Tuesday, June 12, 2012

OSHA Seeks Nominations for Whistleblower Advisory Committee

OSHA seeking nominations for membership on the Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee (WPAC). OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of 21 statutes protecting employees who report violations of various workplace safety, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food, safety, health care reform, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime and securities laws. OSHA reports that this committee will make recommendations related to fairness, efficiency, effectiveness and transparency.

According to the agency, the 12 voting members will serve 2-year terms, with representation broken down as follows:
  • Four management representatives who are employers or are from employer associations in industries covered by one or more of the whistleblower laws; 
  • Four labor representatives who are workers or from worker advocacy organizations in industries covered by one or more of the whistleblower laws; 
  • One member who represents state plan states;
  • Three public representatives from colleges, universities, nonpartisan think tanks and/or other entities that have extensive knowledge and expertise on whistleblower statutes and issues. 
Nominations may be submitted electronically here. See the Federal Register notice for details. Nominations must be submitted by July 27, 2012. You can learn more about whistleblower protections here.