Progressive has claimed to be a cheap car insurance company. They offer services such as 24/7 claim service, pet accident insurance, and someone to assist you with buying a car if yours gets totaled, and discounts for a safe driving record and having more than one car insured with them. In completing a quote, individuals are asked to provide the car that they drive, personal identifying information, and whether they have any driving violations. Individuals are then offered a choice of what kind of car insurance they would like, and the amount of money they could pay for each of those insurances, which may or may not be cheaper than what they are already paying.

Geico also has claimed itself to be a cheap car insurance company. Their claim is that 15 minutes could effect you up to 15 percent on your insurance. One bonus with Geico is that they do provide all the different coverages that are available and that you the consumer should consider having on your policy. I started a quote from them but became frustrated at the amount of information that they required. Some personal information I was allowed to opt out of giving like my phone number and social security number, but others I was not like my occupation and how grand I am paying for my insurance currently. Geico does not provide coverage in Massachusetts.

Allstate is going a different route in being a cheap car insurance company. Their claim is a safe driving bonus for every 6 months an individual goes without an accident they can earn up to 5% of their premium. They can also regain money off of their deductible. Individuals can also receive a quote online.

Position Farm can also be considered a cheap car insurance company. They offer to their individuals information such as how much insurance do they need, what affects the price of their insurance, what are coverage and deductible options, and auto insurance discounts. They offer discounts for Multiple Vehicle, Multiple Line, Current Vehicle Safety, Accident Free, Anti-Theft Device, Defensive Driving, Salubrious Driving, Good Student and, Driver Training. Individuals can get a quote online in about 15 minutes.

Nationwide is also a cheap car insurance company, because they claim that you can save up to $500. They offer 100% guarantee on repairs for as long as you absorb the vehicle. They offer 24/7 claim service. They also offer free On Your Side Reviews to assist you with choosing discounts and coverage that are right for you.

Amica also claims to be a cheap car insurance company. They do not offer much information about their auto insurance online. However, you can complete a quote online.

Esurance offers the most information about cheap car insurance companies. Esurance allows individuals to score a quote that compares auto insurance rates. This allows the individual to pick the best insurance information for them. Individuals can then buy the policy fair online. Esurance claims that if another company offers a cheaper rate you can purchase the policy.

1)Do you need it yet? The sheet pre-op nurse will give you before my surgery date says there were greater risks if you have surgery from diabetic complications down the road? So do you need it now? For me the Cataract was in my left eye. However my straight ahead vision was fine 20/25 or so. My right hand vision was fine. My left hand vision was 20/40, but this as of yet didn’t affect my driving. I told him I was not sure about night driving since I have not driven any long trips since my diagnosis. In certain lights such as mercury vapor lit stores there is some net affect. However could, I live with it? My acknowledge was yes. My Doctor agreed with me. What a relief!

2)If you cover your affected eye can you see well? If I cover your good eye explain what you see to your Surgeon. In my case my right look is the better eye and it’s like looking trough a smoky room and things are not as detailed. I can see a painting with my left sight and the major things in it, but not the details like thin plant stems, or artist’s signature. The Doctor said don’t cover my good eye. That made sense.

3)Can you read with my regular reading glasses? If not then this affects your quality of life. You must assume by how much and if it is worth having the operation now.

4)I you have Diabetes 2 timing is an issue. If your surgery is in the afternoon is there something you can do to prevent hypoglycemia? Lower or eliminate your medication? I thought maybe not taking the Metformin (my diabetes medicine might help. If so when should I stop taking it. If not what else can I do to prevent hypoglycemia from the fast the day of the surgery? The respond for me was to schedule a much earlier surgery in the morning. The only reason I had late surgery scheduled was there was no time available in the near future. The delay will take care of that as well.

5)Tell your Doctor all the medications and allergies you have and all the medications you take. I am allergic to Penicillin and accept somewhat itchy if I choose a Percoset and it interferes with sleep. I have high Cholesterol and win medication for it. Worst of all I steal Uroxatral for an enlarged prostate. This can cause complications during the operation itself. If the Surgeon knows he can take precautions to minimize the risk from this drug. 

6)Also ask your Surgeon what are the chances of each complication of the operation as stated in the risk sheet they give you. 

7)Ask him to look at your eyes. If the Surgeon was the Doctor who recommended the operation, Earn A SECOND Understanding!!! I can’t emphasis this enough. Ask if the Doctor thinks you need the operation now or should postpone it because of risks versus the benefits.

