Faceoff: Is OSHA a Bureaucratic Nightmare, or Necessary Govt Oversight to Save Lives?selfnews Post OSHA was formed in 1971, and now has an annual budget approaching $600 million. It is officially charged by Congress with overseeing safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. (Source) Additionally, its 2013 budget request seeks $5 million in additional funding for its whistleblower program. To show just a couple of the stories we have posted that illustrate conflicting opinions about OSHA, please read Heather Callaghans article entitled, OSHA and NJ Refuse Healthcare Worker Flu Shot Mandates, wherein OSHA supported Governor Chris Christies pocket veto of a New Jersey bill to mandate flu vaccines for healthcare workers; part of OSHAs statement said: While we are supportive of the Healthy People 2020 goal of a 90% vaccination rate, we have seen no evidence that demonstrates that such a high rate is in fact necessary. Furthermore, the current influenza vaccine is no magic bullet Then read Anthony Gucciardis article entitled, Major Group Says Government Diluted Fiberglass Cancer Results, wherein OSHA either has been asleep at the wheel in protecting workers from its own 1994 safety report showing fiberglass as a hazard, or is being steamrolled by the larger agencies EPA and NIH who reversed previous assertions that fiberglass was a carcinogen, resulting in OSHA listing fiberglass as safe for workers. Infographic, additional analysis and resources posted below Some additional points: Wasteful Half: Saving Lives Half: The disparate presentations should keep us questioning the efficacy of any regulatory agency, especially as they co-mingle with or are dictated to by other dangerous government agencies. Bureaucracies often like to cite single successes, but if one zooms out to look at the big picture its often a very different view. Other resources for differing opinions: Read other articles by selfnews Post Here linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 