Senate Panel Holds Hearing on Biden OSHA Pick

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee held a confirmation hearing May 27 for Doug Parker, the Biden administration’s nominee to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Parker now oversees the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. Senators are likely to probe his lead role in developing Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 emergency temporary standard, even as federal OSHA’s COVID-19 workplace safety rulemaking remains under review at the White House’s regulatory office. Parker could also face questions on how he would further President Biden‘s call for more enforcement of federal safety regulations and efforts to protect workers from retaliation when they raise concerns with employers or OSHA.