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The Senate has confirmed David Keeling, a former safety executive at Amazon and UPS, to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in a narrow 51-47 vote. His appointment sets up a potential clash between his industry-first philosophy and the agency's worker protection mandate.
From shop floor to top floor: Keeling's career began nearly four decades ago as a Teamsters union member at UPS, where he ultimately ran global health and safety for the company. He later served as Amazon's director of road and transportation safety, giving him a resume that spans from the loading dock to the executive suite.
The industry playbook: In statements, Keeling has signaled a vision to modernize OSHA by prioritizing what he calls “global industry consensus standards.” He maintains that these industry-developed rules undergo tougher scrutiny and are kept more current than many of the agency's own regulations, arguing the “best source of safety improvements originates with the people who perform the job every day.”
Fox in the henhouse?: Worker advocacy groups fear Keeling’s corporate history means he will prioritize company profits over worker protection. Adding to the concern, both Amazon and UPS have recently been hit with OSHA citations for failing to protect workers from heat. According to a New York Times report, executives from both companies have also lobbied against federal heat rules.
Keeling faces his first battleground as leader with the agency's pending federal heat safety standard. His approach to the rule, which requires employers to provide basics like water and breaks in the shade, will show whether he will push for stronger government regulation or defer to the industry-led model he has championed.
Keeling’s confirmation is part of a broader leadership change across federal workplace safety agencies. He takes the helm amid concerns about a shrinking OSHA and the looming threat of a government shutdown, which could complicate his agenda.
