TRADE NEWS RELEASE
Wednesday, Nov.15, 2000
CONTACT: Layne Lathram
PHONE: (202) 693-1999

MACOSH PUBLIC MEETING SET FOR DEC. 6-7 IN BALTIMORE

The Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH), will meet in Baltimore, MD, on Dec. 6-7, 2000, to discuss the committee's goals and objectives for the next two years.

The public meeting with be held at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore on the Inner Harbor, 300 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 6, 2000, and from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 4:00 p.m. on Dec.7, 2000.

In addition to goals and objectives, the committee will discuss:

• vertical tandem lifts in the longshoring industry;
• the maritime ergonomics project;
• an update on the NIOSH diesel exhaust epidemiology study;
• joint efforts with the OSHA Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health;
• an update on OSHA projects and priorities; and
• MACOSH workgroup reports.

MACOSH was established by authority in Section 7 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to advise the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on issues relating to occupational safety and health for workers involved in the shipbuilding, shipbreaking, ship repair, and longshoring in the maritime industries. The committee is chartered for two-year periods. The first meeting of the recently re-chartered committee was held on July 19 and 20, 2000, at Kings Point, NY.

Written data, views or comments for consideration by the committee may be submitted, preferably with four copies, to Chappell Pierce, Acting Director, Office of Maritime Standards, OSHA, Room N-3609, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20210. Submissions received by Nov. 20, 2000, will be provided the members of the Committee. Requests to make an oral presentation to the Committee may be granted if time permits. Persons wishing to make an oral presentation to the Committee on any of the agenda items above should notify Pierce by Nov. 28, 2000. The request should state the amount of time desired, the capacity in which the person will appear, and a brief outline of the content of the presentation. For more information, Pierce can be reached at (202) 693-2086 or via FAX at (202) 693-1663.

Individuals with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact Theda Kenney at (202) 693-2222 no later than Dec.1, 2000, to obtain appropriate accommodation.

Notice of the MACOSH meeting is expected to appear in the Nov.15, 2000 Federal Register.