OSHA extends nomination deadline for federal worker advisory committee

Washington — OSHA has extended, for a second time, the deadline to submit nominations to serve on the reestablished Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health.

According to a notice published in the Jan. 31 Federal Register, the new deadline is March 31. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh filed the two-year charter for FACOSH on Oct. 14, and the initial deadline to submit nominations was Nov. 22. OSHA then pushed that deadline to Jan. 31. The council advises the secretary on all matters relating to the occupational safety and health of federal employees, which includes “providing advice on how to reduce and keep to a minimum the number of injuries and illnesses in the federal workforce, and how to encourage the establishment and maintenance of effective occupational safety and health programs in each federal agency.”

Half of the 16-member council will represent federal department and agency management, and the other half will represent federal employees. Members serve staggered terms of up to three years, and the secretary may appoint some members for consecutive terms. The council will meet at least two times a year.

Walsh filed the charter for FACOSH after President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14048 on Sept. 30 to continue or reestablish certain federal advisory committees.