8)In my case, have some cataract in my right gape as well but it does not yet affect my vision. If this is true for you as well ask the Surgeon how long it will be before your second eye is affected. If you examine equally poorly out of both eyes, it would affect your vision and ability to do things such as driving, reading, and many other quality of life routines. 

9)Should you wait and see how things go or go ahead with the operation. The Surgeon most probably will not reply this question but he may venture a guess. 

10)What are the odds that after the operation and a healing period, that your surgically altered eye will improve? How much of an improvement could be realistically expected?

11)If you take an anti-inflammatory the sheets warns you to discontinue it for ten days before the operation. The Doctor may advise you to continue to take this during this period. Does this increase risk?  

12)Will all my charges be covered under my medical plan other than normal co-pay? If not what will I have to pay? Cataract surgery on one leer goes for about $5,000 a pop these days. This is vital information. 

13)If you are in an HMO, what do you need to get from your primary care physician for insurance purposes?

14)How long will you not be able to drive for after the operation?

15)Do you have a person to drive you to and pick you up after surgery? You will not be able to drive.

16)What other restrictions will you have post-op.

17)Ask the Doctor if you missed anything he wishes to tell you about not in these question.

These are important questions. Never rush into elective surgery if it is not time distinguished. In the case of cataracts, time may be on your side.

My surgery was postponed because I asked the right questions. Hopefully these questions will help you and your Surgeon decide what is best for you.

Research How Much Coverage You Need
Before you even begin getting rate quotes, find out how much minimum coverage your state requires, as this varies from state to state. This number will be your starting point as you shop. Then, evaluate your assets and determine how much extra coverage you should add, if any. If your assets well exceed your bodily injury liability coverage limits, attorneys could go after them in the event of an accident in which you’re at-fault and the other party’s medical bills exceed your coverage limits. Let your personal financial situation guide you, and review this from year to year to make sure your current coverage reflects your assets.

Compare Rate Quotes
Once you’ve certain how considerable coverage you need when shopping for car insurance, you can then compare quotes from different companies based on those numbers. This step alone will help you set aside money on auto insurance that can be quite spacious, so don’t skip it! While you can go to specific companies’ Websites to get free rate quotes, there are independent sites as well, if you feel more comfortable. As you research your options, keep these things in mind:

• Make sure you’re comparing all annual or monthly rates so your numbers add up correctly.

• Jot down an 800 number for each state to get additional information or questions answered.

• Look at the company’s payment policy, including when payments are due and how late or missed payments are handled.

• Find any and all discounts that pertain to you and compare the discounts that companies offer; this can make a big contrast to your bottom line.

• Look at ratings from exact consumers as well as from official companies to make sure it’s a reputable company that will remove care of you in the event of an accident.

Research All Discounts
Many auto insurance companies offer discounts to consumers for all sorts of reasons; chances are you already qualify for at least a few and don’t even know it. These discounts vary, but it is worth exhausting your options to find the best rates possible. When researching your policy options, secure out if these discounts apply to your situation:

• Pleasurable driving record

• Good to excellent credit score

• Safety equipment on your vehicle, such as anti lock brakes, automatic seatbelts, and airbags

• Your occupation (some jobs are considered lower risk to insure)

• Annual mileage (lower yearly mileage can result in a percentage off your policy)

• Affiliations with professional organizations and auto clubs like AAA

• Combining your auto insurance policy with your homeowner’s insurance

• Insuring all household cars with one company

• Choosing a vehicle with a lower rate (check with your insurance company before purchasing a new car)

• Installing or having anti-theft devices in your vehicle

• Taking a driver safety course (this pertains mostly to teens, though some offer a discount for those over 55 who take one as well)

• Getting an “early shopping discount” by shopping around for a new policy well before your current policy expires

Pick and Choose Your Coverage Options
You don’t have to automatically determine a package offered to you by the insurance company. For instance, you may choose to downgrade or eliminate collision coverage if you have a good driving record or an older vehicle, keeping the comprehensive to cover you in the event your car is stolen. Also, many people opt to assume more risk by raising their deductible, thus lowering their monthly premium. If you raise your deductible from $500 to $1,000, you’re paying $500 more in the event of an accident, but you’ll establish this money in monthly payments, making it well worth the risk for most people.

