OSHA Solicits Comments from Stakeholders, Plans Public Meeting

Jan. 22, 2010
OSHA recently announced a Feb. 10 “OSHA Listens” public meeting in Washington, D.C., designed to solicit comments and suggestions from OSHA stakeholders on key issues facing the agency.

"Public involvement in the government's activities is a priority for this administration and is important to enhancing OSHA efforts to protect the safety and health of workers," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. "This public meeting gives us an opportunity to hear your ideas, suggestions and comments on key issues facing this agency."

OSHA invites public input on issues including:

  • What can the agency do to enhance and encourage the efforts of employers, workers and unions to identify and address workplace hazards?
  • What are the most important emerging or unaddressed health and safety issues in the workplace, and what can OSHA do to address these?
  • How can the agency improve its efforts to engage stakeholders in programs and initiatives?
  • Are there additional measures to improve the effectiveness of the agency's current compliance assistance efforts and the onsite consultation program to ensure small businesses have the information needed to provide safe workplaces?
  • What specific actions can the agency take to enhance the voice of workers in the workplace, particularly workers who are hard to reach, who do not have ready access to information about hazards or their rights or who are afraid to exercise their rights?

The meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST in the Frances Perkins Building auditorium, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

Interested participants must register to attend the meeting by e-mailing [email protected] by close of business on Feb. 3. The e-mail must include the individual’s name, title, company or organization (if applicable), address, telephone number and e-mail address and, if interested in making a short presentation, the specific topic or issue to be addressed.

Alternatively, written comments may be submitted to OSHA Docket Office, Docket Number OSHA-2010-0004, Technical Data Center, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210, or e-mailed to [email protected]. Identify all comments with the docket number.

For additional details, visit http://www.osha.gov.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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