The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has scheduled a meeting of the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health on Feb. 18, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

The tentative agenda includes updates on the:

Presidential Initiatives that focus on workplace safety and health in federal agencies, and returning federal workers to work after on-the-job injuries/illnesses;

Status of the 2014 report to the President on federal agencies’ occupational safety and health programs, and the agency request for information for the 2015 Report;

Construction safety and health stand-down;

Proposed OSHA safety and health management system guidelines; and

FACOSH subcommittees.

The committee will meet from 1 – 4:30 p.m. in Rooms C-5520-6, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20210. Some committee members may participate by teleconference. The meeting is open to the public.  Due to recent winter storm, the Federal Register notice announcing the meeting was published one day short of the required 15 days advance notice.

Comments and requests to speak may be sent electronically to www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Additionally, submissions may be mailed or faxed; see the Federal Register notice for details.  Submissions of comments, requests to speak and requests for special accommodation to attend the FACOSH meeting are due Feb. 11, 2016.

FACOSH advises the Secretary of Labor on all matters relating to the occupational safety and health of federal employees. This includes providing advice on how to reduce the number of injuries and illnesses in the federal workforce and how to encourage each federal executive branch department and agency to establish and maintain effective occupational safety and health programs.

Under Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and Executive Order 12196, the head of each agency is responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for all federal employees by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.