Safety advocate is named acting head of OSHA

[babylonsister]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/652046.html

Safety advocate is named acting head of OSHA
By Ames Alexander & Kerry Hall
Posted: Wednesday, Apr. 08, 2009


Jordan Barab, a Congressional staffer with expertise in workplace safety and a history of standing up for employees in both the private and public sectors, has been named the acting head of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis appointed Barab as acting assistant secretary for OSHA while the department decides on a permanent leader for the agency, according to a Wednesday announcement by the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee. Barab has also been named to the number two job at OSHA as the deputy assistant secretary. He starts his new duties on Monday.

Barab joined the House Education and Labor Committee in February 2007 as senior labor policy advisor for health and safety after four years at the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. He served as special assistant to the assistant director of labor for OSHA from 1998 to 2001, and directed the safety and health program for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees from 1982 to 1998.

From 2003 to 2007, he wrote a web log about workplace health and safety called Confined Space.

“Jordan will bring a tremendous amount of valuable health and safety experience to an agency that has been neglected for far too long,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., who chairs the House committee. “Throughout his career, Jordan has demonstrated the specialized knowledge of health and safety issues needed to revamp the agency and strengthen its efforts to protect Americans while on the job.”

OSHA was created in 1971 following congressional hearings that highlighted dangerous working conditions. Congress told the agency to craft and enforce regulations to protect workers.

[jwirr]

1. Could this be a solution to the pugs holding up all these nominees?

Place them on the job and when they do good demand that the pugs give up?

[babylonsister]

2. This guy works for Hilda Solis who has been confirmed.

I do think, besides just obstructing for obstruction's sake, they are afraid of the people they're holding up and what those people will accomplish once they're in their respective jobs, if the rethugs don't manage to thwart them.

Edit: Oops! I just reread the OP. Could be you're right, and they can fill the positions 'for now'. But in some departments, I think they're having a tough time finding credible candidates or even seat warmers, like possibly in Justice (Dawn Johnsen comes to mind).