Made in the usa

[DJD]

Well…I guess everyone can argue all they want about U.S. verses foreign goods. One of the main reasons the U.S. has such expensive goods is one simple fact, safety, rules, regulations, laws, etc

Let’s take a construction site in China verses a construction site in America. In China they do not close off areas in construction of large commercial buildings where areas of demolition and remodeling occur, no signs saying “please use the back entrance while we undergo renovation”, no separate walkway, no tape or ropes blocking off the area of construction, etc. There’s also no Chinese version of OSHSA either.

Now, come to a job site in America…areas of construction are always off limits to the general public and are usually sealed up with temporary boards, plywood partitions, etc. If you want a peek at what is happening behind the temporary façade you better have a hard hat, fluorescent orange safety vest, etc.

The point is that we in the U.S. have a LOT of laws around safety and around every aspect of life really, government, technology, etc. In China and many MANY other countries that are FEWER rules, laws and regulations, which also means this enables them to make produce products more efficiently and less expensive. Whereas here in the states, more laws mean human safety better products and consumer rights.

Would we as U.S. citizens be willing to take more risk for a cheaper product? Heck, maybe a lot of the laws we have in place now are a bunch of voodoo anyway.

I do think that alot of our laws are stupid. I also think that many rules and regs on construction sites slow the process down and increase cost. I also know for a fact that many of them don't get followed and thats the only way some of these fast track projects get completed. Sure some people follow OSHA to the letter but when they are not looking things get done!
Look at the new regs for Hospital work. Getting ceiling permits from the engineering department to look above the ceiling or better yet putting up barriers or self contained pods just so you can look above the ceiling only to find thats the wrong tile. Infection Control in Healthcare dominates/trumps all construction schedules in existing hospitals. We now have more after hours work, Prep work, clean up and get blamed for any dust. It's fine (and to some extent needed) since we charge for it but the cost of projects in existing Hospitals has jumped throught the roof!
Lawsuits have caused this.