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TRADE NEWS RELEASE
Monday, February 4, 2002
Contact: Bill Wright
Phone: (202) 693-1999

WASHINGTON -- President Bush has requested a $437 million budget for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Fiscal Year 2003, including a $2.75 million increase in compliance assistance, outreach, and training activities, OSHA Administrator John L. Henshaw announced today.

"This budget will give us the resources we need to help ensure workers' safety and health, while maintaining fiscal responsibility," said Henshaw. "It is a strong and sound budget that supports our priorities of leadership, effective enforcement, outreach and education, and partnerships."

The budget request reflects an approximate one percent general decrease from the current appropriation affirming in a war-time budget the important role OSHA plays in homeland security. "Workplace safety and health is a crucial component of homeland security and we will continue to focus much of our efforts in ensuring that employers and workers have the tools and guidance they need to be safe at their jobs."

Under the President's proposal, OSHA will receive $60.3 million for expanded outreach activities and compliance assistance, which includes training and information exchanges and technical assistance to employers. This also includes an increase of $250,000 for new computer-based outreach products, such as the agency's "e-Tools," $500,000 to increase technology-based training, and $500,000 to improve compliance assistance training for OSHA's front-line staff. In addition, $4 million will be allocated for a new training grant program, replacing the current Susan Harwood grants program.

The enforcement component of the proposed budget includes funds and personnel to focus resources on activities that have the greatest impact on worker safety and health. OSHA will target inspections on the worst hazards and at the most dangerous workplaces. A total of $161.1 million is earmarked for enforcement and anticipates the agency will conduct 1,300 more inspections in FY2003 than this year.

The new budget keeps state programs activities at equivalent levels as this year ($89.8 million). However, the budget request does include an increase of $1.5 million to state consultation programs to help small businesses reduce injuries and illnesses.

OSHA will use $14.2 million for the development, review and evaluation of safety and health standards. Said Henshaw: "We will continue to base all standards on clear and sensible priorities and then review existing rules to revise or eliminate obsolete and confusing standards."

(EDITOR's NOTE: The FY03 budget breakdown chart follows this press release).

*   Full cost for Pensions and Health Benefits (Legislation Pending)
** Includes 13 reimbursable and 3 allocation FTE.