As Dean McKenzie takes over as head of federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s construction directorate, he faces a long list of regulatory priorities. At the top of the agenda: put in place, by January, a new proposal on crane operator certification requirements.
Construction industry safety specialists welcome McKenzie’s appointment, which took effect on Sept. 1, and say his background in the industry and at OSHA will serve him well as he begins his new job. McKenzie served as OSHA deputy director from 2013-2015. He succeeds Jim Maddux, a longtime OSHA official who retired in December.