DEAR EDITOR:

As an occupational safety and health consultant, I am often requested to give talks to organizations, new employees and others on workplace safety.

There always has been a standard, an attempt to break the ice, introduce some humor, opening comment, followed by a thank you and a walk off the podium.

It went like this: “Please, everybody be careful, don’t get hurt, thank you.”

Not much of a safety and health presentation, learning experience, or what the attendees expected, nor much of what I, as the so-called expert, should consider useful advice.

When I see some of the changes being implemented by this current administration, I feel as if the laughter should occur, followed by “just kidding,” then introducing the new and improved regulatory guidance. But, not so.

What I am seeing are agencies that have been put into place after years and years of study, reviewing supportive facts, developed mandates along with compliance guidance dramatically reduced to ineffective stature or totally dismantled.

Health care agencies that have studied potential health concerns and addressed them with educational guidance, useful risk reduction tools and often adopted mandates.

Environmental agencies that realize the impact of unregulated pollutants through extensive research have developed pollutant discharge mandates, ensuring our lakes, streams, and land are safe and healthy.

Transportation agencies that ensure that our highways, airways, waterways, and as important our railroads, transport hazardous material safely, ensuring communities are protected.

All and many other of these protective agencies are being reduced or eliminated whereas we, the people are all told; “Please, everybody be careful, don’t get hurt, thank you.” No laughter to follow.

Good luck America!

JOHN P. LESEGANICH

Canfield