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News Release USDL: 96-23
Tuesday, January 30, 1996
Contact: Frank Kane (202) 219-8151

Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich said today he is renewing the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) for two years, beginning Jan. 1, 1996.

The committee advises the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Joseph A. Dear, on issues relating to the delivery of occupational safety and health programs, policies and standards that affect the U.S. maritime industries.

MACOSH addresses the concerns of the entire maritime community, focusing on the shipyard and marine cargo (longshoring) handling industries. It will continue to make recommendations on issues related to (1) reducing injuries and illnesses in the maritime industries, (2) expanding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) outreach and training programs through the use of innovative partnerships and (3) expediting the development and promulgation of OSHA standards.

"Renewal of MACOSH will enable OSHA to continue to be responsive to the uniqueness of industries that have suffered economically as a result of changes in the global market," Dear said. "This action is consistent with the President's initiative to make the U.S. shipyard industry competitive in the worldwide community. The committee also will continue to provide a focused forum for discussions with the marine cargo handling community."

Dear said that the committee's efforts will result in streamlined standards promulgation, better focused enforcement efforts, and extended outreach and training initiatives. The committee also focuses on the resolution of controversial issues, particularly those with international implications, that have an impact on the shipyard and marine cargo handling communities.

The committee will continue to have about 20 members representing the divergent interests of the maritime community. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires at least one member designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; at least one member designated by a state safety and health agency, and equal numbers of representatives of employers and employees. Other members have been selected based on their knowledge and experience to include representatives from professional and other governmental organizations with specific maritime responsibilities.

The committee functions solely as an advisory body. Meetings are announced in the Federal Register and are open to the public.

Notice of the renewal is in the Tuesday, Jan. 30, 1996, Federal Register. Comments on the notice must be received on or before Feb. 14, 1996, and should be submitted in writing to OSHA, Office of Maritime Standards, Room N-3621, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20210, phone (202) 219-7234 or fax (202) 219-7477.

The charter for the committee was originally filed Feb. 8, 1995, with a stipulation that the committee would terminate prior to Dec. 31, 1995.