U.S. Department of Labor Invites Nominations For Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that its Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs is accepting nominations for the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

The board advises the U.S. Secretary of Labor on the EEOICPA program’s technical aspects of, including:

• The department’s Site Exposure Matrices database, used to help Part E claimants meet their burden of proof to establish causal links between claimed illnesses and a vast array of toxic substances;
• Medical guidance for Energy program claims examiners to weigh the claimants’ medical evidence;
• Evidentiary requirements for lung disease-related claims;
• The work of industrial hygienists, staff physicians and consulting physicians, and their reports, to ensure quality, objectivity and consistency;
• The claims adjudication process generally; and
• Other matters the Secretary considers appropriate.

Members of the Advisory Board serve two-year terms. The terms of the 12 sitting board members expire July 15, 2020. Current members may be re-nominated and reappointed.

The Advisory Board is mandated by Section 3687 of EEOICPA and consists of 12-15 members to be appointed by the Secretary. Membership is balanced between the scientific, medical and claimant communities. For instructions, please review the Federal Register notice on nominations for membership and submit the requested information by May 1, 2020. Questions about the Board can be emailed to EnergyAdvisoryBoard@dol.gov.

Learn more about the board and its work.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.