Virginia Foxx: “This amendment is unnecessary. The underlying bill already mandates that each workplace violation prevention plan…”

“This amendment is unnecessary. The underlying bill already mandates that each workplace violation prevention plan required by the bill ``be made available at all times'' to covered employees. This amendment adds yet another overly prescriptive requirement on healthcare establishments. OSHA, as it proceeds with its rulemaking, should have the ability to determine the specific elements required of each employer after analyzing their effectiveness and potential cost. Ultimately, H.R. 1309 circumvents the longstanding, established OSHA rulemaking process, which is intended to research thoroughly the underlying circumstances that may merit a health and safety regulation and gather meaningful stakeholder input in order to create the most feasible and protective safety and health standard possible. {time} 1015 By dodging the established regulatory process, H.R. 1309 is foreclosing other potential solutions. H.R. 1309 will require OSHA to enforce an interim final standard in healthcare and social service settings within a year. The legislation does not allow OSHA to consider important information, such as the experience of California which has a brand-new standard in place, the views of experts in the field, and the input of workers who have invaluable workplace experience. H.R. 1309 discounts the complexity of the underlying issue and the importance of the knowledge and experience stakeholders can offer that will help create a workable and effective solution.…”