Trump Appoints Previous Amazon Executive to Supervise Worker Safety in the Workplace
In a move that's left many scratching their heads, the new Trump administration has chosen an intriguing figure to oversee worker health and safety nationwide. David Keeling, who served in high-ranking safety positions at Amazon and UPS, has been tapped to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). But with Amazon's lengthy history of worker safety disputes, this decision has sparked quite a stir.
As reported by Bloomberg, the former director of global road and transportation safety at Amazon, David Keeling, is now President Trump's pick to head OSHA. If his nomination is confirmed, Keeling will be tasked with ensuring workplace safety - a role that raises eyebrows considering Amazon's past run-ins with OSHA.
Amazon's relationship with the federal agency has been far from smooth. Over the years, the company has been cited multiple times for various worker safety violations. The most recent incidents were in 2022 and 2023, and just last February, Amazon was yet again under OSHA's scrutiny for worker protection violations at three of its warehouses. OSHA's assistant secretary, Doug Parker, was quick to point out that the company's operations were creating hazardous work conditions, resulting in serious employee injuries.
This isn't the first time Amazon has come under fire for its worker safety practices. An investigation by the Senate uncovered that the company had ignored internal research indicating its stringent work quotas were causing worker injuries.
Keeling himself is no stranger to controversy. Prior to working for Amazon, he served as the director of safety compliance for UPS from 2011 to 2018. During his tenure at UPS, the company faced safety violations, mirroring Amazon's issues.
Keeling expressed his gratitude for the nomination, stating that he looks forward to working with Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling at the U.S. Department of Labor. Sonderling, who previously worked in the Labor Department under the first Trump administration, famously championed a federal guidance that classified gig workers as contractors, not employees.
Amazon's history of clashing with federal regulators, including the NLRB, raises concerns about whether Keeling's past roles align with the mission of OSHA. The company even joined Musk's SpaceX to file a lawsuit against the NLRB in 2022, accusing the agency of being unconstitutional.
If Keeling's nomination is confirmed, Amazon would have a former company executive leading the agency responsible for investigating its worker safety practices. This has sparked concern and criticism as critics question whether someone with a history of working at companies with significant safety issues should lead an agency responsible for enforcing workplace safety standards.
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/26/david-keeling-amazon-health-safety-executive-nominated-to-lead-osha.html[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/technology/osha-david-keeling-amazon.html[3] https://www.businessinsider.com/amazons-treatment-of-delivery-partners-schemes-allegations-2023-5[4] https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/Senate_Investigations_Insights.htm[5] https://www.ups.com/content/us/en/aboutus/management/leadership-team/keeling_d.html
[1] If David Keeling's nomination to lead OSHA is confirmed in 2023, his role in ensuring workplace safety will be closely watched, considering Amazon's previous run-ins with OSHA.
[2] The tech industry, particularly companies like Amazon, has been under scrutiny for their worker safety practices in recent years, with several high-profile incidents and violations.
[3] With the future of OSHA under the leadership of a former Amazon executive, there are concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the agency's ability to ensure worker safety standards are met.
[4] As OSHA's new head, David Keeling's background in tech and logistics companies like Amazon and UPS could serve as an advantage in understanding the unique challenges these industries pose when it comes to worker health and safety.
[5] Given Amazon's history of safety violations, some argue that having an executive from within the company lead OSHA could be a step towards improving the company's worker safety record, while others remain skeptical due to potential conflicts of interest.
[6] The nomination of David Keeling to lead OSHA in 2023 has sparked a debate in the tech and labor communities, with many questioning whether his previous roles align with the mission of ensuring workplace safety standards.
