Richard Fairfax

Richard Fairfax

Richard Fairfax (CIH, retired 2017) joined OSHA in January 1978 and retired from the agency in 2013. At OSHA, he was a practicing field industrial hygienist, as well as the deputy director and director of enforcement programs. In 2008, Richard served as acting director of construction and, in 2010, was designated deputy assistant secretary – overseeing all field, enforcement and training operations. From 1993 through 2010, Richard wrote an industrial hygiene column entitled, “OSHA Compliance Issues” for the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. He still serves on the Editorial Review Board. Richard now works part time for NSC-ORC HSE.

Articles

ARTICLES

heat-photo

On Safety: OSHA’s NEP on outdoor, indoor heat hazards

May 5, 2022
Richard Fairfax
No Comments
On April 8, OSHA launched its long-awaited National Emphasis Program on outdoor and indoor heat hazards. A compliance directive (OSHA Instruction CPL 03-00-0240) describes agency policies and procedures related to the NEP. The program targets specific industries that OSHA considers to have the highest exposure potential to heat-related hazards and resulting illnesses and deaths.
Read More
OSHA logo

On Safety: OSHA’s current regulatory agenda

January 31, 2022
Richard Fairfax
No Comments
The unified agenda is intended to let the “regulated community” know what the different agencies are working on, or planning to work on, over the next six months. It’s an interesting document. Some administrations put everything they can think of on it – whether they’re actually working on it or not. Others keep it simple by listing only what they’re actually intending to work on. My preference has always been the latter.
Read More
forklift-traffic-sign

On Safety: Training for powered industrial trucks

October 4, 2021
Richard Fairfax
One Comment
OSHA requires that operators of powered industrial trucks be trained before operating the equipment independently. That training must consist of instruction – classroom (lecture based) and practical training – on the safe and proper operation of the PIT, the hazards of operating the vehicle in the workplace, and the requirements of the OSHA standard on PITs.
Read More