The Biden administration is threatening Arizona, South Carolina and Utah that it will revoke their authority to handle workplace safety, if they refuse to adopt rules to protect workers against COVID-19.
The threats come as the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration prepares to adopt far-reaching vaccination and testing rules affecting 80 million Americans. OSHA says the three Republican-controlled states are not complying with promises to enforce labor standards that are at least as good as those adopted by the federal government.
At issue is a rule requiring the use of personal protective equipment, social distancing and other safety measures for workers at healthcare facilities that provide care for patients infected with the coronavirus.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) called the move a political stunt and a power grab. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) said the federal rules would overburden healthcare providers.
OSHA has given up its authority to enforce workplace safety in 22 states. In exchange, those states must adopt rules that are as effective or better are protecting the health and safety of workers.
