National News Release     USDL: 01-256
August 6, 2001
Contact: Stuart Roy
Phone: (202) 693-4650

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced today that the United States Senate has confirmed John Henshaw as the new Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on Friday.

"American workers win with John Henshaw," Chao said. "John is the perfect person to lead an effort to create the safest and healthiest environment for American workers."

Prior to his nomination, Henshaw served as director for environment, safety and health at Astaris LLC in St. Louis, a joint venture between Solutia Inc. and FMC. From 1997 to 2000 he served in a similar position with Solutia Inc. Henshaw has over 26 years experience in the safety and health profession in small to medium sized businesses. He has also served in the Air National Guard, working as a bioenvironmental engineer.

Henshaw is a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Society of Safety Engineers and was president of the American Industrial Hygiene Association from 1990 to 1991. He graduated from Appalachian State University and received his M.P.H. from the University of Michigan School of Public Health in 1974.

Henshaw is from St. Louis. He lives with his wife and has four grown children.