Review Commission May Stop Reviewing

Dec. 8, 2000
The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission may soon be one commissioner shy of the quorum needed to review contested OSHA cases.

The departure last week of Gary Vissher from the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) means it may soon be one commissioner shy of the quorum it needs to review contested OSHA enforcement actions.

The commission currently has two members, Chairman Thomasina Rogers and Stuart Weisberg. But Weisberg is a "recess appointment" who was never confirmed by the Senate.

This means that when the current Congress goes into recess, his term will expire, leaving Rogers as the sole member on the commission.

A minimum of two commissioners is necessary in order to conduct reviews, although OSHRC''s public information officer, Linda Whitsett, says Rogers can continue to place cases on the calendar if she is the only commissioner.

President Clinton may decide to replace Weisberg by making another recess appointment after Congress leaves town and before the new president is inaugurated.

The last time the Republicans won the White House from the Democrats it took approximately four months to get a new commissioner appointed and approved by the Senate, Whitsett said.

Vissher, a Republican, was appointed by Clinton and joined the commission July 4, 1999.

His term was to expire in April of 2001. Whitsett said Vissher has accepted a position at the Iron and Steel Institute, a Virginia-based trade association.

Weisberg''s upcoming departure will be welcomed by industry groups who opposed his appointment because they believed he too often took an anti-business position on cases before the commission.

by James Nash

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

Ensuring a Safer Workplace through a Comprehensive Contractor Qualification Framework

March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...

EQT Private Equity to Acquire Avetta from WCAS

March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.

Guide to OSHA Workplace Lighting Requirements

March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers and why do they matter?

March 13, 2025
From raw materials to final products, each supplier tier poses risks and liabilities that can impact your organization. Avetta's supply chain management software offers peace ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!