OSHA Scores Poorly With Scientist Group (along with EPA, Consumer Product Safety Commission)

[Omaha Steve]

http://safety.blr.com/news.aspx?id=111906

November 13, 2008
OSHA Scores Poorly With Scientist Group

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has issued a report card grading 15 federal agencies on policies controlling communication among staff scientists, the news media, and the public. OSHA, along with EPA, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Fish and Wildlife Services, were judged to have the worst such policies. NASA, National Institute of Standard and Technology, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration received the highest scores.

UCS gave OSHA an "F," and said its policy is more focused on controlling the agency's message than on communicating scientific results and analysis. As reported in a press release, "Most agency scientists told UCS they could not speak freely or feared retaliation for stating their personal scientific opinions."

The report calls on the new administration to ensure that federal scientists are allowed and encouraged to share their expertise freely with the media.