Report Faults OSHA?

There is a short article in the NY Times this morning that seems to indicate that OSHA didn't do it's job under the Bush Administration. Since the article is short, it appears as follows:

"The Bush administration failed to properly enforce worker health and safety laws designed to monitor employers with a history of violations, a report found. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration did not follow correct procedures in 97 percent of sampled cases in the Enhanced Enforcement Program, according to the report issued by the Office of Inspector General at the Labor Department. It recommended a task force be set up to improve the program to reduce the risk of death and injury at worksites with hazardous conditions."

But, I'm not sure that it's fair to OSHA. If you've been around the safety profession for very long, you know that Republican Administrations tend to favor business and Democratic Administrations favor labor. And, OSHA (like every other federal governmental department) takes it's cue from the boss - the President! So, in 2009, most of us have expected "stepped up enforcement." But from my perspective, these OSHA people have been doing a pretty good job. I don't always agree with them, but that's to be expected. And in defense of the previous administration's policies, the improved cooperative efforts have helped. The big stick approach is often necessary, but not always.

That said, I'd rather they visit some other employer's worksite. I'll call when I need help.