NOSHA Act: Federal Workplace Safety Standards and OSHA Eliminated

The NOSHA Act fully repeals the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and abolishes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) entirely (SEC. 2). This means the federal government would no longer set or enforce workplace safety standards across the country.

Gutting Workplace Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 has been the cornerstone of workplace safety in the U.S., setting standards to prevent injuries and illnesses on the job. OSHA, the agency created by the Act, is responsible for enforcing these standards through inspections, investigations, and, when necessary, penalties for violations. By eliminating both, the NOSHA Act removes the core federal protections for worker safety. This bill doesn't just tweak regulations; it wipes the slate clean.

Real-World Impacts: Who Feels This?

Imagine a construction worker relying on OSHA standards for scaffolding safety, or a healthcare worker depending on regulations about handling hazardous materials. Without OSHA, those specific federal protections disappear. This could hit workers in high-risk industries—construction, manufacturing, healthcare—especially hard. For example, a roofer might suddenly find their employer is no longer federally required to provide certain fall protection equipment, directly increasing their risk of injury. Or a factory worker might face pressure to work with faulty machinery because there's no federal agency to hold the company accountable.

Challenges and Conflicts

Beyond the immediate safety concerns, the NOSHA Act raises questions about consistency. Without federal standards, workplace safety rules could vary wildly from state to state, creating a confusing and potentially dangerous patchwork. Companies might be tempted to cut corners on safety to save money, knowing there's no federal watchdog. The bill effectively removes a major check on unsafe practices, and it's unclear what, if anything, would replace it. The incentive to underreport injuries and illnesses is also a concern.