Under Trump, We've Had Fewer Federal OSHA Inspections and More Workplace Fatalities

Since he was elected, President Donald Trump has been doing his corporate friends favors by cutting back on OSHA enforcement activities and rolling back rules that protect workers.

Here are just a few of the harmful things that the Trump Administration has done for workers’ safety and health:

• Cut back on OSHA inspectors and inspections. There are fewer inspectors on staff to hold companies responsible for health and safety standards than at any time in the last 40 years, and fewer inspections have been conducted since Trump became President than in any three-year period during the Obama or Bush administrations. Unsurprisingly, workplace fatalities and catastrophes have increased in that same time period.
• Issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to repeal two regulations for every new regulation issued, a big favor to big business that puts workers' lives at risk. 
• Revoked an electronic reporting requirement for large employers to provide detailed injury data to OSHA, meaning that serious safety concerns can be concealed from the public.
• Overturned rules meant to strengthen chemical plants’ prevention and preparedness requirements for explosions and other catastrophes, putting workers, the public, and first responders in danger.
• Made it easier for new chemicals to come onto the market while ignoring known health concerns and worker risks.
• Trump’s proposed FY 2020 budget includes slashing the Department of Labor’s budget by 10%, eliminating the Chemical Safety Board, cutting coal mine enforcement, and getting rid of worker safety and health training programs.