JOB SAFETY AND HEALTH EXPERT NAMED TO OSHA POST
Jordan Barab, an expert in workplace safety and health known for his
ability to build strong coalitions around public health issues, will
join the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in
September as special assistant to the assistant secretary.
Charles Jeffress, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, said that Barab
is uniquely qualified to assume the post. “Jordan Barab brings nearly 20
years of experience in workplace safety and health. He is a leader in
promoting and developing public health policies that benefit workers
throughout the nation. We are pleased to welcome him and his
contributions to OSHA.”
In his new role Barab will work closely with Jeffress on a variety of
issues, providing advice and consultation on program and policy matters.
His portfolio will include special focus on service industries,
including identifying high risk occupations and industries, expanding
agency services for these industries, developing outreach materials,
helping prepare agency compliance officers for inspections and
assistance efforts and identifying emerging issues. He will also provide
advice to the assistant secretary on issues of concern to employees,
unions, professional organizations and other stakeholder groups.
Barab will become the second special assistant to the assistant
secretary, joining Art DeCoursey who serves as the agency’s small
business liaison.
Since 1982 Barab has worked for the American Federation of State, County
and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). For the past eight years he served as
the assistant director for health and safety, directing the
organization’s efforts to reduce injuries and illnesses in American
workplaces. In that capacity Barab collaborated with OSHA and other
organizations on such issues as AIDS, tuberculosis and workplace
violence.
A member of numerous professional organizations, Barab has written and
lectured extensively on job safety and health issues. He is a 1975
graduate of Claremont Mens College in California and earned his master’s
degree in 1978 from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced
International Studies. Originally from California, he and his family now
live in Takoma Park, Md., a suburb of Washington, D.C.
