Maryland's New Safety Director, Oh My!

My home state of Maryland has a new state commissioner of labor and industry, Robert L. Lawson. Lawson, former safety director at the Potomac Electric Power Co, will oversee Maryland OSHA.

I eagerly read this article about him, hoping for someone to breath some life into the agency -- even if the governor is a Republican -- until I read this:

At the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Lawson hopes to leave his mark overseeing employment standards, occupational safety and health, wage and safety inspection programs, and the safety of Maryland's railroads, amusement rides and traveling amusement parks.

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And in his new role, Lawson is also hoping that workers change the way they act at work - and at home - by thinking of safety first.

It would probably help if they closed their eyes and clicked their heels together at the same time.

Oh well.