From a comment.
Hey guys, I'm curious about this: With all the animosity that there seems to be within OSHA at the "get-it-done" levels, do you think that a lot of CSHOs would jump at the opportunity to move to private industry (in the same field, safety & health, or EH&S, etc.)? Or do you think many stay because it is a true vocation, even though morale is down from the politics? How about safety professionals from industry wanting to move into OSHA (or other similar agencies in the EH&S field, i.e. EPA, DOT, State agencies, etc.)? Is this a smart move (although opportunities seem few and far between)? Finally, is it easy to move between federal agencies, or they specifically look for educational and experience background related to the agencies mission? I'm curious because of the anonymous poster who stated has been with four different agencies and wonder if they (or the roles themselves) all had to do with safety.
WE have constant turnover as the bigger companies pick off the OSHA people under 5 years of experience. The idealism of saving lives is shattered by constant reminders to "Just hurry up". We really have two OSHAs. The oldtimers like us and the young sharks under 5 years. Some of the Underground is ex-corporate safety and they certainly don't miss the 70 hours a week and being the puppet on the string. EPA is perceived by OSHA people to be one huge bureaucracy where nothing gets done. DOT is one of regulatory oversight. There is very little field work. The state OSHAs and consultation pay less than us on average. We often steal from them. There is something to be said for being the Old Dog in a small pond. WE get them their quotas, but we have alot of freedom to affect safety on an individual level with the companies and the injured. That is why we stick around. Foulke is a small blip as an administrator. We survived Aucther's horrors, we can live through life with Ed. Aucther actually transferred people that cited too much. He broke the illusion that safety was independent from politics. We were citing 10 foot falls as Other violations because we had to save our $1000 willful violations for the really bad guys.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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I was one of those people who actually cited the violations that I witnessed and used the penalty guidelines as written - it put me smack dab in the middle of the bullseye. I miss being a CSHO, but I had to get out. My spv had his head so far stuck up the director's a** that his chest was brown. The director wanted me gone and my spv was happy to oblige. I had several fake charges leveled against me. I spent more time documenting stuff to save my keister than I did doing my job. I endured, found a job in corporate H & S, then ran.
Every once in a while I think about going back to OSHA, but then I read more here and think of friends at OTI that have been shoved out the door. Then I give myself a good shake and go back to work.
Keep up the good fight.
"I was one of those people who actually cited the violations that I witnessed and used the penalty guidelines as written - it put me smack dab in the middle of the bullseye. I miss being a CSHO, but I had to get out. My spv had his head so far stuck up the director's a** that his chest was brown. The director wanted me gone and my spv was happy to oblige. I had several fake charges leveled against me. I spent more time documenting stuff to save my keister than I did doing my job."
There is nothing hellish than working for a bad AD.
When things go sour at the individual area office level, turn over becomes high. One bad manager can create an exodus of those with ability, leaving only the employees that don't function very well.
With the exception of San Francisco, Houston, Chicago and New York City, most of the pay is below private sector. The only great benefit is generous leave. No dental, no vision and only 70% of your medical premium is paid. But it's mostly secure, and it is easy to jump around between agencies.
Great, thank you for answering my questions, guys. You do a great job. Happy international workers' day (May 1st)! I'm in Corporate EH&S but have several college friends at OSHA and who used to be at OSHA.
Hey - be nice! I'll assume you mean ADs not smart enough to be reading your blog... ;-)
RE:"I'll assume you mean ADs not smart enough to be reading your blog... ;-)"
More talking about the Aucther ADs who were ruthless on the staff.
I hope AD's and AAD's read this blog, then they can see how dysfunctional the agency is.
Re:"then they can see how dysfunctional the agency is."
There are alot of good one out there. One quick riser to AD said "trying to get the CSHOs to get out to do inspections is like pushing rope up a hill"
The CSHOs make or break the office and standing in the chair and throwing a temper tantrum about the numbers just doesn't work. A 5% slowdown is noticeable to even a good manager. If all you are getting is a fully successful, the CSHOs have no reason to make you look good and every reason to make you look bad. The rating system is a joke when nearly every RA last year got an Exemplary and some Area Office only gave one to a CSHO.
Strasheim got an outstanding? Is that what you are saying? I thought he was forced to retire. I would have assumed his performance wasn't too good.
Retire after an outstanding year. Makes OSHA sense I imagine.
RE: "Strasheim got an outstanding? Is that what you are saying?"
No. Frank was on the outs with Ed on his last PA. Most of the other RA's got outstanding. He was forced to retired by making him move to Region 3 involuntarily.
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