A woman in a security vest will look at the construction of the new bridge in Balls Bend on Wednesday in Middlesex Township. Butler Eagle File Photo
A growing number of townships in Butler County expresses concerns about the proposed laws according to which the municipal employees have to follow the guidelines for occupational safety and health administration.
Summit, Clinton and Jefferson Townships are among the communities that are committed to Jake Schwab's Security Act.
Although the law is well meant, it could be expensive for taxpayers, says Summit Township Supervisor Larry Osche.
He was concerned about the fact that the regulations in relation to the size of the community were overwhelmed.
“When Osha comes in to look at something, they are not here to say that they did a good job, they are only there to quote them for something,” said Osche. “I think the community will cost a lot of money when it matters.”
Ossche quoted his experiences in a factory that operated according to the Osha guidelines and said the regulations had advantages and disadvantages. His opinion is that guidelines can protect employees, Osha quotes are common.
According to an online -osha database, the federal jurisdiction of the administration carried out 19,743 inspections and spent 55,169 quotes in all industries between October 2023 and September 2024.
In addition, there are other means of protecting the workers, Ossche continued.
“Only two people may work in small communities,” said Osche. “So pay attention to each other.”
Summit, Clinton and Jefferson Townships are among the communities of Butler County who are committed to Jake Schwab's Security Act. Photo about unsplash
Back to the Senate
Despite the local opposition, the invoice recently gained some tractions.
The House Bill 308, also known as Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill, approved the House of Representatives in a 111-92 vote at the beginning of this month with cross-party support. Schwab was a mechanic of the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority, who died after an injury to the workplace in 2014.
The bill of law, which is part of the Erie County, would extend the draft law, which is part of the Erie County, Osha protection to workers of the public sector who are currently not adhering to the same security standards as private companies.
A memo that circulated from Harkins and Cosponsor Rep.
“Jake Schwab, who was living in Erie, was fatally injured at work in 2014. Jake was a mechanic at the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority, an employer of the public sector that is freed from the Osha regulations,” said the memo. “As a result, the details of the incident and the security concerns, which would have been expressed by an OSHA check, were difficult to pursue.”
It would also enable the State Secretary for Labor and Industry to enforce the OSHA regulations and to monitor compliance, which means that there is punishment for violations.
Those who represent Butler County. Marci Mustello, R-11th, Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-8th, Rep. Tim Bonner, R-17, and Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th voice against the bill.
“Summit Township, together with many of our communities, would have a good perspective on this legislation,” said Musello. She had received letters against the legislation of several communities Butler County, which she represents.
“While this meant well, this could lead to problems for the communities and increase costs for regular maintenance, which would inevitably be passed on to the residents,” she said.
Legislation now goes to the Senate of the state, where it has previously stalled. The Senate should arise again on May 5th.
During the meeting of the General Assembly 2023-24, the draft law was introduced as House Bill 299 and made it over the house with 116-85 votes, with all Democrats and a handful of Republicans who voted in favor. In this case, Butler County's representatives voted again against the draft law.
Safety matters
Although the employees of the municipality are necessary in contrast to the proposed legal provisions in contrast to the OSHA regulations, Osche and other urban leaders said that security was not a subsequent thought.
“Municipalities are already subject to numerous security regulations and training of government agencies such as (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) and the requirements set out in the manual on uniform traffic control devices,” says a letter from Clinton Township to Musello. “Clinton township has security as a top priority.”
The members of the Butler County Association of Township, Allegheny Township Supervisor Chuck Stowe and Jefferson Township Supervisor Lois Rankin, explained that the organization organized a seminar every year for the Butler County Security Day. Local officials from all over the district are invited to visit and learn additional security practices.
“We only have two or three townships that do not participate,” said Rankin, President of Township Association.
Rankin said that the seminar belonged to Central Electric, Penndot and Hunter Truck to convey security in various areas of work that the municipalities can do.
“We put the security of the city workers a top priority,” she said.
Rankin said Jefferson Township sent a letter to Musello and Senator Scott Hutchinson to express concerns. She found that the municipality of Connoquence asked for support in pennilation.
Stowe, who also acts as the second Vice President of the Pennsylvania State Association of Townhip Supervisors, said that the nationwide organization encouraged the municipalities to work against the law.
“We offer over 100 workshops that range from road maintenance to administrative measures. We usually have workshops in connection with certainty, especially in the training of flagers,” said Stowe. “We also offer boot camps for newly elected superiors.”
“Go through an open garage door … Get a fine,” said a press release from the State Association, “after this proposed legislation, Township and first aiders would be commissioned and followed by bureaucrats in Washington, DC, and to follow the costly OSHA regulations of the federal government, and state bureaucrats would be powerful dealt with that were invented by the fulfillment.
“The local governments are highly committed to the workplace, and this proposed new, non -financed mandate only harms the taxpayer.”