OSHA, PEER spar over allegations of unhealthy working conditions

WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is not responding to a formal complaint by Department of Interior workers who say they are being subjected to unhealthy working conditions, according to the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

The Department of Labor, which oversees OSHA, denied the allegation, arguing it has taken the appropriate action to address the complaint.

The watchdog group, PEER, said Interior employees are exposed to "acrid fumes, choking dust and nauseating odors" produced by the modernization of the agency's main Washington office.

As a result, "civil servants and contract employees working in Interior headquarters cite a rise in asthma attacks, crippling headaches, unexplained skin rashes and other maladies."

The reconstruction of the building began in 2002 and is scheduled to last through 2012.

Federal agencies have become more aware of reducing workers' compensation costs, as it is part of the governmentwide Safety Health and Return to Employment initiative. The initiative includes requiring agencies to reduce total injury case rates and lost time case rates by 3 percent a year.

According to the DOL, the DOI total case rate for FY 2005 was 6.7, compared to the total federal government case rate of 4.9. The DOI lost time case rate for the same period was 2.85, compared to the government's 1.99. 

The case underscores the importance of creating a safe working environment. Reducing environmental and workplace hazards can increase productivity and reduce absenteeism.

"The OSHA said it will not conduct an inspection due to air monitoring [that] is being conducted by the General Services Administration, which is in charge of the modernization project," PEER said. Instead, OSHA directed the employees to seek intervention from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a separate agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, the group said.

According to PEER, NIOSH has no enforcement power, but the Interior project is in direct violation of the agency's "Guidelines for Maintaining Acceptable Indoor Environmental Quality During Construction and Renovation Projects," for which there are no sanctions for violations.

A DOL spokeswoman rejected the PEER charge. "The health and safety of our employees is a top priority for OSHA," she told cyberFEDS®. "This is at the forefront of what we do."

She said OSHA responded to the complaint by contacting the GSA, which operates the building. GSA took samples and "determined there were no toxic substances in the air." She said the OSHA also notified the complainants of other resources available to them.

The spokesperson said if those who complained feel they have been ignored, they should resubmit the complaint.

Also on cyberFEDS®: Check building air quality, especially after big storms (09/17/04)

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December 30, 2005