What Will Be The New OSHA Agenda?
David Michaels has been officially nominated to be the next Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA. When he will be confirmed is anyone's guess. However, let's hope it comes as soon as possible so the agency can work on many of the issues that need to be finalized. What will be the agenda for Mr. Michaels? Hard to say at this point in time but early word is that he will push for a new recordkeeping program, an injury and illness program, increasing training grants, and work to change the way the nation thinks about workplace safety. All very good goals. However, if OSHA is to continue to regain some of its credibility, we need to see some concrete results on some of the many issues that have been on the table for years - GHS, cranes and derricks, confined spaces in construction, silica, beryllium, etc. And let's not forget updating the PELs. Mr. Michaels has said in the past he believes working to update the PELs is not a good use of OSHA resources. If that is truly how he feels, let's hope he has some alternatives in mind. He will have a "honeymoon" period when he takes over, but it won't last long unelss we get the feeling that he can move the agenda forward. Let's also hope that early critics give Mr. Michaels a chance.