Online Survey: Are Environmental and Safety Requirements and their Enforcement Too Stringent?


		AcuSafe Home Page -> February 2001 Newsletter
		Online Survey: Are Environmental and Safety Requirements and their Enforcement Too Stringent?

With Premcor's decision to close its Illinois refinery, ongoing costs to all businesses in meeting environmental, safety and health (ES&H) requirements, and the presence of a new George W. Bush administration in the White House that is likely to be more sympathetic to business interests, the issue of whether ES&H regulations and their enforcement are too tough or not stringent enough will surely be examined. How do our AcuSafe readers feel about the issue and what message should the Bush Administration have about this issue? Please fill out our online survey and let us know. The results will be published in an upcoming AcuSafe News issue. As usual, submissions are anonymous.

March 2001 Online Poll:
Are ES&H Laws and Enforcement Too Stringent?

1. Characterize your views about existing Environmental Laws.

	Existing laws are not strict enough: pollution is still a serious problem and even when businesses are in compliance we still must do more.
	Existing laws are ok and we need to only incrementally refine the requirements through further rulemaking.
	Existing laws and regulations are fine the way they are. Don't make any more changes.
	Existing laws are strict enough but regulators are creating rules that Congress never intended and should be rolled back.
	It is time to look at all environmental laws and repeal them or drastically reform them in favor of government/business voluntary cooperative agreements.
	Don't Know/No Answer

2. How would you describe the enforcement of Environmental Laws?

	Enforcement is a joke. Government action is only taken in response to an emergency and even when companies are penalized, the amount of the fine is a slap on the wrist.
	There are always criticisms of enforcement, but on balance the amount of money spent on it is about right.
	Enforcement is too tough and it is costing us jobs and passing along unacceptably high costs to consumers.
	Don't Know/No Answer

3. Characterize your views about existing Plant Safety/Industrial Hygiene Laws.

	Industrial safety laws are too weak; accidents are still a problem and we should create new restrictions.
	Industrial safety is still a major problem, but the solution is for companies to adhere to existing requirements, not create new ones.
	We have very safe work conditions and problems with industrial accidents is overrated; we should leave existing rules and requirements alone.
	Safety rules are too prescriptive and strict. We should roll them back and let employers decide what is best or at least substantially reform existing rules.
	Don't Know/No Answer

4. How Would you describe outside enforcement of Plant Safety/Industrial Hygiene Laws?

	Enforcement is a joke. Government action is only taken in response to an emergency and even when companies are penalized, the amount of the fine is a slap on the wrist.
	There are always criticisms of enforcement, but on balance the amount of money spent on it is about right.
	Enforcement is too tough and it is costing us jobs and passing along unacceptably high costs to consumers.
	Don't Know/No Answer

5. How do you react when you hear about a facility closing down because of environmental restrictions?

	Inefficient, dirty plants should close down; that is the price we pay for a cleaner environment.
	Jobs are too scarce and plants are too important for the country's welfare; We should give some companies a break if the decision is between shutting down and operating in a way that does not meet requirements.
	Environmental laws place us in a competitive disadvantage and plant closures are just the most visible sign. We should roll back environmental rules, or all the industrial jobs will go overseas.
	Don't Know/No Answer

6. To gauge whether people react to these questions differently depending on their occupation, please select which category best represents your own occupation.

	Work for a manufacturing company
	Consultant or contractor who works with manufacturing companies, insurance (loss prevention)
	ES&H regulator
	Student, professor, or other academician
	Other

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