PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona may lose the authority to oversee its own workplace safety program because of a pattern of ignoring federal directives involving COVID-19 protection, employer penalties and other issues, the Biden administration said Wednesday.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is threatening to take the first step in revoking federal approval of Arizona's plan for monitoring and protecting private, local and state employees.
Assistant U.S. Labor Secretary Doug Parker, who leads the agency, said a Federal Register notice proposing that Arizona's approval be reconsidered will be published Thursday. The notice opens up a 35-day public comment period. The state could request a hearing at that time. After that, OSHA would issue a final decision.
“OSHA is asking Arizona OSHA to address the litany of issues that the agency has identified over the past decade,” Parker told reporters in a conference call. “And I just want to be clear, this isn’t about a single instance.
The Industrial Commission of Arizona, Arizona's agency, said it disagreed with the federal decision.
“Arizona has always, and will continue to, implement occupational safety and health standards in accordance with our mutually agreed upon State Plan and Arizona law.,” the agency said in a statement.
“The reconsideration of Arizona’s State Plan status is a serious overreaction by OSHA,” the statement continued. “Despite this distraction, the Industrial Commission of...
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