Decide if You Want to Use an Agent
Researching your options to keep money on car insurance can be a daunting task, especially if it’s a new process for you or you have a lot of exceptions to deem. Using an insurance agent can streamline this process and assign you a lot of headaches. There are two types of agents; those who are dart to a specific insurance company and can therefore only advise you to various policies and discounts within that company, and those who are independent. Independent agents will help you shop around with various insurance companies to find the best deals. My husband and I have used an independent agent for about seven years now and have been very happy with the service and benefit we’ve been given. This agent was also able to wait on us when we bought our first home, switching our company so that we received a more substantial discount when combining our home and auto insurance policies. An agent can also be helpful in the event of an accident; he or she can work with the insurance company to slump you through the process of filing a claim and getting all of the money you’re entitled to in the event of an accident. Of course, if you’re unbiased looking for cheap, easy car insurance that meets your state’s minimums, buying direct from a company without an agent may be the best option for you.

Sources:
Edmunds.com
FiveCentNickel.com
Msn.com
UsaToday.com
Wikihow.com

Auto insurance for seniors can be significantly lower in price. In most cases auto insurance providers will not mention this to the consumer. It’s wise to bring the subject of reduced rates on car insurance for seniors to the auto insurance provider’s attention yourself. Remember, these people are in business to make money. It’s the consumer’s responsibility to seek the lowest auto insurance rate possible.

Senior discounts are not the only discounts available to older consumers. Auto insurance for seniors might also include discounts for obscene mileage driving. As we age, we tend to do less joy riding and stay at home more. Even when they level-headed work, senior citizens tend to be more conservative drivers. Once again, be sure to discuss low mileage and other applicable discounts when getting quotes on car insurance for senior citizens.

Auto insurance for seniors might include discounts for any number of other reasons as well. When shopping for car insurance for seniors, seek into all possible auto insurance discounts. Mature driving classes are often available through AAA. These classes will slit your rate for auto insurance significantly. Retired individuals may be in line for a discount of up to 5%. Also ask your insurance provider to keep your safe driving record in mind when assessing your rates.

Sources :

seniorjournal.com

www.42across.com

What kind of discounts should senior citizens look for?

• Mature driver discount- Drivers that are of a certain age will be able to apply for the mature driver discount, which is available on most auto insurance company.

• Safe driver discount- Drivers who have a clean driving report, without many accidents, or moving violations will see a significantly lower auto insurance premium. This discount can be substantial for senior drivers since a proven track record or safe driving will likely be continued.

• Multiple policy discount- The multiple policy discounts is available for any age driver, but drivers who are seniors have a pleasurable chance at having various insurance policies that younger drivers may not have. Combining auto insurance policies such as house, auto, and boat insurance will carve your monthly premium significantly.

• Driving class discount- Completing a safe driver’s class is not only easy, but it helps save money annually on your insurance bill. From personal experience I can say that the driver’s class takes about 4 hours and is incredibly easy to complete.

Are there any auto insurance companies that are better than others for senior citizens?

Choosing an auto insurance company is a personal choice for the individual. The discounts offered for drivers of any age, especially senior citizens, will receive lower rates for their driving record. The auto insurance premium for senior citizens will depend greatly on age, as mentioned earlier; the cost of the premium will vary greatly for senior citizens. I recommend completing a driving class since it shows the auto insurance company that you care about safe driving.

Overall

Overall, the cost of insurance for senior citizens will depend on the same factors as it does for individuals of any age. Senior citizens are entitled to the senior citizen or mature driver discount, but may face higher premiums based on age. Older drivers can receive discounts that younger drivers may not be entitled for, but since auto insurance companies vary there is no best company for seniors. However, the best company you choose will be based on your driving describe and discounts that are available.

Sources:

Personal experience

Increased Production

If you’ve recently noticed that you’ve been paying overages in employee’s wages, then you’re wasting dollars on overtime. How do you know that your employee is being productive, rather than “milking the clock”? With the GPS installed into each vehicle, you can now monitor- Time spent per service call, response time per service call, efficient routing information (saves gas and response time, especially in today’s economy and the fluctuating prices of fuel, break times vs. inactive time, speed monitoring feature (helps promote favorable driving, and in most cases, serves as witness in case your vehicle gets caught in a accelerate trap), and set money on tire costs.

Insurance and Tax Breaks

Car insurance companies offer reward incentives for employing safety measures and devices into your company vehicles. Incentives range from discounted premiums and up to 35% decrease in insurance rates. Here is a general list of Top Insurance Companies that offer insurance breaks for installing GPS systems into their vehicles (qualifies under “Anti-Theft Device”): AAA Insurance, Liberty Mutual, AIG Insurance, Mercury Insurance, Allstate Insurance (CA, TX, NY, FL), Nationwide Insurance (CA), ALFA Insurance (

AL), Progressive Insurance, Farmers Insurance, Safeco Insurance, Fireman’s Fund, USAA Insurance, GEICO, 21st Century Insurance, and Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance (GA).

