Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis appoints 6 members to Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of four new members and re-appointment of two current members to the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. They will serve two-year terms and represent the interests of the public, employers, employees and government.

The 15-member committee meets at least twice a year. The newly appointed and re-appointed members will join nine other current members serving the remainder of their terms on the committee.

"The new ACCSH members have a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience on a breadth of safety and health issues spanning the construction industry," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "We want good, safe jobs for American workers, and I am confident that these new members – representing the views of labor, management, government and the public – will use their expertise to provide valuable advice and recommendations toward our shared goal."

Two members represent the public:

• Jeremy Bethancourt, co-owner and program director, Arizona Construction Training Alliance, Scottsdale, Ariz. (new)
• Letitia K. Davis, director, Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Mass. (current)

Five members represent employees:

• Roger Erickson, mobilization, optimization, stabilization and training administrator, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO, Kansas City, Kan. (new)
• Walter A. Jones, occupational safety and health associate director, Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America, Washington, D.C. (re-appointed)
• Gary L. Batykefer, administrative director, Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust, Pittsburgh, Pa. (current)
• Laurie A. Shadrick, training specialist, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Arlington, Va. (current)
• Erich J. (Pete) Stafford, director, safety and health, Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, Silver Spring, Md. (current)

Five members represent employers:

• Kristi K. Barber, president, Glen C. Barber and Associates Inc., Rapid City, S.D. (new)
• Donald L. Pratt, president and CEO, Construction Education & Consulting Services of Michigan, Auburn, Mich. (new)
• Kevin R. Cannon, safety and health services director, Associated General Contractors of America, Arlington, Va. (current)
• Thomas Marrero, safety manager, Zenith Systems LLC, Seven Hills, Ohio (current)
• William E. Hering, environmental health and safety corporate manager, SM Electric Co. Inc., Rahway, N.J. (current)

Two members represent state governments:

• Steven D. Hawkins, assistant administrator, Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Nashville, Tenn. (re-appointed)
• Charles Stribling, occupational safety and health federal-state coordinator, Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Department of Workplace Standards, Frankfort, Ky. (current)

One member was appointed by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• Matt Gillen, construction program coordinator and senior scientist, Centers for Disease Control – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, D.C. (current)

ACCSH has advised the assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health on construction standards and policy matters for nearly 40 years. For more information about the committee, visit http://www.osha.gov/doc/accsh/index.html. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.