After the 2008 Presidential election and the institution of the Obama administration, there was a clear change in the direction that OSHA was taking. This direction was announced by then-Secretary Solis when she noted that there was a "new sheriff in town" and that enforcement would now be the watchword, particularly at OSHA. Clearly there was a new direction that involved an aggressive enforcement and inspection program as well as an increased emphasis on the regulatory agenda. OSHA focused on doing new directives not requiring rulemaking and instituted the use of direct final rule making which had not been utilized in the previous administration. Also there was a change in the penalty calculations and instructions from the national office which limited the ability of OSHA Area Office Directors to settle cases.
After the 2008 Presidential election and the institution of the Obama administration, there was a clear change in the direction that OSHA was taking. This direction was announced by then-Secretary Solis when she noted that there was a "new sheriff in town" and that enforcement would now be the watchword, particularly at OSHA. Clearly there was a new direction that involved an aggressive enforcement and inspection program as well as an increased emphasis on the regulatory agenda. OSHA focused on doing new directives not requiring rulemaking and instituted the use of direct final rule making which had not been utilized in the previous administration. Also there was a change in the penalty calculations and instructions from the national office which limited the ability of OSHA Area Office Directors to settle cases.
