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News Release USDL: 96-478
Wednesday, November 13, 1996
Contact: Frank Kane, (202) 219-8151

The National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) will hold public meetings on Dec. 10-11 and on Jan. 15-16, 1997, in the U.S. Department of Labor, Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

The Dec. 11-12 meeting will be in Room S4215 A-C, and the Jan. 15-16 meeting will be in Room N3437 A-D. Both meetings will begin at 9 a.m. each day and last until about 4 p.m. the first day and 3 p.m. the second day.

Agenda items for Dec. 10 include: a brief overview of current activities in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); a description of a NIOSH Cooperative Research Agreement on hearing loss prevention; a regulatory update; and a discussion of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) in relation to OSHA as well as performance measurement and evaluation within OSHA.

On Dec. 11, there will be a panel presentation on ergonomics including an update on the planned conference; enforcement activities; the development of a regulation; OSHA's ergonomics capability; and NIOSH research relating to ergonomics. The remainder of the day will be devoted to planning future NACOSH meetings and activities.

The Jan. 15-16 meeting will be devoted to the subject of developing performance measurements and evaluating programs in addition to the regular updates on OSHA and NIOSH activities. Several panels will be formed to discuss the indicators and measures OSHA might use, as well as the data and mechanisms that would be needed for such measurement.

The committee is interested in exploring what other organizations and groups are doing in terms of measuring performance and evaluating safety programs, intervention and related issues such as employee participation. The committee is asking members of the public who have participated in studies or programs related to performance measurement and evaluation of occupational safety and health programs to share their findings and/or experiences with NACOSH either in written form or in oral presentations before the committee to the extent that time permits.

Those who are interested in making presentations on Jan. 15 or Jan. 16 should notify, no later than Dec. 9, Joanne Goodell, OSHA, Room N-3641, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20210, telephone (202) 219-8021, ext. 107, or fax (202) 219-4383. Presenters must provide their name, the capacity in which the person will appear, a brief outline of the content of the presentation, preference of appearance date if there is one, mail address, telephone and fax numbers. Presentations will be limited to 10 minutes with time allowed for questions from committee members.

Written data, views or comments for consideration by the committee may be submitted, preferably with 20 copies, to Goodell at the above address. Any such submissions received prior to the meeting will be provided to the committee and included in the record of the meeting. Individuals with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact Tom Hall, OSHA Division of Consumer Affairs, Room N-3647, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20210, telephone (202) 219-8615 or fax (202) 219-5986 one week before the meeting.

An official record of the meeting will be available for public inspection in the OSHA Technical Data Center (TDC), located in Room N-2625 of the Department of Labor building, telephone (202) 219-7500.

NACOSH was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to advise the secretaries of labor and health and human services on occupational safety and health programs and policies. Members of the 12-person advisory committee are chosen on the basis of their knowledge and experience in occupational safety and health.

Notice of the NACOSH meeting was published in the Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1996, Federal Register. Additional information can be obtained from Goodell at the previously mentioned address and phone number.