In a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around safety regulations and funding for the Boiler, Elevator, and Coal Mine Safety division, as well as the Utah Occupational Safety and Health (UOSH) program.

The meeting highlighted two key recommendations for the Boiler, Elevator, and Coal Mine Safety division. First, the performance measure for elevator inspections will shift from tracking overdue units to focusing on the number of inspections completed before units become overdue. The new target is set at 90%, a more realistic goal given existing constraints. The agency has endorsed this change.

Second, the division's fees, which have remained unchanged since 2004, are under review. Currently, the fees do not cover operational costs, leading to an annual shortfall of approximately $500,000, which is subsidized by the general fund. A proposed fee increase of 10% to 20% is suggested to align with inflation and wage growth, rather than the 40% increase needed to fully cover costs. This adjustment aims to alleviate pressure on the general fund, allowing those resources to be redirected to other priorities.

The meeting also addressed UOSH's funding structure, which relies heavily on federal funds (61%), with additional support from the general fund (28%) and restricted accounts (11%). A critical issue raised was the need to update penalty amounts to remain within 10% of OSHA's current levels. The last adjustment was made in 2022, and it was noted that an estimated $130,000 in potential revenue could have been generated had the penalties been updated to reflect current standards. UOSH plans to approach the legislature in the upcoming session to address this discrepancy.

Furthermore, the meeting discussed the Workplace Safety program, which is funded entirely through a restricted account. The Labor Commission currently meets statutory reporting requirements regarding the use of these funds but may need to provide more detailed impact assessments if the legislature desires.

Lastly, a recommendation was made to allow the use of unused funds from the Workplace Safety restricted account to compensate compliance officers within UOSH. This change aims to address staffing shortages and high turnover rates due to pay discrepancies between public and private sector safety professionals. The agency supports this recommendation, emphasizing that it would not affect the general fund.

Overall, the meeting underscored the need for adjustments in safety inspection measures, funding structures, and compliance officer compensation to enhance workplace safety and operational efficiency in Utah.