Home > Blog > National Federation of Independent Business opposes safety programs

Maria Contreras-Sweet has recently been nominated to head the Small Business Administration. The Houston Chronicle has reported that many business organizations have already been speaking up with suggestions for Contreras-Sweet.

Many of the demands were fairly predictable. Businesses want more access to capital so that they can expand. They also want to be awarded more contracts with the federal government.

The revelation that stands out the most, at least from the perspective of a Houston personal injury attorney, is the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) stance on proposed safety regulations.

While it is expected that businesses stand against increases in government regulation, the proposed regulations are meant to protect the health of employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a limit to the amount of crystalline silica, which has been linked to lung cancer and respiratory disease, which workers can inhale. The regulation would also require businesses to implement injury and illness prevention programs.

NFIB reportedly opposes these regulations because they would create more paperwork and added expenses for the employers. What this organization does not seem to realize is the great expense that is placed on employees who suffer injuries because their employers have not made an effort to create a safe work environment.

The expense created by improved safety regulations could be minimal compared to the costs associated with compensating an employee who has been injured due to negligence on the part of the company. Kirkendall Dwyer LLP can provide injured employees with a Houston personal injury attorney to represent their case.

This attorney would work to protect the rights of the employee, allowing them to take the legal action necessary to potentially receive compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other costs that resulted from the workplace injury.