By Heather Hunt

OSHA wants to be known as "the good cop on the corner" to whom citizens feel comfortable asking for directions and using as a resource for information, said Edwin G. Foulke, new head of OSHA, at the 2006 American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Professional Development Conference & Exposition in Seattle.

He said OSHA is only the "bad cop" for companies who "run the red light" by violating safety regulations.

In addressing the focus of OSHA under his tenure, Foulke promised that the agency would emphasize prevention and compliance by continuing its successful alliance and partnership programs but would also conduct aggressive enforcement against companies that flagrantly flout OSHA's rules.

Foulke indicated he wants to project the image of OSHA as a helpful resource for safety and health programs but will not hesitate to enforce against companies who don't want to accept help to make their workplaces safe and healthy for all employees. He acknowledged that OSHA began with enforcement 35 years ago by establishing a set of standards for employers to follow. But he said he wants OSHA to move to "the next level" by reaching out to companies that have not yet been reached with the safety message.

Foulke reiterated that OSHA's mission continues to be reducing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in workplaces across the country. He also insisted that when this mission is accomplished, it helps American business. How? Safe companies are more profitable by saving on worker's compensation costs and lost work time, which lowers the cost of working in this country and ultimately keeps business in America .

It is this message that Foulke wants to impress on those companies who still distrust OSHA as a government agency that is "out to get them." Foulke is encouraged by the upward curve in OSHA's image as a helpful resource among American businesses, and now wants to reach out to companies who still don't realize the benefits and profitability of safe workplaces.

OSHA will look to its alliances and partnerships, such as its alliance with ASSE which it renewed in a signing ceremony directly following Foulke's speech, to help it identify companies it has yet to reach with the safety message.  

Foulke cited pandemic flu, globally harmonized system (GHS) for hazard communication, and nanotechnology as new areas for standards that OSHA is examining and will be addressing in the coming months. OSHA is working with other federal agencies to work on the pandemic flu standard and may have action by the next flu season. Since nanotechnology is such a new field, Foulke is not sure what the approach to the standard will be, but he is eager to work on this area.