As the Bush administration gets ready to name OSHA’s next administrator, it’s worth noting that the three longest-serving OSHA chiefs in the agency’s 30-year history have all been appointed by Democratic presidents:

• Eula Bingham April 1977 to January 1981 – 45 months

• Charles Jeffress November 1997 to January 2001 — 38 months

• Joseph Dear November 1993 to January 1997 — 38 months

These are also the only Democrats to have run OSHA. By contrast, eight Republican appointees have headed OSHA, lasting an average of 22 months. Bingham’s record tenure pales next to the longevity mark set by recently departed EPA chief Carol Browner, who held her job for eight years.