Also, if you operate your business in any of these states, Anti-theft Device Discounts are spot mandated: Illinois, New Mexico, Kentucky, New York, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Texas, and New Jersey.Note:Before you sign up for any insurance plans or premiums, be definite that you understand the terms and agreement for coverage, before committing to the service.

Under the 2008 Federal Economic Stimulus Act, businesses that purchase GPS tracking devices may qualify for tax breaks. Be sure to check with your tax agent about qualifying your business. Once you design the decision to equip GPS vehicle tracking systems into your mobile fleet, your investment should increase profits many times over. Also, you will be pleased at how easy it is to maintain and monitor your business, virtually at the convenience of your PC desktop or laptop computer.

Today an insured customer of Position Farm went to pay their monthly premium for their insurance policy. The amount was luckily something that the customer paid attention to. We will call the customer Jane Doe. The amount was off a bit. It was almost seven dollars more than usual. Jane Doe questioned the employee of Site Farm regarding the trace. She was told that she would be called wait on after the employee of State Farm called their Underwriter.

Jane Doe was quoted as saying “I knew something fishy was up”. You see, Jane Doe had recently been involved in a car accident where the other driver was cited as being at fault. He was driving with an open container in the vehicle. He pulled illegally in front of her and landed her in physical therapy for nearly a year. The driver was not insured so State Farm was sent the bill. By law State Farm was and is always obligated to pay their insured under the “uninsured motorist” clause which thankfully, Jane Doe had. Failure to pay this and any attempts to raise this rate after due to the claim is highly illegal. Jane Doe knew this as her attorney that handled her case had informed her of this fact.

So as you can glance, what State Farm does not tell you can hurt you. Had Jane Doe not known her rights the company State Farm would have illegally committed a crime. Thankfully she was informed. It is very important to know your rights. Always check your policy carefully. Be sure to question any and all increases. Above all, never feel abominable about being cautious. The only party that would have an issue with you questioning your policy is a unfounded one. Be aware. Stay informed and act accordingly.

* This study was designed to examine OSHA and Florida’s Partnership and provide research in both a sure and negative light.

* Small Business Safety under the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

* The State of Florida and OSHA, working hand in hand to provide a multi-cultural, diverse state with workplace safety.

* Flaws within OSHA and opposition towards OSHA

* Workplace Safety, OSHA reality or technology as the benefactor.

Research consisted of queries with various government and scholastic entities, including but not limited to the US Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, University of South Florida, and the Florida Legislature. Additional sources included literary guides such as the New York Times, the Press Room, and the honorable Henry Bonilla representing the 23rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives along with other fine providers of information. Results of this research, discussed more fully in this narrate, indicate that OSHA, while a boon to the average employee, could be a long uninteresting government run-around to those that truly require workplace investigations of safety hazards.

We would be please to discuss this report and its conclusions with you at your quiz. My team and I thank you for your confidence in selection our group to prepare this comprehensive report.

Table of Contents

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT (OSHA)… 1

HELP OR HINDERANCE 1

Executive Summary 4

OSHA for Small Businesses: Pros and Cons 5

Small Business Safety 5

Florida University System Lend a Guiding Hand 6

OSHA Bridges the Language Gap 7

Florida Follows Federal Guidelines 7

U.S. Department of Labor Honors Exemplary Businesses 7

Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.7

Florida’s Stake in the Agriculture Business 8

Better Safe than Sorry 8

OSHA: A Indispensable View 9

Opposing OSHA 9

OSHA Suffers Lawsuits 10

Workplace Safety 10

The Ergonomics Standards Plan 11

Is the Concept Cost Effective 11

Figure 1 11

Summary of OSHA Cost Errors 11

Inspections as a Deterrent 9

Economic Feasibility 12

Bibliography 13

Executive Summary

Jobsite safety and health is a top priority for workers in the United States. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a federally run agency, was created to ensure that people would have a safe environment to work in.

OSHA has been charged with improving workers’ health and safety since 1970, but few studies claim it improves workplace safety at all. Most cannot find a significant reduction in workplace fatalities or injuries due to OSHA. Studies place the annual cost of OSHA’s regulations as high as $11 billion per year to run the current health and safety policies it has in spot. Even pro-OSHA studies show that the agency annually generates three times more cost than it generates in benefits.

