Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Dr. David Michaels
The White House issued a press release a little while ago announcing the nomination of Dr. David Michaels to be the head of OSHA. Congratulations Dr. Michaels, and welcome to a world where public health, science, politics, law and bureaucracy all collide into the big mangled pile of frustrations, forgotten dreams, lost ideas, fading idealism, and reality that is OSHA.
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Michaels knows what he's walking into, how important it is and what it will take to do the right thing. He's product will not be doubt.
ReplyDeleteHe'll beeeee sorrrry!
ReplyDeleteSolid credentials. And I like what he's saying about de-emphasizing the culture of inspection and emphasizing changing workplace safety culture in the first place.
ReplyDeleteHe'll probably get confirmed. I saw a slight stink about his support for trial lawyers, but don't think that'll be enough to derail his nom.
I agree Dr. Michaels knows what he's getting into, that statement was really a reflection of my frustration with where we've been or what we've become.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with OSHA deemphasizing enforcement, we are an enforcement agency. If you want to talk globally, ie outside of OSHA, then yes, working to get companies to change their workplace culture is important. But our agency is here to deal with those companies that don't embrace S&H. To be more precise, we're here to enforce our regulations against those companies that choose not to protect their employees.
I think anyone the D's would nominate that would deemphasize enforcement might get some R support too.
When the long entrenched powers of OSHA get through with waterboarding Dr. Michaels, the good doctor will be spouting "Numbers, we need more numbers! Lots of inspections, and Yeah bring me lots of Sig cases. We'll give the employers a fair trail and hang em er.... cite em in the the morning". He will be like a vampire in need of fresh blood.
ReplyDeleteAs a 12-yr OSHA Outreach trainer & OSHA/MSHA consultant for the NY Building & Const. Trades council (AFL-CIO), I have endured the past 8 years of Bushwacking when it comes to enforcing the standards in the field. I would stand in front of 30+ OSHA Standard end-users weekly, carefully informing them of their rights as US workers while Mr. Foulke delivered lawyerspeak lectures to lawyers and danced with "hallway wolves"(lobbyists) inside the beltway. The #1 construction Worker's Comp claim is MSD injuries to L3-L5 (up almost 300% since 1995). Time's up. Let's get back to the job of enforcing the worker's protection laws that exist and intelligently drafting those which are "sorely needed". Best of luck and all of my support to Mr Michaels.
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