Timothy J. Barber Act
Summary
The Timothy J. Barber Act directs the Secretary of Labor to conduct a study on the effectiveness of spending by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) related to technical and compliance assistance for heat-related illnesses. The study will assess the effectiveness of this spending at both national and regional levels. It also aims to determine how to make such spending more effective.
The Secretary of Labor is required to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment. This report will include the study's results and recommendations for legislative or other actions to improve the effectiveness of OSHA's spending on heat-related illness assistance.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Ms. Tenney and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the Timothy J. Barber Act will lead to a comprehensive review of OSHA's spending on heat-related illness prevention. This review could result in more efficient allocation of resources and improved strategies for protecting workers from heat-related illnesses.
The recommendations from the study could lead to new legislation or changes in OSHA's policies and procedures. Ultimately, this aims to reduce the incidence of heat-related illnesses in the workplace.
Potential Benefits
- Improved worker safety through more effective OSHA programs.
- Data-driven recommendations for legislative action related to workplace safety.
- Increased awareness of heat-related illness risks and prevention strategies.
- Potential for better resource allocation within OSHA.
- Enhanced compliance assistance for employers.
Potential Disadvantages
- The study itself will require resources and time, potentially diverting funds from other OSHA activities in the short term.
- The report's recommendations may not be fully implemented or may face political opposition.
- The study focuses on spending effectiveness, potentially overlooking other factors contributing to heat-related illnesses.
- There may be a delay in implementing any improvements due to the time required for the study and subsequent action.
- The scope is limited to OSHA's activities, potentially missing broader systemic issues related to workplace safety.
Constitutional Alignment
The Timothy J. Barber Act appears to align with the general welfare clause of the US Constitution, as it aims to improve worker safety and reduce heat-related illnesses. Specifically, the preamble states the goal to "promote the general Welfare".
Furthermore, Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to regulate commerce, which can be interpreted to include workplace safety standards. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
However, the extent of federal power in this area is subject to ongoing debate, particularly regarding the balance between federal and state authority.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).