OSHA seeks nominations for construction advisory committee

UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect that Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta appointed 12 members to the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health on Aug. 2.

Washington — OSHA is accepting nominations for its Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, the agency announced in a notice published in the Sept. 17 Federal Register.

The 15-person committee advises the assistant secretary of labor on construction standards and policy matters. Members are appointed by the secretary of labor and serve staggered two-year terms. Five members represent construction employers and five represent construction employees. The other third of the committee breaks down as follows:

• Two members from state safety and health agencies.
• Two public members, “qualified by knowledge and experience to make a useful contribution to the work of ACCSH.”
• One representative selected by the secretary of health and human services. (The only position in which a new committee member will not be appointed.)

ACCSH has not met since June 20, 2017, according to OSHA’s website.

In a letter dated April 24, a group of 42 organizations concerned about “recent reports that the Department of Labor is stalling, disbanding and allowing the lapse of several critical federal advisory committees” called on Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta to fill vacancies on five committees, including ACCSH.

The others are the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health, the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, and the Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee.

The group also asked Acosta to select members for the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health “with balanced representation from the scientific, medical and claimant communities.” Acosta did so on Aug. 2, appointing 12 members to the board.

ACCSH nominations are due by Nov. 16.