Some of the first public comments from new OSHA Director John Henshaw about the direction of the agency concerned "the value of human capital," and the "value of safety and health."

Of course actions speak louder than words, but Henshaw's words were reassuring to the nation's construction workers, who toil in a highly hazardous environment and have an acute need for government involvement and oversight of job safety rules.

Indeed, Henshaw's use of the terms "value" and "human capital" make workers sound like commodities and part of a business plan - but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If better safety is the ultimate goal, then it's difficult to argue with the underlying philosophy.

"Like many of you, I've been championing the value of safety and health for the past quarter century," Henshaw said in a speech before the National Safety Congress. "I know that safety and health add value. That value may have a direct impact on the bottom line, like fewer injuries and illnesses, lower medical costs and less downtime. Or it may be subtle and difficult to measure. Safety and health add value in hidden ways by increasing performance, productivity and innovation and creativity."

President Bush did not come into office with a particularly friendly position toward working people, who rightfully questioned what direction OSHA would take in a political environment so heavily influenced by the business community. For better or worse, that business influence is evident at OSHA - time will tell if it will be effective.

OSHA's enforcement funding in the Bush Administration will be up slightly from the $151 million that was spent in 2000. Henshaw said he wants OSHA to do more than set standards and impose fines on employers.

"Our job is not to continue to cite," he said, "it is to convince employers to comply. Like co-dependency in the drug culture, we are allowing companies to use fines as a cost of doing business. To me that's repugnant."