Charles Norwood: “by now it is no secret that I want to change the way OSHA does business. I have come to the floor many times to talk…”

“by now it is no secret that I want to change the way OSHA does business. I have come to the floor many times to talk about the excesses of OSHA. But our OSHA reform bill is not simply about curbing the regulatory excesses of OSHA; our bill seeks to restore the freedoms OSHA has taken away. Mr. Speaker, allow me to quote from the sixth amendment to the Constitution. ``the accused shall enjoy the right * * * to be confronted with the witnesses against him.'' Mr. Speaker, under current OSHA policy that right does not exist. If OSHA shows up on your doorstep today to investigate an alleged violation, you as an employer have no right to know who reported a violation. That policy encourages OSHA to be used as a tool of disgruntled employees and labor negotiators. Our bill will require that employees work with employers to correct safety problems. I have heard critics complain that employees will be afraid to question workplace safety for fear that an employer may take action against them. Maybe these people have forgotten about bureaucracies like the National Labor Relations Board or the labor lawyers salivating over a case like that. Anyone who believes that an employee does not have recourse against an employer probably thinks Medicare isn't going bankrupt. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of testifying before the Small Business Committee last week on OSHA reform. It reminded me why OSHA reform is so important. OSHA regulations strangle small businesses.”