Search

Senate Confirms OSHA Leader After 4-Year Gap

Posted on 11/2/2021 by Lauren Scott

On October 25, US Senate confirmed Doug Parker as head of the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in a 50–41 vote. This marks the first time OSHA has had a confirmed head administrator since January 2017, when then-leader David Michaels stepped down.

The Biden administration announced plans to nominate Parker on April 9. Parker then sat for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on May 27.

During the hearing, Parker was asked about his time as Chief of California’s Occupational Safety and Health Division (Cal/OSHA). Parker was Chief of Cal/OSHA from September 2019 until his confirmation as US OSHA’s head administrator.

As Chief of Cal/OSHA, Parker oversaw the implementation of California’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 workplace safety, when it was enacted early last summer. Many other entities, including local, State, and Federal agencies have cited California’s ETS as a model when drafting similar occupational infectious disease control measures.

Parker has vowed to maintain an open communication with industry stakeholders as head of OSHA. During his confirmation hearing he said
“…I understand how important it is to hear input on the issues facing our workplaces. If confirmed, I will maintain that commitment to stakeholder dialogue. We do not have to choose between a strong economy and good, safe jobs; listening to and learning from stakeholders is how we can ensure both.”

Prior to joining Cal/OSHA, Parker was executive director of a California legal services provider and served as deputy assistant secretary of policy at the Mine Safety and Health Administration during the Obama administration.
 

OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine, Testing Rule Moves Forward

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently concluded its review of OSHA's ETS concerning employee vaccination and testing for large employers.

A Rule could appear this week in the Federal Register.

Public and private sector stakeholder meetings ended on October 29. OSHA met with industry associations, law firms, State and local Chambers of Commerce, large employers with covered workers nationwide, and others.

OSHA’s ETS is expected to require private employers with 100 or more workers to ensure their employees are vaccinated or conduct weekly testing of unvaccinated employees.
 

COVID-19 Safety Awareness Online Training

To help US workplaces safely resume and continue operations, Lion launched the COVID-19 Employee Safety Awareness Online Course. The course is designed to help satisfy training mandates for employees concerning COVID-19, preparing employees to: 
  • Recognize signs, symptoms, and risk factors for COVID-19.
  • Describe how the COVID-19 disease is transmitted.
  • Follow recommended hygiene and work protocols to prevent exposure.
  • Properly use and care for PPE and face coverings, when required. 
 
This self-paced online course is updated regularly to reflect evolving information on COVID-19 workplace exposure. As more employees nationwide return to work, it is crucial that they know how to protect themselves and their co-workers from exposure to COVID-19.

Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, osha, safety

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

The instructor was very patient and engaging - willing to answer and help explain subject matter.

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

The instructor was very engaging and helped less experienced people understand the concepts.

Steve Gall

Safety Leader

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.

Neil Ozonur

Safety Officer

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

More thorough than a class I attended last year through another company.

Troy Yonkers

HSES Representative

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Ace hazmat inspections. Protect personnel. Defend against civil and criminal penalties. How? See the self-audit "best practices" for hazardous materials shippers.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.