Week ahead: OSHA rule on reporting workplace injuries under scrutiny

The Labor Department is finding itself in Republican crosshairs once more.

A House Education and Workforce subcommittee will hold a hearing next Wednesday on the department’s controversial new workplace safety regulations. http://1.usa.gov/1XEJGmK

{mosads}Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently finalized requirements for companies to report workplace injuries and illnesses on a public website. http://bit.ly/1Wqn4r6

The rules apply to companies in hazardous industries like manufacturing, construction and farming.

Labor advocates say the move will pressure employers into providing safe workplaces, but business groups call it an attempt at “publicly shaming” companies.

The hearing comes with the Labor Department already fending off Republican attacks on overtime pay regulations; a new rule for financial advisers; the union persuader rule; and silica exposure limits.

The hearing will provide Republicans with a forum to air their grievances over this latest Labor Department rule.

Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, on Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee Task Force on Executive Overreach is meeting to discuss the growth of federal regulations and the burdens they impose on the economy.

“Over the past several decades, federal regulatory agencies have grown dramatically both in power and size,” task force Chairman Steve King (R-Iowa) said in a statement. “While the federal bureaucracy is largely unaccountable to the American people, its actions have significant implications for our nation and economy.” http://1.usa.gov/1U51th5

On Tuesday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife will hold a hearing on the implementation of the Waters of the United States rule. http://1.usa.gov/2564Hch

That same day, the House Judiciary Committee holds a hearing titled “Examining the Allegations of Misconduct Against IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.” http://1.usa.gov/27IepUf House Republicans are ramping up their push to impeach the agency chief. http://bit.ly/1XF3gPL

On Tuesday, over in the Senate, the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee is holding a hearing on plans to hand off oversight of the internet domain system. http://1.usa.gov/1VeeZEk

On Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee will meet to discuss mine safety. http://1.usa.gov/1NCf1Ek

That same day, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee will meet to discuss the science behind the Zika virus. http://1.usa.gov/23ZYBrp

The hearing comes as the House and Senate are at odds over funding the effort to control the spread of Zika, which can cause severe birth defects. Senators approved a $1.1 billion package, with the House clearing $622 million in aid. http://bit.ly/27IfOud

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