DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Maritime Committee; Renewal

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH).

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Labor has determined that it is in the public interest to renew the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH); an advisory committee to advise the Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on issues relating to the delivery of occupational safety and health programs, policies, and standards in the maritime industries of the United States. The committee will continue to provide a collective expertise not otherwise available to the Secretary to address the complex and sensitive issues involved. The committee is being renewed for two years, beginning January 1, 1996.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 14, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Any written comments in response to this notice should be sent to the following address: OSHA, Office of Maritime Standards, Room N-3621, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Phone (202) 219-7234, fax (202) 219-7477.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry Liberatore, Office of Maritime Standards, OSHA (202) 219-7234.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MACOSH addresses the concerns of the entire maritime community, focusing on the shipyard and marine cargo (longshoring) handling industries. The specific objectives of this committee continue to be to make recommendations on issues related to: (1) Reducing injuries and illnesses in the maritime industries, (2) expanding OSHA's outreach and training programs through the use of innovative partnerships, and (3) expediting the development and promulgation of OSHA standards.

Background

Renewal of the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) will enable OSHA to continue to be responsive to the uniqueness of industries that have suffered economically as a result of changes in the global market. This committee will continue a focused forum for ongoing discussions with the marine cargo handling community. This action is consistent with the President's initiative to make the U.S. shipyard industry competitive in the worldwide community. This committee addresses the maritime community's concerns, and its efforts will result in streamlined standards promulgation, better focused enforcement efforts, and extended and improved outreach and training initiatives. Furthermore, this committee focuses on the resolution of controversial issues, particularly those with international implications, that have an impact on the shipyard and marine cargo handling communities.

In accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), and after consultation with the General Services Administration, the Secretary of Labor has determined that the renewal of MACOSH to address the complexities of the maritime community is essential to the conduct of Agency business and in the public interest.

The committee will continue to be composed of approximately 20 members who have been selected to represent the divergent interests of the maritime community. The makeup of the membership complies with section 7(b) of the OSH Act, which requires the following: at least one member who is a designee of the Secretary of Health and Human Services; at least one member who is designee of a State safety and health agency; and equal numbers of representatives of employees and employers, respectively. Other members have been selected based on their knowledge and experience to include representatives from professional and other governmental organizations with specific maritime responsibilities. In accordance with section 2(c) of FACA, the committee is "balanced in membership and in terms of point of view and functions * * *" The Agency intends that this committee continue to provide a comprehensive representation of the maritime community and have the opportunity to offer recommendations on safety and health initiatives that would be considered as part of an integrated U.S. maritime policy.

MACOSH functions solely as an advisory body and in compliance with the provisions of the FACA. This notice will be filed with the appropriate committees of Congress.

Meetings of this committee will be announced in the Federal Register and are open to the public.

Interested parties are invited to submit comments regarding the renewal of the committee to Larry Liberatore, Office of Maritime Standards, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3621, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Telephone (202) 219-7234, fax (202) 219-7477.

With this notice, I am renewing for two years the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health under section 7(b) of the OSH Act and the FACA to address occupational safety and health issues unique to maritime employment.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 24th day of January 1996.

Robert B. Reich,
Secretary of Labor.

[FR Doc. 96-1685 Filed 1-29-96; 8:45 am]