Senate Republicans said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has stretched its regulatory boundaries and needs to back off farmers and quit pushing them to comply with laws that don’t even apply to them.
Sens. Mike Johanns of Nebraska and Jerry Moran of Kansas said OSHA shouldn’t be enforcing its mandates on farms that employ fewer than 10 workers and that Labor Secretary Tom Perez ought to make that clear, The Hill reported.
Since 1976, OSHA has been prevented by congressional action from targeting the small farms. But the agency’s been issuing fines on the small operations anyway in recent weeks. And lawmakers aren’t happy.
“Lo and behold, OSHA has decided it can label certain sections of the farm as something else — by fiat — and send in their inspectors,” Mr. Johanns said during floor remarks, according to The Hill. “OSHA ignored what Congress directed.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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