News Releases Printer Friendly Murray Introduces Major Legislation to Protect Workers Across America

Press Release

Legislation would update and improve the OSH Act

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) reintroduced the Protecting America's Workers Act (PAWA), which amends and updates the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) to make sure that workers are protected in the 21st century economy. Murray spoke on the Senate floor this afternoon to urge her colleagues to support this critical legislation.

"Every worker, in every industry, deserves to be confident that while they are working hard and doing their jobs, their employers are doing everything they can to protect them," said Senator Murray on the Senate floor today. "That…is why I am so proud to reintroduce the Protecting America's Workers Act. This legislation is a long-overdue update to the…OSH Act.

"Since that groundbreaking law was passed over 40 years ago, American industry has changed significantly. Businesses have become more complex, workers are performing 21st century tasks, but the government is still using a 1970 approach to regulations to protect employees."

"…Nothing can bring back the workers we have lost in communities like Anacortes. But we owe it them to make sure workers everywhere are truly protected on the job. So I urge my colleagues to support the Protecting America's Workers Act. And to keep working with us to make workplaces safer and healthier across America."

PAWA works to address workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths, which have remained persistent despite the administration of the OSH Act. Specifically, PAWA expands OSH Act protections to include state, county, municipal and U.S. government employees; it increases whistleblower protections, so workers can sound the alarm on unsafe working conditions without fear of retaliation; and improves OSHA reporting, inspection, and enforcement.

These improvements will help the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensure safe and healthful work environments in industries that have outpaced decades old government regulation. This legislation was sponsored by Senator Kennedy in previous Congresses, and has the support of the AFL-CIO.

Original Senate co-sponsors of this legislation are Senators Akaka, Blumenthal, Brown (OH), Franken, Harkin, Lautenberg, Rockefeller, Shaheen, and Whitehouse.

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