News flash! It’s hot down in the Gulf. Because of that heat, but despite the urgency of the clean-up, OSHA regulations say that clean-up workers can work just ten minutes per hour. We assume they get paid for sitting in the shade and drinking Gatorade the other 50 minutes each hour.
Buck Lee of the Santa Rosa Island Authority revealed this tasty little morsel on Hardball.
Even Chris Matthews was so horrified by this idiotic regulation that he ended the interview by giving Lee the White House phone number so he can ask for help.
Keep dialing, Buck. Bobby Jindal and Haley Barbour have been calling that number for weeks and getting nothing but busy signals.
View Comments (17)
Finally the truth can be told.
OSHA is actually a Socialist union front organization started during the corrupt Nixon administration in 1971 ALLEGEDLY for the purpose of establishing industrial safety guide-lines to prevent worker injury.
In reality it's goal is to overburden all workplaces with multitudes of rules and regulations that are nearly impossible to follow, eventually causing company bankruptcy either through "injured" worker and Government lawsuits for non-compliance to regulations or by slow financial strangulation as the union "workers" work fewer hours but receive full pay (plus overtime if they have to wait for the union ladder-mover to move the ladder so they can continue to paint the next section of the ceiling).
Historically, it's a known fact that OSHA regulations have failed to prevent even one case of workplace injury, but have greatly enhanced the lives of all union "workers" by providing them plenty of free time during the work-day so that they don't become dangerously fatigued or over-heated while still "earning" their full union-negotiated pay.
Jimmy Hoffa, where are you when we need you?
Kimmy, I've read many of your comments on various topics and you come across as quite intelligent and well educated. With all due respect, may I suggest you do a bit of research on OSHA to either verify or refute the statement that " OSHA should not be under union control"? This is not a flame or attack, just a simple request to set the record straight one way or the other. The general assumption currently seems to be that OSHA is just a union-controlled scam to get out of work. I believe your statement as to OSHA's union affiliation or lack thereof would be respected.
I'm not a fan of big Govt. agencies, but just occasionally they do get something right.
If you wanted to make a real point YOU should have found out if OSHA is under union control or not. Present the case that it isn't to refute my statement. Then you could have won your argument. In any case...
OSHA on its face presents himself as an independent outfit (I am sure OSHA people really believe they are), however if one does look under the rug one can see unions using OSHA for their advantage. OSHA shouldn't let that happen, but it can and it does happen.
Overall OSHA is a federal government agency, however unions CAN use OSHA for their own purposes. Unions can call OSHA and be there when OSHA inspects, be in all meetings with employers and OSHA and pressure OSHA to do something if the union is large and powerful enough (even if it is unreasonable) or to pressure OSHA's timetable to make things happen. If you read websites for random unions you would see OSHA links that will provide you with that information. If you belong to a union you may see it on your own union's website and its affiliations to OSHA and how successful the union has been in partnering with OSHA or using OSHA to make things work for their advantage, etc.
By allowing things like the Alliance Program http://www.laborcommission.utah.gov/UOSH/Outreach/ConstructionCD/www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/index.html http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/whatis.html OSHA has opened the doors to unions and other organizations to mandate and dictate labor safety standards.
NOW am I against labor safety standards? No. Do I want to prevent unnecessary fatalities in the workplace? Absolutely. Do I care about workers? Yes. However I am afraid of unions and their intentions to partner with an outfit that should be independent. Unfortunately not all unions are saints and many use the Federal Government for unreasonable ends, ends that are not in any way good for many people in or out of unions.
Is OSHA under unions control? Not on face value. Or else no one would admit it even if it was. Is there a possibility? Absolutely. Are there signs that unions uses OSHA? Yep.
That is the problem. I believe that unions here were involved. It is unreasonable to pay someone one hour worth of work YET they only work 10 minutes due to heat. It buggles the mind. If they got paid 10 minutes worth of work then absolutely go with it, but it seems that they were paid for the whole hour. That is up to IHTM to clarify. It doesn't make sense if that is the case. If that is the case, the only conclusion I can come up with that an union involved itself on the matter. It is possible to work out in the heat for a restrictive period of time without incuring any hurt or pain or issue to oneself. C. Strasburger has made good points on the matter that I won't have to repeat. I notice that his statements weren't directly answered by you either, which I find interesting.
