On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, former Occupational Safety and Health Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary and health and safety advocate Jordan Barab discussed the critical state of worker safety in America. As the author of the Confined Space newsletter and an expert with decades of experience, Barab offered a detailed perspective on the underfunding of OSHA, the enforcement process of safety laws and the real stories behind workplace fatalities.
A major theme of today’s conversation was OSHA’s persistent underfunding and limited workforce. Barab said OSHA’s current budget—approximately $630 million annually—only allows for a workplace inspection once every 185 years. Despite these constraints, OSHA has helped reduce injuries and fatalities since its inception, but its size and resource limitations mean that only a small percentage of workplaces receive meaningful oversight. This lack of funding and manpower translates directly into preventable injuries and deaths that are not being systematically addressed, Barab said.
Next, Barab discussed enforcement challenges, including the often low penalties imposed on employers that put workers at risk. Fines for violations have historically been relatively low. While Congress raised the maximum penalties in 2016, they remain a minor expense for all but the smallest companies. The enforcement process often results in penalties being lowered further during negotiations, as reaching a settlement and ensuring problems are addressed typically outweighs collecting the full amount of fines. This creates an environment where some employers may view these violations as merely another cost of doing business, rather than a deterrent to unsafe practices.
Finally, Barab highlighted the anonymity of most workplace deaths and how public awareness is sorely lacking. Through his Confined Space newsletter, he attempts to bring attention to the lives lost weekly, noting that while about 100 workers die each week, only a fraction receive any media attention. Certain groups, such as Hispanic workers, are overrepresented in fatality reports, often due to riskier jobs and a lack of union protections. Barab recalled particularly preventable tragedies like trench collapses and falls, emphasizing that many fatalities stem from hazards that are widely known and easily controlled. He hopes his work will continue to shed light on these issues, pushing for a safer future for all workers.
For more from Barab on the state of workplace safety, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast.
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