This week, a congressman from Arizona introduced a bill that would abolish the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The bill itself is only 67 words and even with the amount of de-regulation expected over the next 4 years, I wouldn’t expect OSHA to be abolished.
But what if it were?
Most of the employers I know wouldn’t want an OSHA inspection and would obviously prefer to avoid fines and penalties; however, OSHA serves more purpose than to be a hassle for businesses.
OSHA’s goal is first to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. OSHA does this through setting and enforcing safety standards, providing education and training, encouraging employer responsibility and protecting workers’ rights.

Why OSHA on a National Scale is Important
The ways in which OSHA is able to prevent workplace accidents is through the accumulation and analyzation of data. The more datapoints you have over as long a period of time as possible allows for better forecasting and loss predictions.
Large companies can use their own data to make these predictions, but how would small and middle market businesses be able to accurately forecast and analyze safety without OSHA’s help? At minimum, an organization needs 30 data points over a 5 year period of time for there to be any kind of accuracy in forecasting losses. Most small and middle market business don’t have these types of losses and therefore rely on industry data.
OSHA uses data to prevent accidents by:
- Identifying high-risk industries and job tasks
- Developing new safety standards
- Targeting enforcement efforts and inspections
- Providing industry specific training and outreach
- Enhancing workers rights
The Difference Between Compliance and Safety Culture
Regardless of whether OSHA Compliance is necessary, there will always be employers who prioritize safety and those that don’t. OSHA doesn’t change that, but helps to keep competitors in your industry honest to create a more equitable playing field.
I heard of a recent example where an employee died on the job due to electrocution and the employers still didn’t think a formal safety program was necessary. I’ve also worked with clients who prioritize employee safety above and beyond the requirements of OSHA.
Which company would you rather work for?
My long-winded point is this…
Whether OSHA exists or not, we live in a world where good employees for traditional blue collar work are hard to find. Prioritizing safety culture throughout your organization not only creates a better work environment, it actually works at preventing injuries.
By necessity, a good safety program will be visible and obvious to everyone throughout your organization. When employees see that you actually care about their safety and well being, you’ll retain your employees longer and more easily attract new employees.
The ultimate competitive edge in business is having the best people doing their jobs to the best of their ability.

OSHA Recordkeeping Deadline Approaches
While we’re on the subject – this is a reminder that OSHA’s electronic reporting deadline for 2025 is March 2nd. For anyone who wants to streamline their OSHA Recordkeeping, save time and money, and make sure all injury reporting with OSHA is done correctly, I give away a free resource.
If you have to report 300A (and 300 and 301) forms to OSHA, our OSHALogs.com access is free of charge forever for anyone who needs it (whether you’re a client or not).
If you’re not sure if you have to report OSHA logs, please download our OSHA Recordkeeping Guide for 2025.
If you’d like free access to our OSHA Logs program, please sign up here: https://www.stillwellriskpartners.com/oshalogs-signup/
For more information on our Prevention First Approach to insurance and risk management, you can find more here: https://www.stillwellriskpartners.com/prevention-first-risk-management/