OSHA Appoints New Chairman of Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. —OSHA  announced that Erich J. (Pete) Stafford has been appointed as the new chair of the agency’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. Stafford, who is a current member of the committee, replaces long serving member Frank L. Migliaccio Jr. as the committee chair.

“Pete’s wealth of knowledge and experience on a wide range of construction health and safety matters makes him an ideal choice to chair this important committee,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “We appreciate his commitment to protect the welfare of our nation’s construction workers and look forward to his leadership.”

Stafford has nearly 30 years experience in occupational safety and health in the construction industry. He presently serves as safety and health director for the AFL-CIO’s Building and Construction Trades Department, which services 13 national and international construction unions representing more than 2 million workers. He also serves as executive director of the Center for Construction Research and Training, where he directs a research and training organization that trains more than 100,000 construction workers annually and produces research reports on construction safety and health issues.

Gerald Ryan will fill Migliaccio’s vacant seat as one of the committee’s five employee representatives. Ryan is director of training, Health & Safety for the OperativePlasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association of the United States & Canada (OPCMIA).

ACCSH advises the Secretary of Labor and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on construction standards and policy matters. The 15-member committee consists of five representatives each of employers and employees, two state government representatives, two public representatives, and one member designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), For more information on the committee, visit OSHA’s ACCSH page.

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.