New DOL Budget Figures Show Little Increase in MSHA Programs
According to recent figures released at a DOL presentation May 12, 2009, MSHA will not be receiving much in the way of additional funding for its programs. While OSHA get a 10 percent budget increase, MSHA will only get 2 percent. The DOL defends their position saying that over the past several years, MSHA has received large budget increases, which have allowed the agency to step up its enforcement significantly.
However, for instance, the state grants program under MSHA, an $8 million program will not be receiving any additional monies in FY 2010. As far as enforcement efforts, enforcement at MSHA, presently a $237 million program for 2010 is budgeted at a little over $242 million, barely a 2% increase. From MSHA’s Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, the 2010 budget figures show barely any increase ($50,000) in its $3 million program to promulgate new regulations.
And funding for compliance assistance to employers, which could help employers comply with mine safety regulations, working with MSHA as partners, presently is non-existent. According to the DOL presentation, “…MSHA’s enforcement programs do not set aside funding for compliance assistance activities. MSHA offers compliance assistance to labor unions, employers and individual workers to help them understand the safety and health laws and fully comply with them…”
Furthermore, mine safety itself isn’t highlighted in any of the budget materials. Is protecting the nation’s miners simply not a priority for the Department?