Former OSHA Administrator Jeffress Surfaces at Chemical Safety Board

June 19, 2002
Former Assistant Secretary of Labor Charles N. Jeffress was named chief operating officer of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board today. Jeffress becomes the agency's senior civil service official, ending a two-and-a-half year period of interim administration.

Jeffress served as OSHA administrator from 1997 to 2001. Named Business Week "Regulator of the Year" in 2001, Jeffress oversaw the first major amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act and established several award-winning new programs while at OSHA, including an agency-wide performance management system.

"We are delighted that Mr. Jeffress has decided to join our management team," said CSB board member Dr. Gerald Poje, who served as the board's interim executive. "He brings a wealth of pertinent knowledge and experience and is one of the most widely respected leaders throughout the safety community. With his selection and the pending nominations of a new chairperson and board member, the CSB will be well positioned to tackle new challenges."

Prior to serving in the Labor Department, Jeffress served as director of North Carolina OSHA. He has been widely credited with improving the standing of the agency following a disastrous workplace fire in the state. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina (UNC) and holds management certificates from UNC and Harvard University.

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

Unleashing the Power of Stories: Level-up Safety Culture with Three Easy Storytelling Tools

Jan. 3, 2025
Effective storytelling can shape a workplace culture and improve safety, especially in times of change when risk soars, hazards multiply and human factors threaten to derail progress...

4 Resources to Get Better Safety Performances From Supervisors

Jan. 3, 2025
Here is an overview of four of the best safety resources that safety folks can use as they consider how to get better safety performances from supervisors and workplace leaders...

4 Often Overlooked Types of New Workers—and the Different Dangers They Face

Jan. 3, 2025
This blog post is an adapted excerpt from the safety guide Fitting in Fast: Making a Safe Workplace for New Hires, which examines data and best practices regarding the protection...

4 Ways Frontline Supervisors Influence Workplace Safety

Jan. 3, 2025
These four areas determine whether frontline supervisors are having a positive or negative effect on workplace safety.

Voice your opinion!

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