With the much anticipated sequestration deadline finally here, OSHA plans to freeze hiring and bonuses – moves that will enable the agency to avoid furloughing employees despite the looming budget cuts. That contradicts a Feb. 8 White House prediction that sequestration would force OSHA to take some of its inspectors off the job, at least for a period of time.
It’s my sense that sequestration will happen, and that it will last for about two months. After that period, the pain for Congress and the impacted public – defense and non-defense alike - will be too great.
The top of the charts' number one issue of immediate consequence in Washington is that strange word – sequestration, according to Aaron Trippler, government affairs director of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).
There has been a lot of talk recently about the upcoming “fiscal cliff.” Just what is this “cliff” and how does it impact occupational safety and health? First of all, you need to know that no matter who you are or what you do; the fiscal cliff will impact you and your family. Let’s take a quick look –