When safety bodies like OSHA or NACOSH make recommendations or rule changes, they often seek out thoughts & comments from the public, first. Now, one such meeting is set to take place in the near future.
OSHA is set to hold an online meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) on January 10, 2023, from 2 pm to 4 pm, EST.
This virtual meeting is open to the public, and will include discussion on the following issues:
- The committee’s membership and recent OSHA developments
- A report from the Heat Work Group
- Follow-up discussion on the agency’s Whistleblower Protection Program.
Let’s take a look at the specifics, and how you can attend the meeting.
Here’s What to Know about NACOSH
NACOSH is one of the four OSHA Advisory Committees, which also includes:
- Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH)
- Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH)
- Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH)
NACOSH is a statutory committee established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Its duty is to advise the Secretaries of Labor and Health and Human Services on occupational safety and health programs and policies.
NACOSH is made up of 12 members, which include:
- 4 public representatives,
- 2 management representatives,
- 2 labor representatives,
- 2 occupational health professionals and
- 2 occupational safety professionals.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services designates two of the public representatives and both of the health professionals. All members are appointed by the Secretary of Labor and serve a single term of two years.
NACOSH meetings are open to the public, and these meetings are announced in the Federal Register.
Related Article: OSHA Citations: How to Respond as an Employer
How to Participate in the Upcoming NACOSH Virtual Meeting
If you’re interested in joining the NACOSH meeting online, you’ll need to register here.
Login information will be provided prior to the meeting, with Spanish audio interpretation available as well.
Interested members of the public are also advised to submit comments and requests to speak to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, Docket Number OSHA-2022-0002, by January 3, 2023. Remember to include the docket number on all submissions, and check out the Federal Register notice for submission details.
But, even if you’re not interested in speaking or commenting, you can still follow along with the meeting’s events. Members of the public may attend the NACOSH Full Committee Meeting in listen-only mode. If there is time remaining, registered speakers may be called in order.
NACOSH advises, consults, and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters relating to the administration of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
It’s worthy of note that NACOSH is a continuing advisory committee of indefinite duration, and constantly updating policies to reflect new research, findings, and attitudes.
Even if you aren’t able to attend the event, we’ll be sure to keep you updated with the latest OSHA news and developments as they happen.
Related Article: What to Know About CAARA, AMLA, and OSHA Whistleblower Protection
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