Safety Community Applauds Senate Confirmation of David Keeling as New OSHA Chief
ASSP and NSC praise the confirmation of veteran safety professional David Keeling to lead OSHA, citing his decades of experience, commitment to modernization, and the urgent need to address persistent workplace fatalities and safety challenges.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Oct 06, 2025
The U.S. safety community is welcoming new leadership at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following the Senate’s confirmation of David Keeling as the 14th Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) applauded the appointment, noting Keeling’s nearly four decades of safety leadership and long-time involvement in the organization as a member since 2002. ASSP President Linda Tapp, CSP, ALCM, CPTD, emphasized the importance of OSHA’s role in an evolving workplace landscape.
“OSHA’s leadership is more important than ever given today’s workplace safety challenges and the continuing evolution of how work is performed,” Tapp said. “We know David is a strong proponent of protecting workers, and his extensive knowledge and skills as a safety professional will certainly help the agency. We look forward to working with him and his staff on many substantial issues.”
Keeling’s agenda for OSHA includes modernizing regulatory oversight and rulemaking through cutting-edge technologies, predictive analytics, and informed design—tools aimed at reducing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. He has also expressed strong support for industrial consensus standards, calling them a vital mechanism for advancing best practices and safety outcomes across industries.
The National Safety Council (NSC) also issued a statement celebrating the confirmation. “The National Safety Council congratulates David Keeling on his successful confirmation as the next head of OSHA,” said Lorraine Martin, CEO of NSC. “David is a proven safety leader who will help continue the agency’s long legacy of protecting the health and wellbeing of our workers. NSC looks forward to partnering with OSHA to continue to exert strong leadership on issues impacting workplace safety so that every American makes it home at the end of their shift.”
The statement underscored the urgency of OSHA’s mission. In 2023, there were 4,543 preventable occupational fatalities in the United States. Transportation incidents accounted for 37% of workplace deaths, making roadway-related incidents the leading cause of fatal injuries on the job. These deaths, along with serious workplace incidents, cost the nation hundreds of billions of dollars annually in lost wages, productivity, medical expenses, and administrative costs—while inflicting immeasurable impacts on families and communities.
ASSP, which represents 36,000 safety and health professionals, said it looks forward to close collaboration with Keeling and his team to advance their shared mission of ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for all U.S. workers. NSC echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the need for strong OSHA leadership to address persistent safety challenges with urgency and innovation.
Keeling’s confirmation comes at a pivotal time for the agency as it faces modern hazards, regulatory updates, and the need to strengthen enforcement while adapting to rapid changes in how Americans work. Safety leaders say his blend of technical expertise and strategic vision positions him to make a significant impact on national workplace safety.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.