Assistant Secretary of Labor OSHA nominee Dr. David Michaels has kept a low profile since his nomination in July. The follow exchange of written questions (from Senator Johnny Isakson R-Georgia) and answers from Dr. Michaels, dated October 9, 2009, give you the clearest sense yet of Dr. Michaels’ positions on the hottest OSHA issues of the day.
Addressing the Wisconsin AFL-CIO Safety and Health Conference in late September, acting OSHA chief Jordan Barab chimed in on the healthcare debate with these remarks:
Speaking at the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Health and Safety Conference Day, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Friday, September 25, 2009, acting OSHA boss Jordan Barab had this to say about having another go at setting an ergonomics standard:
Acting OSHA chief Jordan Barab, speaking at the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Health and Safety Conference Day, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Friday, September 25, 2009, had this to say about OSHA’s humble attempt at reducing the nation’s unemployment rate:
Here are excerpts from remarks made by acting OSHA chief Jordan Barab at the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Health and Safety Conference Day, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Friday, September 25, 2009.
The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) recently released an updated statement regarding ergonomics. In the document, AIHA states “ergonomics is a multidisciplinary science whose primary focus is the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and their risk factors in the workplace. This is accomplished through the application of principles based on the physical and psychological capabilities of people to the design or modification of jobs, equipment, products, and workplaces.”
In light of a new government report highlighting what he called “dangerous gaps in health and safety protections for workers in Nevada,” U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, announced the committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, October 29 to examine federal OSHA’s critical review of Nevada’s workplace health and safety program.
The Senate Committee on Health, Labor, Education and Pensions’ (HELP) scheduled vote yesterday on the nomination of Dr. David Michaels to head up OSHA was postponed on Tuesday night.
High-visibility warning garments are required safety attire for highway and road construction workers according to a new letter of interpretation recently released by OSHA.
OSHA will publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) in the Oct. 21 edition of the Federal Register as an initial step in development of a standard to address the hazards of combustible dust.