Members of the 114th to Receive Safety Recognition Awards
Washington, DC – Capitol Hill offices are substantially safer places to work than in the past, according to safety and health specialists of the Congressional Office of Compliance.
“Members are setting an important example that they will live by the safety laws that they passed to protect office workers,” said Susan Tsui Grundmann, recently appointed Executive Director of the Office of Compliance.
The Office of Compliance is a non-partisan, neutral, and independent office established to administer and enforce safety laws and workplace rights in Congress, much like the Department of Labor and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission do for the private sector and executive branch.
“The need for the Congressional Accountability Act was obvious as soon as we started visiting offices 20 years ago,” said John D. Uelmen, General Counsel of the Office of Compliance. “We’re seeing real improvement. Everyone is moving forward together on this. Offices that were once fire hazards have emergency action plans, clear exits, and working alarms because of the cooperation.”
Grundmann and Uelmen credit heightened awareness about important safety laws to the safety and legal staff of the House and Senate, the Library of Congress, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). “There are many people who contribute to our inspection program and we count on them to get the word out about workplace safety,” said Uelmen.
The Office of Compliance will partner with the National Safety Council on April 6, 2017, to present Safety Recognition Awards to the Senators and Representatives who maintained hazard-free offices during the 114th Congress. The 157 Members (69 Senators and 88 Representatives) who achieved Safety Recognition Awards represent a dramatic increase since 2006 when only seven Members received the first awards. The Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance restored the safety recognition awards after a hiatus to promote safety and accessibility awareness on Capitol Hill.
“The lawmakers recognized today have truly brought safety into their workplaces,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “I applaud their commitment to keeping their staff and visitors safe.”
