The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that ensures safe and healthy working conditions for American workers. Established in 1970, OSHA sets and enforces safety standards, provides training and protects workers from retaliation when they report unsafe conditions. OSHA’s mission is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities by creating a national worker safety and health protection system.
Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs first introduced the “Nullify Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act” (NOSHA Act) in 2021 and reintroduced it in 2025. The bill aims to abolish OSHA, arguing that workplace safety should be managed by individual states and private employers rather than a federal agency. Congressman Biggs and others believe that states can create and enforce their own safety regulations without federal intervention. He also criticized OSHA for overstepping its authority, particularly in enforcing federal mandates like vaccine requirements.
NOSHA’s impact on workers’ compensation
If NOSHA becomes law, it could impact workers’ compensation and workers in several ways:
- Less regulation could lead to more workplace injuries, which then leads to higher workers’ compensation premiums.
- Insurers would need to reassess risks in a less regulated environment, potentially increasing premiums, especially in states with weaker safety enforcement.
- Companies failing to meet adequate safety standards might face more claim denials and policy restrictions, causing financial strain.
- The absence of uniform regulations could also result in significant disparities in premium rates and insurance policies across different states and industries, making workers’ compensation insurance more expensive and inconsistent.
These points all boil down to the fact that the NOSHA Act could be bad for workers’ safety and support.
Workers’ still have a right to safety protections
Federal law entitles employees to work in conditions free from known health and safety hazards. If the bill eliminates federal OSHA, it is also crucial to remember that Arizona is one of 23 states that has a OSHA-approved state plan in place. Florida, on the other hand, does not have one. Those with questions about workers’ compensation and state and federal workers’ safety plans can contact a law firm that represents workers facing challenges due to injury or illness. Ensuring workplace safety is not just a legal obligation but a moral one, essential for the well-being of all workers.