GAO identifies pressing safety issues for Obama, Congress

Nov 24, 2008

Following the Nov. 4 presidential election, the Government Accountability Office has posted several recommendations for President-Elect Barack Obama's administration and the 111th Congress. GAO's transition Web page includes an overview of what it considers each government agency's major challenges, accompanied by past reports and recommendations.

For the Department of Labor, GAO suggests, "The laws, regulations, and programs designed to provide protections for workers may need to be revised to reflect significant changes in the demographics of the U.S. workforce and the changes in the nature of work itself."

DOL issued a statement saying it has assembled a transition team of "top career officials" who meet weekly and will provide Obama's team with briefing books on each DOL agency. "The department will continue to do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition," the statement read.

GAO also said that, over the next several months, it will be issuing new reports on specific areas the Obama administration should address. One such report will review the nation's disaster preparedness, response and recovery capabilities.