It will optimize safety in this country which has been my aim since I was a safety officer with an oil well servicing company and a Wyoming legislator. Democratic attempts to gut the bill failed. One amendment offered by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., was accepted unanimously. It would allow individuals with 10 years of previous expertise in specific safety areas to qualify as independent safety consultants. The SAFE Act would set up a program for OSHA to qualify expert safety consultants to assist businesses correct safety problems and comply with the law.
Many large companies hire their own safety consultants, but it's harder for small businesses.
As an incentive Enzi's bill provides for one year free from civil fines if the business has acted in good faith and implemented a safety plan under the guidance of the OSHA-certified safety professional. The bill also would allow, but not require businesses to set up drug testing programs and would require continuing education for OSHA personnel. An earlier version of the SAFE Act passed the Labor Committee in Oct. 1997, but time ran out before it could be called to the Senate floor. Enzi said the bill has narrowed in focus and support has expanded. Time is not as tight this time around.