For instance, OSHA withdrew a rule in December of 2001 on indoor air quality that had lingered on its agenda for years as a long-term action. Federal research on the issue began in September of 1991 with the publication of a Request for Information, and a proposed rule was published in the Federal Register April 5, 1994.

OSHA also withdrew a rule on occupational exposure to perchloroethylene, a potential carcinogen, along with a slew of others in late August and September of 2001. OSHA attributed these removals to "resource constraints and other priorities."

Only seven economically significant rules remain on the OSHA agenda, all of which were initiated under the Clinton administration. The administration has moved one of these -- a rule on tuberculosis in the health care and related industries -- from the final stage under Clinton to long-term action, indicating no action is expected in the next year. The remaining six all sit at the proposed and pre-rule stages -- the same place where most were two years ago.

For instance, a rule on occupational exposure to crystalline silica has been stuck on OSHA's agenda for years, even though the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety has recommended exposure limits much lower than the current standards.

In another case, a standard to prevent occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium, which every year causes hundreds of workers to die prematurely of lung cancer, has been on OSHA's agenda for years, yet remains at the proposed stage.

Six new rules have been added to OSHA’s agenda, none of which are economically significant.