The Three Amiga’s supports restructuring OSHA with reform. The state of Florida currently has in place a collaborative partnership under Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which provides education, training, and technical assistance; and employers are encouraged to avail themselves of this assistance without fear of becoming involved in a major controversy with the agency. OSHA must focus their attention on more significant safety and health problems, so that the regulatory program will achieve greater overall risk reduction benefits.

This study supports the notion of providing employers with the incentive to improve their safety and health performance voluntarily in cooperation with their employees. This study also advocates reforming OSHA’s standards and making them as practical, cost effective, and performance oriented as possible.

Improving safety in the workplace is a team effort. Both employers and employees share the responsibility for safety. There must be provisions that create a role for the employer’s safety program.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration aims to ensure worker safety and health in the U.S. by assisting employers and employees to create better working environments. Since becoming law in 1970, the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act and OSHA have helped cut workplace fatalities by more than 60 percent and illness rates by 40 percent. This success has occurred while the nation’s employment figures have more than doubled from 56 million workers at 3.5 million organizations to more than 115 million workers at 7.1 million sites.[1]Although the statistics appear to support OSHA’s success, others see the agency as a hindrance to worker safety. This report will camouflage both of these views.

Small businesses in Florida engaged in business involving interstate commerce are subject to the regulations of OSHA.[2] There are exceptions to audits and inspections (i.e. ten or fewer employees or a business made up of only immediate family members), but the liability of hazardous working environments are not removed or eliminated.

Under its provisions, an employer must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that cause, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical afflict to employees regardless of the size of the business. Every business in Florida covered by the OSH Act must comply with federal workplace safety and health standards. In South Florida, OSHA’s Area Office in Plantation provides advice education, and assistance to small business people, trade associations, local labor affiliates, and other stakeholders who request help with occupational safety and health issues.[3]

For those small businesses in Florida with eleven-or-more workers, OSHA requires employers to: 1.) say employees of the organization’s safety regulations 2.) Post OSHA Job Safety and Health poster in a permanent place where notices to employees are usually posted 3.) Characterize within eight hours to the OSHA area office (by telephone or in writing) any fatal accident interesting an employee or any other accident resulting in the hospitalization of three or more employees 4.) Maintain up-to-date (within six working days) records of all occupational injuries and illnesses 5.) post the annual summary of the organization’s OSHA No. 200 log on February 1st of the following year and maintain that posting in a conspicuous spot for the entire month of February; 6.) Retain all records of occupational injuries and illnesses for five years after the end of the year; and 7.) Furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious injury to employees. (This catchall enables an OSHA inspector to cite an employer who should have recognized a serious hazard, even if OSHA does not have a specific standard related to that hazard).[4]

Florida University System Lend a Guiding Hand

Here in Florida, small business is fortunate to have a friend in the State University System. The University of South Florida’s “Safety Florida Consultation Program” in Tampa offers free services that can help lower costs. Taking advantage of this service can assist an employer with:

• “Complying with federal safety and health standards to reduce the risk of injuries and OSHA citations.

• “Identifying deficient safety conditions with full-service worksite evaluations and to assess required programs and determine safety needs.

• “Writing detailed reports that define specific actions that can be taken to legal problem areas and improve existing safety programs.

• “Delivering technical guidance and information outlining how to comply with federal standards.

• “Providing printed materials on occupational safety, including copies of OSHA standards, as well as industry and government guidelines.

• “Assisting in implementing safety programs mandated by OSHA. • “Support in the reduction of workplace injuries by providing safety and health programs tailored to a particular business or workplace.”[5]

This has proven very ample to Florida employers who have seen their employee total case incident rate decline by 4.9 percent and their employee lost workday incidence rate decline by 8.9 percent. Furthermore, a study by the Florida Legislature found that more than nine thousand Florida employers received a two-percent reduction in their workers’ compensation insurance rates and research has also shown that lasting improvements in workplace safety are made through consultation, education, and

training, as compared with simply strict enforcement.[6]

OSHA attempts to advance every employee and employer, even those who do not say English as their first language. Particularly of interest in Florida is the fact that the agency maintains a Spanish webpage and Spanish-speaking operators at a national call center during business hours. Various publications, training materials and videos are also provided in Spanish.[7]

Florida Follows Federal Guidelines

In Fiscal Year 2004, OSHA has a staff of 2,200, including 1,123 inspectors and the agency’s appropriation is $457.5 million.[8]Since Florida has not yet established its own health and safety program, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are responsible for ensuring compliance with the law. OSHA, under the leadership of the Secretary of Labor in Washington, may conduct site inspections and require employers to make self-evaluations.

