Trade News Release
March 12, 2009
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA schedules Maritime Advisory Committee meeting in March

WASHINGTON -- The Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) will hold a meeting March 24, 2009, to discuss its goals for the next two years and review accomplishments achieved during the last two years which included developing shipyard and longshoring industry guidance documents and digests, expanding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) shipyard eTool module and publishing a Safety and Health Injury Prevention Sheet.

The meeting also will include a presentation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, updates on OSHA activities, committee ethics training, and the establishment of the MACOSH workgroups. The committee will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Room N-3437, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20210.

"As the agency convenes a new committee of maritime industry experts, we are eager to explore best practices and procedures that will reduce injuries and fatalities and enhance workplace safety and health," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Donald G. Shalhoub.

The 15-person committee advises the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA on issues relating to occupational safety and health in the maritime industries.

Written comments for consideration by MACOSH should be submitted no later than March 17 to Danielle Watson, Office of Maritime, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3609, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210 or faxed to 202-693-1663.

Individuals with disabilities wishing to attend the meeting should contact Ms. Watson at 202-693-1870 no later than March 17 to obtain appropriate accommodations. For general information, contact Joseph Daddura, Office of Maritime, 202-693-2067.

Notice of the MACOSH meeting appears in the March 9 Federal Register.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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