OSHA has confirmed that the long-time head of the agency’s enforcement directorate, Richard Fairfax, was promoted April 5 to OSHA’s top career position, deputy assistant secretary, according to a post on ORC Worldwide’s EHS website. OSHA’s other deputy assistant secretary is political appointee Jordan Barab.

Fairfax replaces Donald Shalhoub, appointed by former OSHA chief Edwin Foulke of the Bush administration. The move thus completes the Obama administration’s transformation of the top three leadership positions at OSHA, according to ORC Worldwide.

“Rich Fairfax is held in high regard by all segments of the OSHA community - he has a broad and deep understanding of the challenges facing the agency,” commented ORC Worldwide Senior Vice President Frank White. “There’s no one better equipped in the agency to take on this role.”