Release Number: 11-1023-NAT
July 7, 2011
Contact: Diana Petterson Jesse Lawder
Phone: 202-693-1898 202-693-4659
Email: petterson.diana@dol.gov lawder.jesse@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA seeks membership nominations to
Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is seeking nominations for membership to the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health by Sept. 6.

FACOSH advises the secretary of labor on occupational safety and health issues related to the federal workforce, including advice on how to reduce the number of worker injuries and illnesses. FACOSH has advised OSHA on issues including pandemic H1N1 influenza protection for the federal workforce; qualifications and educational requirements of the federal safety and occupational health management job series and the industrial hygiene job series; and core competencies, appropriate training and continuing education under the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010. The assistant secretary of labor for OSHA chairs FACOSH, which meets at least two times a year.

The 16-member FACOSH council comprises eight members representing federal agency management and eight members from labor organizations representing federal workers. OSHA is seeking nominations to fill three labor and three management vacancies. The secretary of labor will appoint new members to three-year terms.

Information on how to submit nominations is available in the July 7 Federal Register notice at http://s.dol.gov/GY. For general information, contact Francis Yebesi in OSHA's Office of Federal Agency Programs at 202-693-2122 or ofap@dol.gov. Press inquiries should be directed to Francis Meilinger in OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.