Labor Secretary Renews NACOSH Charter

Author: Ashley Shaw, XpertHR Legal Editor

November 04, 2014

US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez renewed the charter of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH). The charter is up for renewal every two years. The charter will remain in effect until October 7, 2016.

NACOSH, which was established in 1970 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), is charged with advising the Secretaries of Labor and Health and Human Services on policies and procedures relating to occupational safety and health as well as making recommendations relating to the administration of the OSH Act. The OSH Act is intended to make sure workers have a safe and healthy environment in which to work.

The Secretaries may consult with NACOSH on new and emerging safety and health issues. NACOSH is advised by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and reports to the Secretaries. The DOL estimates the yearly cost of NACOSH to be $181,000.

NACOSH is a 12-member committee that includes two members representing each of the following:

  • Labor;
  • Management;
  • Safety professionals; and
  • Health professionals.

Four of NACOSH's members represent the public. Two of the health representatives and two of the public representatives are designated by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, though all of the members, including these four, are appointed by the Secretary of Labor.

The committee holds two to four publically accessible meetings per year. Each member serves a two-year term. The terms are staggered and conclude at the end of a calendar year.