On April 9, the White House announced President Joe Biden's nomination of Doug Parker to head the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Parker currently is chief of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA).

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the nature of work in many industries and brought renewed attention to the importance of workplace safety, but OSHA continues to carry out inspections and issue citations to employers that expose workers to hazardous conditions.

OSHA recently cited a Waterville, Maine, auto body manufacturer for 2 willful and 10 serious safety and health violations. The agency is seeking $393,992 in fines from The Shyft Group Duramag LLC, formerly known as F3 MFG Inc.

Under the last regulatory flexibility agenda signed by Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia, OSHA has retained rulemakings to expand the communication tower standard and establish standards for infectious disease exposures and the prevention of workplace violence in health care and social assistance.

OSHA recently cited the U.S. subsidiary of a multinational electrical equipment maker for violations of confined space entry, respiratory protection, and other standards, seeking $119,757 in proposed penalties.