In reply - quoting:
"Overall OSHA is a federal government agency"
No, it's quite obviously an evil union-created and controlled plot that brought about the creation of an evil US government agency. What they're doing down in the Gulf proves it.
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"however unions CAN use OSHA for their own purposes".
So can non-union workers. Anybody can "play" the system if they're smart enough.
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"It is possible to work out in the heat for a restrictive period of time without incuring any hurt or pain or issue to oneself."
Hey, what's with this "restrictive period of time"? Can't have it both ways. If those evil union slackers in the Gulf want to get paid they can work the full hour for their pay with maybe a 2 minute break per hour for water if they've cleaned up enough oil. They aren't getting paid to sit around working on their tan.
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By the way, exactly WHAT was the work environment that was allegedly so bad that the EVIL UNION people could work only 10 minutes? So far no one has said anything substantial. About the only place on a ship that is really hot is the engine room. Were they inside or outside? Outside there's plenty of fresh air and gentle, cooling ocean breezes. And the report didn't mention any hazardous fumes from the oil, so it's probably just another evil union scam.
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My apologies for seeming to side with the evil unions and the evil union puppet OSHA. I see now that in my inappropriate attempt to consider both sides I didn't adhere to the TRUE AND CORRECT information and thus made an erroneous judgement by asuming that the evil OSHA was created for worker safety, when in reality it was an evil self-serving ploy by the evil unions to reduce the work-load of their members. I will be careful in the future to fully investigate a subject before presuming to voice my insignificant opinion.
Mea culpa! Mea culpa! MEA MAXIMA CULPA!
Amen brother. OSHA may be a government "agency" but is on a short leash with the trade unions. Necessary? Like unions, OSHA has outlived it's usefullness in today's world.
I just finished CE for my license and took lead containment for my elective. What a joke. This little bit of nonsense alone will add a couple of thousand to most jobs in older homes, offices, etc. Does one need to be careful? Sure, but these clowns at EPA & OSHA are using a 20 lb sledgehammer to drive a finish nail.
And the illegals (immigrants and contractors) won't do it anyway. The irony is most government agencies are exempt from their own rules.
It does matter if it is union controlled, because if it is, it means that the unions are looking out for themselves not necessarily for the workers. It doesn't make sense to pay someone for an hour's worth of work and they only work ten minutes. This is EXACTLY the reason behind Obama's refusal to allow foreign people to come and help, it was to allow unions to "work" these jobs and by "working" these jobs the unions allow for by lack of a better word theft. Theft of time and money. If it is union controlled one has to look into that as being a primary reason for this stupidity not because it is for the safety of the workers.
There can be BETTER guidelines that both safeguards the workers' health AND make their work efficient and timely and on budget.
Don't argue that Kimmy....what I was referring to was OSHA, specifically. I am fully aware of odumbo's union affiliations....and the fact that unions are specifically the problem in the workforce.
Your last comment intrigues me though....since when have any union controlled project or anything else union for that matter EVER fallen within budget and on time?
That is the problem. OSHA should not be under union control. It should be independent and truly concern themselves on the safety of worker YET present alternatives on how to work safety yet efficiently. I know, I know... I am dreaming. Everything government stamped is foul.
Hey folks, not going over to the OTHER side but......
OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is correct on this one. They produce the work-place safety regulations that US employers HAVE to follow or get their butts sued off if an employee is injured/dies.
We had the same type of regs in the Navy under the name NAVOSHA. The situation is, these people are doing strenuous work presumably in a high temperature/humidity situation. This can rapidly lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. To help prevent this, OSHA has established approximate work/rest time limits based on type of work and temperature.
Check this site -http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_4.html#iii:4_3 - and see TABLE III:4-2. PERMISSIBLE HEAT EXPOSURE THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE about half-way down the page.
