THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY GIBBONS, BISHOP, K. BOYLE, BRADFORD, WHITE, BRENNAN, D. COSTA, DALEY, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HENNESSEY, HESS, JOSEPHS, W. KELLER, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, KULA, MAHONEY, MANN, MILLARD, MOUL, MURT, PASHINSKI, QUINN, READSHAW, ROCK, SAINATO, K. SMITH, STABACK, SWANGER AND WAGNER, MAY 23, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MAY 23, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and

Health Administration.

WHEREAS, On December 29, 1970, President Richard M. Nixon

signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which set forth

regulations for best practices for a safe and healthy work

environment in reaction to more than 100 years of hazardous and

deadly industrial practices; and

WHEREAS, The Occupational Safety and Health Act created the

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), under the

United States Department of Labor, to enforce stricter work-

place regulations to reduce job-related illnesses, injuries and

fatalities; and

WHEREAS, OSHA has strengthened regulations that limit

workers' exposure to hazardous chemicals and carcinogens,

including asbestos, inorganic arsenic, beryllium and cotton

dust, resulting in a massive reduction of chemically induced

illnesses and disease among workers; and

WHEREAS, According to OSHA, workplace fatalities have been

reduced by 65% since 1970; and

WHEREAS, As of 2009, OSHA reported that 12 workers die on the

job every day and 3.3 million men and women sustain work-related

injuries or illnesses; and

WHEREAS, OSHA helps ensure the health and safety of America's

work force; and

WHEREAS, A safe and healthy work force is the engine that

drives our strong American economy; and

WHEREAS, Fewer workplace accidents and diseases reduce the

number of workers' compensation claims and lower costs for

American businesses; and

WHEREAS, OSHA lends support to the private and public sectors

through OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, which offer

curricula to train compliance officers in an effort to create

and maintain safe and healthy workplaces; and

WHEREAS, OSHA began operations on April 28, 1971, and has

enforced standards for 40 years that protect 130 million

American workers annually; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

40th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration and its efforts to protect American workers and

their families.