ASSP recently sent a letter to leaders in the U.S. Senate urging them to move ahead with the full Senate vote on Scott Mugno's nomination to head OSHA. Mugno, a long-time ASSP member, was nominated for the role in late October 2017. In December 2017, he testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and has twice been approved by that committee for a vote before the full Senate.

"Mr. Mugno is a seasoned and dedicated safety professional who stands ready and able to serve," ASSP President Rixio Medina, CSP, ASP, CPP, states. Pending matters on the agency's regulatory agenda, including silica and injury/illness recordkeeping, demand the leadership of a confirmed official.

The assistant secretary position has been vacant since the departure of David Michaels in January 2017. Loren Sweatt currently is acting assistant secretary.