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Show LABOR 1 July and January, 1972. There are 4.1 million workplaces covered by the Act. This means it would take 170 years at the present rate, to finally inspect each work site.'?" Current amendments the job safety bill being considered by Congress would cripple even further. • Rep. Paul Findley (R Ill.) tacked on an amendment to the 1973 Labor-HEW Appropriations bill (HR 15417) on June 15, 1972, which would limit the jurisdiction of the Act, for one year, to those firms employing over 25 people. The effect of the amendment would be to exclude for one year 90 per cent of all work places and 30 Housed amen ment to limit coverage per cent of all workers now covered by the Act.> The Amendment was passed by the House by a teller vote of 213 to 154 with 133 • Republicans voting for it and only 21 voting against. by Rep. David W. Dennis (R Ind.) deleting $20 Occupational Health and Safety Administration was same day. An amendment million for the rejected the • The Senate Appropriations Committee headed by the late Allen Ellender (D La.) reported a Labor-HEW appropriations bill reflect ing an entirely different approach to enforcement problems of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Senate bill eliminated the House amendment limiting the jurisdiction of the Act, and instead, increased funding for the agency by $10.8 million so that 400 more inspectors could be hired and the agency's current satutory obligation could be fulfilled. The funds would also be used to establish programs to help small businesses adjust to the new regulations. But the Senate floor, an amendment by Senator Carl Curtis (R Neb.) was passed June 27, 1972, limiting for one year the jurisdiction of the Job Safety Act to only those businesses with 15 or more employees. The amendment would give a year's moratorium to 85 per cent of the covered work places and 20 per cent of the • on Curtis ::::,:nt Senate covered workers.w President Nixon has repeatedly threatened to veto the Laborappropriations bill with its increased funding for job safety inspection, despite the presence of the year moratorium on small • HEW business coverage. The President's action on the bill should be acid test of his true commitment to job safety. an Veto threat |
