programs staff to allow the agency to expand its training, outreach, compliance assistance, and cooperative programs.”
An increase in OSHA Federal Compliance Assistance will also provide greater support to employers choosing to use cooperative programs to help protect their workers. Such targeted investments in OSHA enforcement, outreach and compliance assistance are aimed at reducing worker injuries and illnesses, resulting in a strengthened, effective American workforce.
