Comparing Expected and Actual Economic Impacts of OSHA Safety Regulation: A CaseStudy of Presence Sensing Device Initiation for Mechanical Power Presses

摘要

Our report examines whether the revision has resulted in the desired cost savingsanticipated by OSHA in the economic impact analysis the agency conducted during the rulemaking process. To this end, we first briefly describe the technology of mechanical power presses and review the history of the regulation. We then summarize and critique the economic analysis, suggesting how the methodology and assumptions in the analysis might have been improved or refocused. Finally, we describe the actual economic effects realized to date and discuss differences between the expected and realized outcomes.