Prolonged heat CAN be a sudden killer. So, this isn't some union ploy to get a free lunch, but a necessary requirement to keep real people, people who are doing a hard job in a hostile environment, from dying.
No sarc or BS this time. Totally serious.
Mr USN, that's crap.....used to be, people could work all day out in the sun and that was the way it was, and more people thrived then than they do now. Me, I used to run marathons....no longer do, but still run and do my training in the worst heat of the day... It is all about acclimation. I wouldn't pay any of my employees to a day, but allow them to only work a couple of hours.... And, you might want to talk to the mexicans.....they will work and honest day, all day, out in the sun.
This is part of the problem with America today....no one wants to do what needs to be done, but they sure do want to bitch about it all day long, yet they want what they want.... The border situation is case in point.....
If you are a Navy retiree (I was an LtCdr), then you know that complaining about having to work in the heat is a lame excuse.....stop patronizing these people! It just makes you look bad......
"Mr USN," --
Excuse me LtCdr, the correct form of address for an E-6 is still Petty Officer, thank you. You are ( or were ) the MR., from your butter-bars on up. Nie vergessen!
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"used to be, people could work all day out in the sun and that was the way it was"
And they never took a break, just kept hammering nails or hoeing the corn until sundown, grabbing a dipper of water as they passed by while carrying a bale of hay?
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"Me, I used to run marathons….no longer do, but still run and do my training in the worst heat of the day"
By personal choice, with rest/water as deemed approproiate?
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"I wouldn’t pay any of my employees to a day, but allow them to only work a couple of hours…."
Reasonable, depending on the type of job / environment.
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"you might want to talk to the mexicans….."
Sorry Joe, no hablo wetback.
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"This is part of the problem with America today….no one wants to do what needs to be done, but they sure do want to bitch about it all day long,"
Yep, back in the Navy we called them Chiefs and Officers. They bitched, the enlisted people worked. ;-)
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"If you are a Navy retiree (I was an LtCdr),"
Retired - 5 GOLD hash-marks, 3 strips of ribbons, bad feet and back from the 12-16 hour days on a terrazzo deck.
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"then you know that complaining about having to work in the heat is a lame excuse…..stop patronizing these people!"
Please point out where it states the evil union workers were complaining about the heat. Did I miss that? Must have been the evil union shop steward that ratted to the evil OSHA agent, who then can riding in on a demonic red stallion and pulled out the Big Book of Evil OSHA Rules and threatened the saintly non-union boss with severe reprisals if the evil OSHA Rules were not complied with to the letter.
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Still wondering re prior experience......
Just one question since I assume LtCdr means Navy officer. Did you ever stand duty on an aircraft carrier, in the engine room during GQ with Zebra and circle William set, while down at Gitmo for RefTra?
Yep, E-6, retired after 20 and now get the monthly alimony check from Uncle Sam.
Just one question since I assume LtCdr means former Navy officer. Did you ever stand duty on an aircraft carrier in the engine room during GQ with Zebra and circle William set, while down at Gitmo for RefTra?
And another thing......DRINK WATER......LOTS OF IT. It's basic physiology......and it stops heat stroke. Most people don't get enough, and the "gubment", that's here to help says 8-8oz glasses a day is what you should have......well, that's more proof positive that the "gubment", who's here to help, just doesn't know what its doing or talking about.....they are more than just a little off.....seems pretty typical, especially today....
It really doesn't matter if OSHA is union controlled or not, though it may be, and wouldn't surprise me.
This IS what and how unions operate....useless and overpaid. I find it interesting that this bunch of idiots, elected and otherwise in our government don't seem to have any idea that unions are, in fact, a major part of why this country is in so much trouble. History escapes this incompetent baboon of a president and all the uneducted on the left of reality.....the funny thing is....history never lies....only liberals do....
I wonder if OSHA is union controlled...
I agree he didn't look horrified.
I don't know, Chris didn't sound very horrified at all.
OSHA - yet another fiasco brought to you by those scholars in Washington.
Remember in November.