U.S. Department of Labor Honors Exemplary Businesses

The U.S. Department of Labor says that using all the resources available to improve upon health and safety in the workplace, clear exemplary small businesses can request participation in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation in SHARP includes receiving a comprehensive consultation visit, demonstrating exemplary achievements in workplace safety and health by reducing identified hazards and developing and implementing an effective safety and health program. Slight businesses accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption from scheduled annual inspections-not complaint or accident inspections-for one year.[9]

(the Act) encourages States to develop and operate their own job safety and health programs.OSHA approves and monitors Spot plans

Alaska

Arizona

California

Connecticut*

Hawaii

Indiana

Iowa

Kentucky

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Nevada

New Jersey*

New Mexico

New York*

North Carolina

Oregon

Puerto Rico

South Carolina

Tennessee

Utah

Vermont

Virgin Islands*

Virginia

Washington

Wyoming

Note: The Connecticut, New Jersey, Fresh York and Virgin Islands plan coverspublic sector (State and local government) employees only.

One area of great interest to OSHA in the state of Florida is agriculture. Florida agriculture, including forestry and seafood, made an annual economic impact of $53 billion. More than 81,000 people work on some 40,000 farms around the state, and more than 50,000 are employed in other activities related to agriculture. The state’s agriculture enterprises range from large citrus, vegetable and cattle operations to small family-operated farms. Safety in Florida agriculture is especially bewitching to OSHA because: 1.) the state’s agriculture enterprises are diverse; 2.) safety knowledge among workers varies; 3.) manual labor is old-fashioned extensively; and 4.) the climate creates year-round stress.[10]

Compliance Safety and Health Officers from the Department of Labor are authorized to enter Florida businesses at reasonable times and without delay, to inspect a physical plant, quiz an employer and review records required by the OSH Act (OSH Act, Section 1903. Advance watch of inspections is not given, except in cases of apparent imminent peril, in circumstances where the inspection can be more affectively be conducted after regular business hours, when necessary to assure the presence of representatives of the employer and employees, and in other circumstances determined by the OSHA space director (OSH Act, Section 1903.6).[11]

Employee benefits when safety and health are priorities at the workplace. Every worker wants to contribute through the job, even when the primary purpose of work is to make a living. Safety and health add value to the lives of workers in Florida by enabling them to preserve an honest income and provide for their families. Getting hurt or sick on the job is not honest physically painful, but on-the-job injuries and illnesses can also significantly reduce income, increase stress, and hinder a full and enriching family life.

Establishing safe and healthful working environments in Florida require every employer and employee to make safety and health a top priority. The entire workforce-starting at the CEO and downward to the newest employee-must realize the importance of safety and health by acknowledging that these are keys to the small business vision, identity and success.

In this regard, OSHA believes it provides leadership and encouragement to employers and workers in helping them examine and realize the values of safety and health on the job. The agency’s ultimate goal has always been, and continues to be, the reduction of injuries, illnesses and deaths to zero in the workplace.[12]

OSHA: A Critical View

Although The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH ACT) was created to regulate the private sector, it has been accused of having many flaws and some feel OSHA should be abolished altogether. These opponents base their opinions on recent statistics from refutable sources showing a lack of progress, as well as serious financial losses that taxpayers absorb. Additionally OSHA does not cover public workplaces such as school systems and municipal governments.[13] These are only a few of the many criticisms aimed at OSHA.

Some opponents think OSHA is a useless entity that sometimes does more harm than good. A recent article, written by Thomas J. Kneiser and John D. Leeth, states just that. Their paper, appropriately titled Abolishing OSHA, cites the case of the Pymm Thermometer Company,” the second largest manufacturer of mercury thermometers in the United States.

Employees of Pymm worked in a non-ventilated windowless basement with no respirators or protective clothing. Their job was recycling mercury from weak thermometers. For five years, OSHA had known about serious health problems among the plant employees, including asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. Mercury poisoning can damage organs including the brain. The company was not even fined when “puddles” of mercury were found on the floor when inspected.

Finally, when a worker who had formerly worked for the plant stated suspicions that one of his former co-workers was suffering from brain damage, OSHA got involved. Mercury fume levels in the plant were five times higher than the acceptable level, which can cause serious illness and even death. OSHA fined Pymm $1,400 and ordered them to clean up.

