This e-version of The Leader is provided courtesy of <strong>VPPPA</strong> for members only. For reprint permission, please contact the editor at Communications@vpppa.org. In Brief comPiled by Korey belAnger >> goVernment AffAirs & communicAtions sPeciAlist, <strong>VPPPA</strong>, inc. oSha looking for prevention programs During a joint meeting between the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) on March 25, 2010, Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Dr. David Michaels stated that OSHA has begun investigating whether employers utilize an injury and illness prevention program at their worksites. These programs, not mandated under the OSH Act but usually implemented by both management and labor, are used to identify, evaluate and control hazards in the workplace. Dr. Michaels stated, “Increasingly our investigations are looking not only at specific action or use of equipment that caused a worker injury, but also at the overall culture of the worksite and the company.” He went on to say, “We’re examining whether employers are merely focusing on compliance, or taking measured steps to improve overall performance, reduce risk, and make prevention a part of daily operations.” An industry attorney with Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., in Washington, D.C., Stephen Yohay, responded to Dr. Michaels comments, stating, “It seems ironic that at the same 8 the leAder >> sPring 2010 time Dr. Michaels is saying that OSHA inspectors, in an enforcement mode, will be reviewing ‘the overall culture of the worksite and the company,’ and ‘whether employers are taking measured steps to improve the overall performance, reduce risk, and make prevention a part of daily operations,’ he and other agency leaders want to shrink the main program that has leveraged OSHA’s scarce resources and has demonstrably fostered that kind of approach by employers – the Voluntary Protection Program.” fairfax new Deputy assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Dr. David Michaels announced via e-mail to agency staff March 25, 2010, that the new Deputy Assistant Secretary would be Richard Fairfax. As deputy assistant secretary, Fairfax is the second highest-ranking head within OSHA and will be responsible for supervision of the Directorates of Enforcement and Construction and the work of OSHA’s 10 regional offices across the nation. Fairfax has served OSHA since 1978, most recently as the director of Enforcement Programs and acting director of Construction Programs for OSHA. Fairfax is a certified industrial hygienist and has worked as a field industrial hygienist, regional industrial hygienist and as a senior industrial hygienist. AFL-CIO Director of Safety and Health Peg Seminario called Fairfax “an excellent choice for the career deputy position at OSHA … [He has] decades of experience, starting in the field, then in the national office, a deep grasp of the agency’s programs, and a deep commitment to its mission.” Solis Testifies on Dol fy 2011 proposed budget During a hearing March 10, 2010, with the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis explained the Department of Labor’s (DOL) plans for the fiscal year 2011 budget. Solis explained the department not only seeks to increase enforcement, but to promote green jobs and create new jobs. Solis also mentioned the department’s plans to launch Protecting Our Workforce and Ensuring Reemployment (POWER), a joint initiative between the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. POWER will challenge the federal government to become a model employer of workers with disabilities and of workers who have returned to work after an injury. The overall request for DOL in FY 2011 is $116.5 billion and 17,800 full-time equivalent employees. This includes the budget requests of $573.1 million for OSHA, an increase of $14.5 million from the previous year, as well as a redirect of 35 full-time employees from compliance assistance to enforcement. “This administration wants to ensure that investments in job creation will continue until the labor market fully recovers from the economic downturn,” stated Solis. “Workers and their families are hurting in these tough economic times. We know that job opportunities and economic security are of utmost importance to Americans.” H
This e-version of The Leader is provided courtesy of <strong>VPPPA</strong> for members only. For reprint permission, please contact the editor at Communications@vpppa.org. Get Your emploYees Involved in the AnnuAl oshA VPP eVAluAtion by JosePh PAgendArm >> ehs mAnAger, generAl electric co. the leAder >> www.<strong>VPPPA</strong>.org 9
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