March 8, 2010
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA extends deadline for membership nominations to Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health

WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration extended the deadline for submitting membership nominations to the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) to March 31, 2010. Details are in the FR notice.

OSHA extended the deadline because of weather-related federal government closures during the week before the original Feb. 12, 2010 deadline.

FACOSH advises the Secretary of Labor on occupational safety and health issues related to the federal workforce, including advice on how to reduce the number of worker injuries and illnesses. FACOSH advised OSHA on issues including H1N1/Pandemic Preparedness in federal agencies, the Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program and federal civilians working overseas. FACOSH also recommends methods such as safety and health training courses for establishing and maintaining effective occupational safety and health programs in federal agencies. The Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA chairs FACOSH, which meets two to four times a year.

OSHA is seeking nominations to fill five labor and five management vacancies. The Secretary of Labor will appoint new members to two- or three-year terms as appropriate. The 16-member FACOSH council comprises eight members representing federal agency management and eight members from labor organizations representing federal workers.

For information on submitting a nomination, view the December 14, 2009, Federal Register notice. For general information, contact Francis Yebesi, OSHA Office of Federal Agency Programs, at 202-693-2233 or email ofap@dol.gov. Press inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Ashley, OSHA Office of Communications, at 202-693-1999.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 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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