Five years later Pymm has not complied with OSHA’s recommendations. When an employee suffering from severe health consequences went to the news media, OSHA enforced the recommendations. However, serious violations were allowed to stand for five years, and the consequences were severe. More than half of Pymms 100 workers, and many of their children also suffer from serious mercury poisoning. [14]

Many firms realize that the likelihood of an inspection is minimal. The typical American worker may glance an OSHA once every seventy-five years, or once every thirteen years if they are employed in a hazardous profession. Companies generally know that they can simply agree to comply with inspector recommendations to avoid future inspections.

OSHA Suffers Lawsuits

OSHA inspectors seem reluctant to shut down companies or impose severe fines even when their findings indicate serious health and safety issues.

Case in point is The United Auto Workers (UAW) and the United Steel Workers of America (USWA) who have united in a joint lawsuit filed October 21, 2003[15]. The lawsuit requests that OSHA set clean air standards in United States factories. Because OSHA took no action, ten years ago when the UAW first petitioned them, millions of workers have been exposed to hazardous chemicals and developed serious health problems.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety,[16] a government agency that researches health problems for employees in the United States, collected evidence about metalworking fluids and suggested a standard of 0.5 milliliters per cubic meter of air for both oil and synthetic metalworking fluids.

OSHA is required to submit a standard or state a reason for not doing so within sixty days of the (NIOS) recommendation. After Four years, OSHA has not complied, and even withdrew the recommendation from consideration and millions of factory workers are still being exposed to hazardous chemicals.

Although several reports have shown a decline inworker fatality, (in 1925 there were 16 fatalities per 100,000 workers, whereas by 1993 that number had dropped to 3.5 per100, 000), there is no real decrease in on the job injury or illness. Fatalities in the workplace had begun to decline even before OSHA, possibly due to safety technology, and the occupational distribution of labor. To the contrary, illness and injury in the workplace tend to follow the economy. The more people employed, the higher the injury rate. OSHA still does not cover the self-employed, who tend to work in higher risk professions and account for 20 percent of workplace fatalities

The Ergonomics Standards Plan

Most recently, OSHA proposed its Ergonomics Standards Program.[17] Ergonomics is the study of the design and arrangement of equipment in a healthy comfortable manner.[18] This Program Standard states that an employee who complains of a

musculo- skeletal disorder (MSD) must complete a complicated series of steps in order to determine whether OSHA covers them. It is a far from cost effective policy.

Furthermore, employers have been effectively dealing with these injuries for many years on a volunteer basis. The efforts of these business owners has decreased stress related injury by 22 percent since 1993.If OSHA implements the Ergonomics Program it will force employers to follow rigid guidelines, thereby reducing flexibility for targeted response. Companies will be forced to spread resources more thinly to address every complaint, many of which are discovered to be invalid, resulting in less effective coverage, as well as higher costs for employees.

Opponents of the Ergonomics View point out that OSHA made a series of mistakes in its financial plan and the costs will likely outweigh the benefits and cause, damage to existing programs employers have in place. The table below shows these errors as well as the corrected estimated cost: [19]

Error or Omission ItemOSHA EstimateOSHA ErrorCorrected Estimate

Computation of Annualized Cost

$4.2 billion

$1.6 billion

$5.8 billion

Compliances baseline

$4.2 billion

$5-$7.5 billion

$9.2-$11.7 billion

Assess potential MSDs

$0

$2.5-$29.7 billion

$2.5-$29.7 billion

Familiarization time

$0.2 billion

$3.1 billion

$3.3 billion

Other time parameters

$0.9 billion

$12.8 billion

$13.7 billion

Training for fixed jobs

$0

$0.6-$1.2 billion

$0.6-$1.2 billion

Increased MSD reports

$0

$5.6-$39.2 billion

$5.6-$39.2 billion

Total

$11-$12 billion

$31.2-$95.1 billion

$35.4-$99.3 billion

(Employment Policy Foundation; fact &fallacy: April 10, 2002)

OSHA’s costs far outweigh the benefits. According to an article published in The Yale Journal on Regulation,[20] and written by Robert Hahn and John Hind, it costs OSHA $11 billion per year to race the unusual health and safety policies it has in place. The benefit to workers through health care costs and injury reduction they estimate is $3.6 billion per year. Even best case reports expose the costs outweigh the gains three to one.

