Lives on the Line: The Dangerous Push to Weaken OSHA

Without the proper federal regulations, there will likely be an increase in workplace injuries and deaths. © ARHIT – stock.adobe.com

The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has joined 11 other organizations in filing a legal brief in support of OSHA.

By: Dan Glucksman, Contributor

Every year, more than 5000 workers die on the job in the United States — that’s an average of one fatality every 96 minutes. These figures represent real-world consequences — lives lost and lasting impacts on workplaces and families. But despite the dangerous realities of workplace fatalities, federal policymakers are once again considering cutting vital funding to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which would result in a lower enforcement capacity, making safety regulations much harder to impose and weakening the agency as a whole. If this trend continues, the toll on American workers will rise exponentially.

OSHA, the administration that has been tasked with keeping American laborers safe in the workplace, has implemented safeguards to prevent fatalities and injuries on the job since its conception decades ago. In turn, keeping workers safe has actually benefitted employers and the nation cost-wise; Employers can save four to six dollars for every dollar invested in an effective workplace safety program.¹ This return on investment illustrates that the cost of enforcing workplace safety is far outweighed by the cost of injury. In spite of this, myths still persist as the “regulatory burden” continues to dominate conversations regarding occupational safety, creating misconceptions about regulatory investment and its hindrance on economic growth and added costs to business development.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OSHA RESOURCES DECLINE

OSHA oversight is not a burden, but a lifeline. Without vigilant enforcement from the agency, workplace deaths and critical injuries, including toxic exposure and machine malfunction, would likely surge, as the safety net that was once in place would cease to exist. Industries would be left unchecked and preventable injuries and fatalities would be an even more regular and heartbreaking occurrence.

According to AFL-CIO, workplaces with minimal oversight could experience three times higher injury rates than workplaces with proper safety regulations and inspections.² And, the National Safety Council found that workplace injuries and fatalities amount to over 170 billion dollars annually.³ With less government regulations, injuries and fatalities could become more common, costing Americans billions.

Without governmental oversight, the priority for workplace safety may suffer due to an absence of federal regulations. Safety regulations are clear and enforceable standards that ensure workplace safety by mandating employers to safeguard their employees in specific situations. Without enforcement and specific regulations, employers will not have to fear the possibility of consequences, and they can prioritize profits over the safety and well-being of their workers, potentially exposing the employees to dangerous conditions.

Proponents of cutting OSHA’s capabilities believe that less red tape will lead to growth and flexibility for businesses across the country, but weakening OSHA will cost everyone, from the workers to their families to their employers and to the nation.⁴ Reduced safety standards could lead to life-long health complications for many workers who have been exposed to toxic or unsafe work environments for extended periods of time. Reducing federal regulation on occupational safety will also disproportionately affect the more vulnerable populations, especially in the construction, manufacturing, and agriculture industries.

WHY OSHA MATTERS: MORE THAN JUST RED TAPE

Most workplace injuries and fatalities are preventable. Weakening OSHA would only raise the toll of those who have experienced occupational injuries and health issues. With the right safeguards in place, like proper training, safety equipment, and employer oversight, many of the injuries and fatalities that occur could be prevented.

When OSHA is adequately funded, the agency is able to:

• Issue citations detailing workplace violations
• Conduct inspections to assess workplace safety
• Ensure that employers are complying with federal and state mandates

These proactive measures save lives, and also reduce the financial burden on some of America’s most critical employees and the healthcare system as a whole. The effects of preventing workplace injuries extend beyond the immediate consequences; keeping workers safe leads to better long-term health outcomes, reducing costs on insurance for businesses, and improving the general economy by promoting a healthy workforce. When workers are safe and healthy, they are more productive, benefitting their employer and saving them money in the long run.

The budget proposal for the agency in 2026 significantly cuts funding and eliminates over 200 full-time positions, reducing the workforce from about 1800 to a little over 1500.⁵ The stream of funding to OSHA has always been a key factor in its capabilities. From 2022 to 2023, the budget was increased by about $20 million⁶ and subsequently, the number of fatalities⁷ decreased by 3.7%, and illnesses and injuries were down by 8.4%. These improvements in just one year are direct evidence that a well-funded and well-staffed OSHA can lead to tangible benefits for workers across the country. The proposed budget cuts threaten to reverse the progress made by the agency, and threaten the lives of millions of American employees every day.

The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has joined 11 other organizations in filing a legal brief in support of OSHA, citing that the agency is “critical to preventing job injuries.” It is estimated that in the past 48 years, more than 712,000 lives⁸ have been saved and jobsite deaths have been reduced by almost two-thirds⁹ due to the agency.

Without the proper federal regulations, there will likely be an increase in workplace violations¹⁰, unsafe environments, and as a result, workplace injuries and deaths. Protecting workers should be a federal priority for businesses and policymakers alike who are responsible for safeguarding the American workforce from dangerous and preventable work environments.

LAWMAKERS URGE EXPANDED INVESTMENT IN WORKPLACE SAFETY

Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ)¹¹ is calling for a substantial funding increase for federal workplace safety agencies as part of the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill. In a letter addressed to Senate appropriators, Kim advocated for $655.5 million in funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to support inspector recruitment, workplace safety enforcement, and the administration of whistleblower protections under 25 federal statutes. Pointing to persistently high rates of job-related deaths — particularly among Black and Latino workers — Kim underscored the urgent need for stronger oversight. He also requested $21.5 million for the Office of Safety and Health Standards and $15.5 million for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, highlighting the agencies’ growing workloads and their responsibility for protecting over 130 million American workers at millions of job sites across the country.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRENGTHENING OSHA

Moving forward, OSHA must be strengthened rather than weakened. The agency requires adequate funding, an abundance of resources, and the federal authority to enforce its statutes and regulations. Lawmakers must prioritize increasing OSHA’s capabilities and making sure that employers are held accountable for their role in ensuring the safety of their employees.

By maintaining or increasing the agency’s budget, the government can provide OSHA with the tools to keep workplaces safe and minimize fatalities across the nation. Supporting OSHA will create a safer and more sustainable future for the millions of everyday Americans who provide for their families and to the American economy. Workplace injuries and fatalities should not be the standard. Strengthening OSHA and prioritizing workplace safety will only strengthen the American people and the nation. WMHS

Dan Glucksman is Senior Director of Policy for the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), the association for safety equipment and technologies — equipment and systems that enable people to work in hazardous environments. ISEA is a recognized leader in the development of ANSI-accredited safety equipment standards. It works with Congress and government agencies to consult with policymakers whose decisions affect the industry. Visit: https://safetyequipment.org/