HOW WE SEE IT: Regulations Are In Place For A Reason

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — There are those who say the economy would be much stronger if the federal government would just stop interfering. The notion goes that businesses big and small are lucky to survive given the numerous restrictions and regulations the government imposes on them.

Sure, some of these rules are easier to justify than others. There certainly is room for debate about whether some of the rules should exist at all.

Most of these regulations, however, are grounded in a concern for the welfare of all of us.

Last month, the Occupational Safety andHealth Administration fi ned New Jersey-based Pinnacle Foods Group $156,700 for violations at its Fayetteville facility on West 15th Street.

The administration’s inspections, carried out between Decemberand May, resulted in the discovery of 27 health and safety violations at the Pinnacle Foods facility. One violation included employees being exposed to inhaling ammonia; the company also reportedly failed to provide protective equipment to prevent skin contact with the chemical.

This follows a January 2010 administration report that found 16 violations at the same facility, resulting in a fine of $32,775. In that instance, Pinnacle Foods ended up settling with the administration at 14 violations and paying $16,400 in fines. It has the option of negotiating a settlement on the current violations and fi nes as well.

One could accuse the administration of bullying this particular employer. But those who work at this facility, or those who have friends or loved ones who work there, probably can appreciate that someone (the government) is watching out for the employees’ well-being.

Accidents happen on the job, and some of these are completely unpredictable. But there are predictable accidents too, which can be avoided when the appropriate rules are in place and enforced.

We’ve seen what happens when government looks the other way or when companies ignore basic safety precautions. Just consider the coal mining industry and the mine disasters we’ve seen in West Virginia in recent years, which have killed dozens of workers.

We don’t want businesses to be overburdened with unnecessary regulations, but the protection of workers and consumers must remain a priority.