DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Advisory Committee; Establishment

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of establishment of Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH).

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Labor has determined that it is in the public interest to establish an advisory committee to advise the Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on issues relating to the delivery of occupational safety and health programs, policies, and standards in the maritime industries of the United States. The committee will provide a collective expertise not otherwise available to the Secretary to address the complex and sensitive issues involved.

DATE: Comments must be received on or before March 1, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Any written comments in response to this notice should be sent, in quadruplicate, to the following address: OSHA, Office of Maritime Standards, Room N-3621, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210 (202) 219-7234, fax (202) 219-7477.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry Liberatore, Director, OSHA Office of Maritime Standards, Room N-3621, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210 (202) 219-7234, FAX (202) 219-7477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MACOSH is intended to address the concerns of the entire maritime community, focusing on the shipyard and marine cargo (longshoring) handling industries. This committee will continue the efforts of the previously chartered Shipyard Employment Standards Advisory Committee (SESAC) as well as provide a more focused forum of ongoing discussions with the marine cargo handling community. The specific objectives of this committee will be to make recommendations on issues related to: (1) reducing injuries and illnesses in the maritime industries, (2) improving OSHA outreach and training programs through the use of innovative partnerships, and (3) expediting the development and promulgation of OSHA standards.

Background

Establishment of this advisory committee will enable OSHA to be responsive to the uniquenesss of industries that have suffered economically as a result of any changes in the global market. This action is consistent with the President's initiative to make the U.S. shipyard and cargo handling industries competitive in the worldwide community. Furthermore, this committee will be able to focus on the resolution of those controversial issues, particularly those with international implications, that have impact in the shipyard and cargo handling communities. This committee will address the maritime community's concerns that will result in: streamlined standards promulgation, better focused enforcement efforts, and extended and improved outreach and training initiatives.

In accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), and after consultation with the General Services Administration, the Secretary of Labor has determined that the establishment of a short-term advisory committee to address the complexities of the maritime--shipyard and longshoring--community is essential to the conduct of Agency business and in the public interest.

The committee will be composed of approximately 15 members who will be selected to represent the divergent interests of the maritime community. The makeup of the membership shall comply with Section 7(b) of the OSH Act which requires the following: at least one member who is a designee of the Secretary of Health and Human Services; at least one designee of a State safety and health agency; and equal numbers of representatives of employees and employers, respectively. Other members will be selected based on their knowledge and experience to include representatives from professional and other governmental organizations with specific maritime responsibilities. In accordance with Section 2(c) of FACA, the committee will be "balanced in membership and in terms of point of view and functions * * *" The Agency intends that this committee provide a comprehensive representation of the maritime community and have the opportunity to offer recommendations on safety and health initiatives that would be considered as part of a integrated U.S. maritime policy.

MACOSH will function solely as an advisory body and in compliance with the provisions of the FACA. In accordance with FACA, its charter will be filed with the appropriate committees of Congress.

Meetings of the committee will be announced in the Federal Register and are open to the public.

Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding the establishment of the committee to Larry Liberatore, Director, Office of Maritime Standards, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210; Telephone (202) 219-7234, fax (202) 219-7477.

With this notice I am establishing the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health under Section 7(b) of the OSH Act and the FACA to address occupational safety and health issues unique to maritime employment.

Signed at Washington, D.C. this 8th day of February 1995.

Robert B. Reich,
Secretary of Labor.

[FR Doc. 95-3644 Filed 2-13-95; 8:45 am]

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