Washington, DC – The Office of Compliance announced today the release of the General Counsel’s Report on Occupational Safety and Health Inspections for the 109th Congress, together with a Progress Report on the biennial inspection for the 110th Congress. The two reports appear on the Office of Compliance website, www.compliance.gov.

General Counsel Peter Ames Eveleth said, “The 109th Congress inspection was far more thorough, and covered substantially more space, than did inspections reported in past Biennial Reports. Accordingly, the 109th Congress inspection provides a more comprehensive “baseline” assessment of health and safety conditions on Capitol Hill. This more thorough inspection also accounts for the significant increase in the number of hazards identified in the Report compared to prior years.”

The 109th Congress Biennial Report documents the results of inspections conducted during that Congress, which ended December 31, 2006. However, since that time, employing offices have abated many of the hazards identified in the Report. Of particular note, the Architect of the Capitol has improved health and safety in the Utility Tunnels connecting the Capitol Complex to the Capitol Power Plant.

These and other achievements are documented in the 110th Congress Progress Report on Safety and Health Inspections. Eveleth noted, “During the first year of the 110th Congress, we found many fewer hazards than in the past. We project that, by the time the 110th Congress inspection is completed at the end of this year, roughly 25% fewer hazards will be identified than in the 109th Congress.” The Progress Report also describes advances toward abating fire safety citations in several buildings on Capitol Hill. A comprehensive final report on the General Counsel’s 110th Congress biennial occupational safety and health inspection will be issued when that inspection is completed.