Release Number: 10-1514-NAT
Oct. 29, 2010
Contact: Diana Petterson Jason Surbey
Phone: 202-693-1898 202-693-4668
E-mail: petterson.diana@dol.gov surbey.jason@dol.gov

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis renews charter of
national safety and health advisory committee

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today renewed the charter of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health. The charter will expire in two years.

"Since OSHA's inception, NACOSH has played an important role in advising the secretaries of labor and health and human services on worker safety issues such as hazard communication, the whistleblower program and providing ideas and input on ways to reduce worker deaths, injuries and illnesses," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. "The members' advice and recommendations are extremely valuable because they have a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience on a wide range of worker health and safety matters."

Established as a continuing advisory committee under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, NACOSH advises, consults with and makes recommendations to the secretaries of labor and HHS on matters relating to the administration of the OSH Act, including providing feedback on OSHA and HHS initiatives to improve occupational safety and health.

NACOSH is comprised of 12 representative members. Eight members are appointed by the secretary of labor, one of whom the secretary appoints to serve as chair, and four members are appointed by the secretary of HHS. The composition of NACOSH is as follows:

• Two members represent management.
• Two members represent labor.
• Two members represent the occupational health professions. The secretary of HHS designates these members.
• Two members represent the occupational safety professions.
• Four members represent the public. The secretary of HHS designates two of these members.

For more information on NACOSH and the charter, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-27439.htm or http://63.234.227.130/dop/nacosh/nacosh.html.

Under the OSH Act, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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