Interesting Bill in Congress Imposes Prison Term for Safety Violations

I got tipped off about HB 2067, introduced by California U.S. Rep Lynn Woolsey, from Finance-Commerce.com.   Styled the “Protecting America’s Workers Act,” the bill’s summary explains that it would let the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforce stiffer penalties for willful safety violations that result in serious injury or death.”

What kind of stiffer penalties?    Well, many are concerned that the bill could extend criminal liability to foremans, superintendents and safety directors within an organization.

Is this a serious problem?   Will this bill gain traction?

The folks at 16deathsperday.com would argue the problem is serious, and certainly hope that the bill moves through congress.    According to the organization, 16 workers are killed each day in the United States “because of reckless negligence on the part of their employers.”

If HB 2067 becomes law, and this organization’s numbers are correct, that could expose employees and owners to stiffer penalties and possible criminal sanctions 16 times per day.

Track the bill over at OpenCongress.org here, and stay tuned to the Monitor for future updates if this thing gets pushed through.

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