Former OSHA Head’s Transition Role Suggests Quick Emergency Rule

David Michaels is known in the worker safety world for being the longest-serving administrator of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration under President Barack Obama.

In his seven years at OSHA’s helm, he became known by management attorneys for publicizing corporate safety fines through press releases. In union and advocate circles, he’s known for promulgating rules that strengthened exposure standards for silica and beryllium, and bolstering injury and illness record-keeping and reporting.

An epidemiologist and environmental and occupational health professor at George Washington University School of Public Health, Michaels has been named to President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team ...