Earlier today, Reg•Watch blogged about the problem of the Consumer Product Safety Commission's reliance on voluntary recalls. CPSC is not alone in choosing to make nice with industry rather than taking the lead itself. In fact, the Department of Labor wrote the book on it. The Pump Handle blog has a post criticizing the use of "compliance assistance" in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (both within Labor). The concerns are especially relevant in light of the current Crandall mine tragedy. Read the Pump Handle's post: MSHA, OSHA, and "Compliance Assistance".