Government Affairs Blog

Seems there are a few OSHA Outreach Training Program trainers who aren't very qualified to teach workplace safety, as well as the fact that there are some who are simply selling their completion certificates. OSHA last week announced they were strengthening their review of the 16,000 independent trainers to "keep a list" of those who have had their training credentials suspended or discontinued. Now, that sounds like a good idea, but perhaps they should simply go back to the drawing board and take a look at how these "trainers" are chosen in the first place. I recieved a letter from one AIHA member who says most CIHs and CSPs have more knowledge than these individuals, yet OSHA doesn't provide any credit for their knowledge and education. While it may be difficult for OSHA to change the progrma at this tage, I believe they should at elast take a look at the credentials of these individuals and determine whether or not there is a better way of ding things.

Posted by Aaron Trippler at 08:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Occupational safety and health received the best news in nearly a year last week when Dr. John Howard was reappointed to be director of NIOSH for another six-year term. With Dr. Howard's background and support for his reappointment from nearly every segment of OH&S, it is refreshing to actually hear from someone (in this case the head of CDC) who follows the wishes of the stakeholders. CDC and HHS are to be congratulated for making what should have been an easy decision. NOW - Let's hope that OSHA and NIOSH wrok closely together in the next few years to see that the research and recommendations coming from NIOSH do not fall on deaf years.

NIOSH is the only federal agency conducting OH&S research. We can't do without it - and now we have a permanent director. Good news indeed!

Posted by Aaron Trippler at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)