After the Department of Labor announced that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) withdrew its controversial enforcement guidance regarding small family farms, Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) issued the following statement:

“As one of the few farmers left in Congress, I constantly see the disconnect between Washington bureaucrats and America’s farm families,” said Congressman Graves.  “If the Department of Labor had maintained its controversial policy, it would have meant a dramatic intrusion into family farms and overturning 35 years of established precedent.  The administration made the right call by backing off.”

BACKGROUND: Since 1971, OSHA has been responsible for enforcing federal workplace safety and health standards.  However, since 1978, Congress has adopted statutory language preventing OHSA from inspecting farms with 10 or fewer employees.  This policy has been signed into law by presidents of both parties dating back to the Carter administration.

In 2011, without any public notice or review, the Obama administration released guidance that redefined “farming operations” in order to allow OSHA inspectors onto family farms, once again circumventing both the law and the will of Congress.  Congressman Graves joined a number of his colleagues in raising concerns over this policy to the Department of Labor.  That letter may be viewed here.

Late yesterday, the Congressmen received a response noting the withdrawal of the guidance, which may be viewedhere.