DOL 2011 Budge Announced- Allows for increased OSHA enforcement and inspectors

Yesterday Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced the Department of Labor's budget request for 2011. The Department of Labor website states, "The budget launches innovative ways to prepare workers for 21st century jobs, and makes new investments in programs that protect workers' rights, safety and health in the new economy. It reaches out to diverse audiences to ensure that all people from all communities are included in the jobs of the future." The budget is being built around the vision of "good jobs for everyone" (dol.gov).

In the national online discussion, Secretary Solis noted that the budget reflects the department's "commitment to investing in what works and carefully evaluating programs to make sure that they obtain results that will produce good jobs." During the online session, Secretary Solis answered questions on the budget to stakeholder groups, the general public, and the media.

The majority of the requested $117 billion will be used for unemployment insurance benefits for displaced workers and federal workers' compensation. The department's discretionary request of $14.0 billion overall includes $1.7 billion for worker protection programs, a four percent increase over the prior year's budget. Through the budget, the department will hire 350 new employees, including 177 investigators and other enforcement staff, many of whom will be bilingual to better communicate with employees in the changing workplace (dol.gov).

The requested budget includes $573 million for OSHA, which is $14 million more than what they received in 2010. Concerning enforcement, Secretary Solis stated, “Today's budget affirms this administration's strong commitment to vigorous enforcement.” “With the largest fine in OSHA’s history and more egregious cases, we are sending a strong message throughout industry that we will not tolerate the endangerment of workers. We will continue those efforts with a number of new and innovative enforcement initiatives in the coming year.”

OSHA's increase in enforcement will join the 192 personnel expected to be added by the end of the 2010 fiscal year. Together the investigators will assist in conducting an expected 42,000 federal inspections (employmentlawpost.com). OSHA administrator David Michaels stated that with the budget increase, "OSHA will hire 25 additional inspectors, and shift 35 who are presently doing compliance assistance to enforcement activities." This brings the total of new inspectors to 60; with additional staff OSHA expects more targeted inspections.

Souces:
www.dol.gov
"Solis’ Proposed Budget Opens Door for 358 More DOL Inspectors, Staff." Employment Law Post. HR Hero Alerts, 1 Feb. 2010. Web.
Walter, Laura. "DOL 2011 Budget Request Includes OSHA Increase, Focus on Enforcement." EHS Today. 1 Feb. 2010. Web.