OSHA Head Joins Fisher Phillips

ATLANTA, GA (November 10, 2008) - Fisher Phillips announced that former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., has joined the firm. In his government role, Mr. Foulke headed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) where he oversaw a staff of more than 2,200 safety and health professionals, whistleblower investigators and support personnel. As Assistant Secretary he was responsible for overseeing the agency's enforcement, rule making, compliance assistance, training activities, and whistleblower activities.

Mr. Foulke joins Fisher Phillips as a partner in the Workplace Safety and Catastrophe Management Practice Group, a multi-disciplinary group of attorneys who assist clients in developing and defending effective safety and health management programs in the context of the employer's overall labor relations strategy. Mr. Foulke's practice will include workplace safety compliance and strategic safety planning, defense of employers in workplace health and safety cases, providing advice and assistance to employers in responding to workplace catastrophes, and providing advice and advocacy for employers in legislative and regulatory matters.

Fisher Phillips Chairman and Managing Partner Roger Quillen said, "For several years we have quietly focused on increasing our ability to handle the most challenging OSHA, mine safety, and catastrophic situations. Ed's joining us will substantially add to our experience and sophistication in this area."

Mr. Foulke said, "I am extremely excited about joining a law firm which already enjoys a national reputation for the work its attorneys have done on many of the most difficult workplace safety cases. Fisher Phillips' commitment to assisting employers in strengthening workplace safety programs and protecting employees, coupled with its deep labor and employment resources, permits me to pursue a unique approach to workplace safety and employee relations. This approach will allow our clients to be more profitable and competitive in the global marketplace."

Mr. Foulke has practiced workplace safety and health law for almost 30 years. President George W. Bush appointed Mr. Foulke to head OSHA on September 25, 2005, the Senate confirmed him on March 15, 2006 and he was sworn in on April 3, 2006. During his tenure with OSHA, workplace injuries, illnesses and fatality rates dropped to their lowest level in recorded history. Mr. Foulke also served on the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission from 1990 to 1995, chairing the commission from March 1990 to February 1994. The three-member commission is an independent federal adjudicatory agency that renders decisions involving workplace safety and health citations arising from OSHA inspections. Mr. Foulke is the only person to ever head both OSHA and the Commission. He also served on the Workplace Health and Safety Committee for the Society for Human Resource Management from 2000 to 2004 and was a member of the Health and Safety Subcommittee for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He also has spoken and written extensively on workplace safety and health issues as well as whistleblower protection.

A native of Perkasie, PA, Mr. Foulke graduated from North Carolina State University with honors in 1974. He earned his law degree from Loyola University in 1978, and a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University in 1993.

About the Workplace Safety & Catastrophe Management Practice
Fisher Phillips attorneys draw upon all aspects of their labor and employment practice to assist employers in compliance with OSHA, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and related state and federal safety standards, as well as assist employers in the management of inspections by OSHA, MSHA, State Plan agencies, and organizations ranging from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to the Chemical Safety Board (CSB). Fisher Phillips attorneys have handled hundreds of death and catastrophic injury cases in recent years, including dust explosions, falls, crane and forming collapses, lock-out and guarding, and a wide array of complex safety and industrial hygiene issues. Fisher Phillips emphasizes case handling in the context of an effective workplace safety and health management program, which is also crucial to maintaining a strong employee relations atmosphere.

Fisher Phillips attorneys approach a workplace catastrophe in a multidisciplinary manner, including management of the competing investigation demands, employee relations, media relations, and limiting exposure to ancillary civil and criminal cases.