OSHA seeks nominations for members to serve on Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced that it is now accepting nominations for six new members to serve on the 16-member Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH), which advises the Secretary of Labor on issues concerning the occupational safety and health of federal employees. 

FACOSH also extends help to the Secretary and OSHA with their programs and initiatives to minimize the number and seriousness of injuries and illnesses in the federal workforce, as well as encourages each federal executive branch department and agency to carry out effective occupational safety and health programs.

Although OSHA training—for instance, OSHAcampus.com 10 hour training and OSHAcampus.com 30 hour—is now a pre-employment requirement by many employers, many workers continue to be unnecessarily exposed to avoidable worksite hazards because of employer ignorance, negligence, or plain disregard of basic health and safety standards.

The nominations, according to OSHA, are limited to three labor organization representatives and three federal agency management representatives. Each member will have a term of no more than three years.

OSHA stated that nominations may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov, or by mail or fax. All nominations must be submitted by September 4, 2012.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 mandates that employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their workers. OSHA ensures that these conditions are met by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance to organizations, employers, and employees.