In brief
David Keeling, former UPS and Amazon health and safety executive, has been nominated by President Trump to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As the agency considers new regulations aimed at protecting millions of workers from extreme heat, his past decisions at UPS are under scrutiny. Despite support from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which advocates for worker safety, many labor advocates recall his resistance to implementing air-conditioning in delivery trucks, leaving workers vulnerable to dangerous heat conditions.
For years, UPS drivers have voiced concerns over the lack of air-conditioning in the company's delivery vans, particularly during heatwaves. David Keeling, who worked for UPS for nearly four decades and later at Amazon, has been nominated by President Trump to head OSHA, a crucial agency overseeing workplace safety standards. As he faces a crucial Senate committee vote, Keeling's history at UPS raises questions about his commitment to safeguarding workers in light of proposed regulations requiring employers in sectors like agriculture and construction to provide adequate heat protection. While the Teamsters have endorsed him, others argue that his track record shows a lack of action on necessary heat safety improvements.
