In this episode of ISHN’s podcast series, host Dave Johnson discusses how OSHA will operate in the second Trump administration with two former top OSHA officials — Jim Frederick and Jordan Barab. Both have years of frontline experience watching the political pendulum swing, creating the climate for OSHA leadership, policies, enforcement and standards-setting. Frederick and Barab emphasize the importance of OSHA's role in protecting worker safety and health, and they express concern that reduced enforcement could have serious consequences.

Frederick spent four years with the Biden Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Barab spent almost eight years at OSHA during the Obama administration as Acting Assistant Secretary as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary. Barab was also Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary in the Clinton administration.

Frederick is now a Principal at NEXUS HSE collaborating with organizations to ensure industry-leading safety and health. Before his tenure at OSHA, he spent three decades in organized labor, primarily with the United Steelworkers Union where he served as Assistant Director of Health, Safety and Environment.  

Barab is chief blogger for Confined Space, www.jordanbarab.com, a newsletter of workplace safety and labor issues which he founded in 2017. Jordan was a senior policy advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives, worked for the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, and directed the safety and health program for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees for 16 years.

Key Takeaways

Both experts express significant uncertainty and anxiety about OSHA's future, despite the current administration's initial moderate approach.

• The Department of Government Efficiency's plans, including office closures, are a major worry, as they would hinder OSHA's ability to respond to complaints and fatalities.
• The future of the proposed heat stress standard is uncertain, although the proposal and supporting information remain on record.
• The nomination of David Keeling as OSHA administrator is seen as a positive sign, given his EHS background.

Frederick and Barab warn that a perception of reduced enforcement could lead to increased non-compliance among employers, resulting in more worker injuries and fatalities.

Listen to this in-depth discussion to learn more as the country is in a period of significant uncertainty for OSHA, with concerns about budget cuts, staffing reductions, and potential rollbacks of regulations.