Regulating Work in Confined Spaces


 

Publication Date: January 2009

Publisher: National Center for Policy Analysis (U.S.)

Author(s): N. Mike Helvacian

Research Area: Government; Labor

Keywords: construction; confined spaces; OSHA; work regulations

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Since its inception in 1970, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been criticized for imposing large costs on businesses while producing only minimal improvements in workplace safety. OSHA is now required to show that the benefits of a proposed regulation outweigh the costs of complying with it. However, OSHA's cost-benefit analysis is often flawed.