In conclusion, many proponents feel OSHA would benefit if supplied with a larger budget and more resources, but it already spends an exorbitant amount of taxpayer dollars on programs that are largely ineffectual. Abolishing OSHA completely may leave some workers largely unprotected, so the reply probably lies in complete reformation. OSHA is in the business of reform, but who will reform OSHA?

Bird E., Ronald; Fact & fallacy; Analysis Misses the Target in Predicting Ergonomics Rule;

Bonilla, Henry; The Workplace Preservation Act;; Remarks

(4 March 1999)

ErgoDynamo.com;

The Florida Legislature. “Addendum to OPPAGA Report No. 97-25 Agency Response from Dept. of Labor & Employment Security.” January 1998. (4 June 2004).

HR.BLR.Com; Florida Safety and Health;

Kneisner J.,Thomas; Leeth P, John; Regulation; The Cato Review of Business and Government;AbolishingOSHA; (2003)

Lehtola, Carol J., Charles M. Brown, and William J. Becker. “Inspections, Citations, and Proposed Penalties – OSHA Standard 1903.” University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. November 2000. (5 June 2004).

The Original York Times; Work Position Safety is Growing Concern;

Olexa, Michael T., Aaron Leviten, and Kelly Samek. “Florida Solid and Hazardous Waste Regulation Handbook: Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).”University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. December 2003. (6 June 2004).

Polopolus, Leo C., Michael T. Olexa, Fritz Roka, and Carol Fountain. “2003 Handbook of Employment Regulations Affecting Florida Farm Employers and Workers: Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) [Federal].” University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. December 2002. (5 June 2004).

Press Room; UAW and USAW Sue Secretary of Labor…;

< http://www.uswa.org/uswa./program/content/616.php> (21 October 2003)

Smith, Sandy; Safety Zones; Unions sue to Force OSHA to Set Clean Air Standards in Factories;; (22 October 2003)

University of South Florida Consultation Program. “Ask USF Safety Florida to Protect Your Profits with an Effective Safety Program.” n.d. (4 June 2004).

U.S. Department of Labor. “OSHA Serve for New Businesses Fact Sheet.” 2002.

(4 June 2004).

U.S. Department of Labor. “OSHA Facts.” 2004.

(7 June 2004).

U.S. Department of Labor. “OSHA Handbook for Small Businesses.” 1996 (Revised),

(4 June 2004).

[1] U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA Facts, 2004, available at http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/oshafacts.html; Internet; accessed 7 June, 2004.

[2] Leo C. Polopolus et al., 2003 Handbook of Employment Regulations Affecting Florida Farm Employees and Workers: Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) [Federal], December 2002, available at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FE408; 5 June 2004.

[3] U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA Help for New Businesses Fact Sheet, 2002, available at http://www.

Osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/newbusinesses-factsheet.pdf; 4 June 2004.

[4]Polopolus, 2003 Handbook of Employment Regulations Affecting Florida Farm Employers and Workers: Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) [Federal].

[5] University of South Florida Consultation Program, Ask USF Safety Florida to Protect Your Profits with an Effective Safety Program, n.d., available from http://www.safetyflorida.usf.edu/Pdf/Safetypr.pdf; 4 June 2004.

[6]

[7] U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA Facts.

[8] Michael T. Olexa et al., Florida Solid and Hazardous Waste Regulations Handbook: Occupational Safety and Health Act, December 2003, available at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FE447; Internet; accessed 6 June 2004.

[9] U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA Facts, 2004, 32-33, available from http://www.osha.gov.as/opa/ oshafacts.html; Internet; accessed 5 June 2004.

[10]Carol J. Lehtola et al., Inspections, Citations, and Proposed Penalties-OSHA Standard 1903, November 2000, available from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_OA059; 5 June 2004.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid,

[13]HR.BLR.COM; State HR Answers & Tools Online; Florida Safety and Healthhttp://hr1.blr.com/Article.cfm/Nav/3.12.48.0.25134.25134>

[14] Kneisner J., Thomas and Leeth D. John; Abolishing OSHA, 2003;

[15]Press Room; October 21, 2003;< http://www.uswa.org/uswa/program/content/616.php>

[16]The New York Times; Work Place Safety is Growing Concern http://www.saja.org/stories/safety.html

[17]ErgoDynamo.com:

[19] Bird E. Ronald: Osha Analysis Misses the Target in Predicting Ergonomics Rule Cost, fact & fallacy.

[20][20] Kneisner J., Thomas and Leeth D. John; Abolishing OSHA, 2003;

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