New OSHA Director: Scary Thoughts

Inside OSHA (paid subscription) is reporting that Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor (and former ephedra lobbyist) Jonathan Snare is being considered for the permanent position. Snare, a Texas Republian operative who has been with the Department of Labor's Solicitor's office for the past couple of years.

It is widely believed that Snare is vying to make his current position permanent, numerous industry
sources say.

"He definitely wants the job and he has done well as acting head," an industry source says. Industry officials were originally disgruntled by Snare’s appointment
because of his previous position in the Labor Department Solicitors Office.
"Snare seems to be shrugging off the stigma of the solicitor’s office. He’s been very open to industry concerns," one industry official says.

Hey, if he's OK for industry, what else is there to be said?

Other candidates for the slot seem to be Stuart Burkhammer is currently director of construction services within OSHA’s contruction office. Burkhammer was principal vice president and manager for corporate environment, safety and health services at the construction company Bechtel for 10 years. Another candidate receiving mention is Sherwood Kelly, the senior vice president of safety in the construction risk management group at Willis Corp., a risk management and insurance intermediary company.

But NIOSH Director John Howard and industry lawyer Horace (Topper) Thompson are still considered the leading candidates for the job, according to Inside OSHA.

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