Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s opponents are accusing him of violating the Occupational Health and Safety Administrations regulations in a campaign re-election ad in which he is the only person who appears. That is, he is being accused of physically endangering himself.
In the 30-second ad, titled “Comeback,” Walker appears arguing that the state has rebounded economically under his watch. The governor does this while climbing out a dirt pit about 10 feet deep, an effort to symbolize him getting the state out of the financial hole it had dug itself into.
Jeff Kaminiski, president of United Steelworkers Local 2006, which is based in Oak Creek, Wis., said the ad really symbolizes Walker’s disregard for Wisconsin workers because he does not observe proper OSHA regulations while he gets out of the pit.
“Gov. Walker’s violations send the wrong message to anyone trying to follow the rules and come home safe at the end of the day. Safety is the backbone of the union movement. We want all workers to come home safe at end of the day, we can’t have an example like this playing statewide,” Kaminski said, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
The governor’s alleged violations include not wearing a hat or safety goggles, the pit not being properly reinforced, and using a ladder that is not regulation length. He never appears to be in danger of falling back into the pit or otherwise getting injured.
It is unlikely that Walker would ever face any legal sanction since OSHA cases are usually brought against employers by their employees. Since Walker was starring in his own ad, he would have to file an OSHA complaint against himself.
Walker’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
