May 15, 2013
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris appoints 8 members
to Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today announced the appointment of two new members and re-appointment of six current members to the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH). They will serve two-year terms and represent the interests of the public, employers, employees and state government.

"Each of the new members brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience on a wide range of issues spanning the construction industry," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "We look forward to their valuable expertise and guidance on how to further improve workplace safety for our nation's construction workers."

The 15-member committee meets at least twice a year. The newly appointed and re-appointed members will join seven other current members serving the remainder of their terms on the committee.

Two members represent the public:

• Jeremy Bethancourt, co-owner and program director, Arizona Construction Training Alliance, ASSE, NSC, ABA.
• Letitia K. Davis, director, Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA. (re-appointed)

Five members represent employees:

• Sarah M. Coyne, executive assistant director, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades/Finishing Trades Institute, Elkridge, MD. (new)
• Roger Erickson, mobilization, optimization, stabilization and training administrator, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO, Kansas City, KS. (current)
• Walter A. Jones, occupational safety and health associate director, Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America, Washington, D.C. (current)
• Laurie A. Shadrick, training specialist, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Annapolis, MD. (re-appointed)
• Erich J. (Pete) Stafford, director, safety and health, Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, Silver Spring, MD. (re-appointed)

Five members represent employers:

• Kristi K. Barber, president, Glen C. Barber and Associates Inc., Rapid City, S.D. (current)
• Kevin R. Cannon, safety and health services director, Associated General Contractors of America, Arlington, VA. (re-appointed)
• Thomas Marrero, national safety director, Tradesmen International, Inc., Macedonia, OH (re-appointed)
• Donald L. Pratt, president and CEO, Construction Education & Consulting Services of Michigan, Auburn, MI. (current)
• Jerry Rivera, national director of safety, National Electrical Contractors Association, Silver Spring, MD. (new)

Two members represent state governments:

• Steven D. Hawkins, assistant administrator, Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Nashville, TN. (current)
• Charles Stribling, occupational safety and health federal-state coordinator, Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Department of Workplace Standards, Frankfort, KY. (re-appointed)

One member was appointed by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• Matt Gillen, construction program coordinator and senior scientist, Centers for Disease Control — National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, D.C. (current)

ACCSH has advised the assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health on construction standards and policy matters for nearly 40 years. For more information about ACCSH, visit http://www.osha.gov/doc/accsh/index.html.

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 ensure 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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