OSHA to Investigate the Maryland Quarterback Position
The Maryland Terrapins were awful in 2011. Despite the 4-4 record in 2012, things have gotten worse, or at least weird, in Maryland. As noted by ESPN, it began when its starting QB transferred, it got worse when the next guy in line tore an ACL in August, and then it got surreal when the next two guys in line each got hurt against North Carolina State on October 20. So that left Maryland down to its 5th string QB, true freshman Caleb Rowe. Rowe suffered a season-ending ACL injury this past Saturday, leaving Maryland to suit up a linebacker and tight end this week. If you are keeping score at home, that is four quarterbacks suffering serious injuries in less than two months. The federal government is keeping score–the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has ruled that it will begin investigating the Maryland Terrapin quarterback position.
For those who do not know, OSHA is tasked with making the workplace safer for Americans. OSHA notes as follows regarding an employer’s obligation to provide a safe workplace:
Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow all OSHA safety and health standards. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. OSHA further requires that employers try to eliminate or reduce hazards first by making changes in working conditions rather than just relying on masks, gloves, ear plugs or other types of personal protective equipment (PPE).
OSHA further notes these awful statistics: “An average of 12 Americans are killed on the job every single day of the year. In addition, tens of thousands die every year from workplace disease and over 3.3 million workers each year are seriously injured on the job.” Fortunately, none of the Maryland quarterbacks have been killed.
Well, with quarterbacks dropping like flies in Maryland, OSHA is not going to wait for a fatality before stepping in. The official commentary of OSHA on the situation is as follows: “It is not enough to just provide quarterbacks with a helmet and pants–the Maryland athletic department has a duty to eliminate or reduce safety hazards. We think it is incumbent on the Maryland football team to do something to protect its quarterbacks. If the State of Maryland is not going to get involved, we will. And, by the way, those ugly uniforms are dangerous too.”
However, it is unclear exactly what OSHA can do. Maryland’s offensive line coach, Tom Brattan, has been with the program since 2001. The University of Maryland even boasts that the “Maryland offensive line has been one of the team’s strengths since 2001 . . . .” Well, tell that to the injured quarterbacks. Here is hoping someone can figure out a way to keep these kids safe.
The Confidential 