DOL Back In Business of Enforcement, Unveils Texas Safety Plan

SAN ANTONIO – The Dept of Labor and OSHA are back in the enforcement business, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis told the 3,000 safety engineers attending the ASSE Safety 2009 Professional Development Conference’s general session Monday morning.

In her first official visit to Texas, Solis unveiled a Texas construction safety initiative,

Beginning in July, OSHA will increase the number of inspectors in Texas for a concentrated effort to prevent injuries and fatalities at construction sites.

She said the Obama administration is serious about safety, and will go after anyone who puts workers lives at risk.

“The Texas construction industry experiences too many fatalities,” she said. “There have been 145 fatalities since 2007,” she said, and Hispanic fatalities continue to rise, with a 125 percent increase in fatalities since 1992.

“Texas has the dubious distinction of having more workers die than in any other state. We will increase protections for a greater number of workers.

“When these inspectors observe unsafe scaffolds, fall risks, trenches or other hazards, they are empowered to launch an immediate investigation,” said Solis, the daughter of immigrant union workers. “As I have said since my first day on the job, the U.S. Dept. of Labor is back in the enforcement business.”

She said her commitment to worker safety can be seen in her 2010 budget request, which includes $1.7 billion for worker protection programs. She will add nearly 670 additional investigators and inspectors to improve compliance in low wage industries, focusing on reducing repeat violations.

Saying she is committed to a greater federal role, Solis said she believes in good jobs for everyone, describing a good job is safe and secure with decent wages and good benefits.

“Government has a fundamental responsibility to protect workers,” she said. “We will focus on workers and not voluntary protection programs. The Dept of Labor is back in the enforcement business. It’s not an issue of workers against business. No business is too small to protect its workers. Safe workers are healthy, productive workers.”

Solis also announced grants totaling $600,000 for the American GI Forum’s Veterans Outreach Program, which is designed to help homeless veterans succeed in civilian careers.