[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 1, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18278-18279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06699]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health
ACTION: Solicitation for Nominations to Serve on the Advisory Board on
Toxic Substances and Worker Health (Board) of the Energy Employees
Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).
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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Labor (Secretary) invites interested parties
to submit nominations for individuals to serve on the Board of the
EEOICPA.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board is mandated by Section 3687 of
EEOICPA. The Secretary established the Board under this authority and
Executive Order 13699 (June 26, 2015) and in accordance with the
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5
U.S.C. App. 2. The purpose of the Board is to advise the Secretary with
respect to: (1) The Site Exposure Matrices of the Department of Labor
(DOL); (2) medical guidance for claims examiners for claims with the
EEOICPA program, with respect to the weighing of the medical evidence
of claimants; (3) evidentiary requirements for claims under Part B of
EEOICPA related to lung disease; (4) the work of industrial hygienists
and staff physicians and consulting physicians of the DOL and reports
of such hygienists and physicians to ensure quality, objectivity, and
consistency; (5) the claims adjudication process generally, including
review of procedure manual changes prior to incorporation into the
manual and claims for medical benefits; and (6) such other matters as
the Secretary considers appropriate. In addition, the Board, when
necessary, coordinates exchanges of data and findings with the
Department of Health and Human Services' Advisory Board on Radiation
and Worker Health, which advises the Department of Health and Human
Services' National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on
various aspects of causation in radiogenic cancer cases under Part B of
the EEOICPA program.
The Board will consist of 12-15 members to be appointed by the
Secretary. The Secretary will appoint a Board Chair from among the
members. Pursuant to Section 3687(a)(2), the Board will reflect a
reasonable balance of scientific, medical, and claimant members, to
address the tasks assigned to the Board. Members serve two-year terms.
At the discretion of the Secretary, members may be appointed to
successive terms or removed at any time. The Board will meet no less
than twice per year.
Pursuant to Section 3687(d), no Board member, employee, or
contractor can have any financial interest, employment, or contractual
relationship (other than a routine consumer transaction) with any
person who has provided or sought to provide, within two years of their
appointment or during their appointment, goods or services for medical
benefits under EEOICPA. A certification that this is true will be
required with each nomination.
DOL is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks
broad-based and diverse Board membership. Any interested person or
organization may nominate one or more individuals for membership.
Interested persons are also invited and encouraged to submit statements
in support of nominees.
Nomination Process: Any interested person or organization may
nominate one or more qualified individuals for membership. If you would
like to nominate an individual or yourself for appointment to the
Board, please submit the following information:
The nominee's contact information (name, title, business
address, business phone, fax number, and/or business email address) and
current employment or position;
A copy of the nominee's resume or curriculum vitae;
Category of membership that the nominee is qualified to
represent;
A summary of the background, experience, and
qualifications that addresses the nominee's suitability for the
nominated membership category identified above;
Articles or other documents the nominee has authored that
indicate the nominee's knowledge, experience, and expertise in fields
related to the EEOICPA program, particularly as pertains to industrial
hygiene, toxicology, epidemiology, occupational medicine, lung
conditions, or the nuclear facilities covered by the EEOICPA program;
Documents or other supportive materials that demonstrate
the nominee's familiarity, experience, or history of participation with
the EEOICPA program or with the administration of a technically complex
compensation program such as EEOICPA;
A signed statement that the nominee does not have any
financial interest, employment, or contractual relationship (other than
a routine consumer transaction) with any person who has provided or
sought to provide, within two years of their appointment or during
their appointment, goods or services for medical benefits under
EEOICPA; and
A signed statement that the nominee is aware of the
nomination, is willing to regularly attend and participate in Board
meetings, and has no conflicts of interest that would preclude
membership on the Board.
Nominees will be appointed based on their demonstrated
qualifications, professional experience, and knowledge of issues the
Board may be asked to consider. Nominees will also be selected in
accordance with statutory obligations under FACA and Section 3687 of
EEOICPA regarding a balanced membership.
Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the
expiration of a resigning Board member's term shall be appointed for
the remainder of such term. As specified in Section 3687(i), the Board
shall terminate ten (10) years after the date of the enactment of the
legislation, which was December 19, 2014. Thus, the Board shall
terminate on December 19, 2024.
Members are Special Government Employees (SGEs) and serve without
compensation. However, members may each receive reimbursement for
travel expenses for attending Board meetings, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, as authorized by the federal travel regulations.
Board activities may necessitate its members obtain security
clearance. Pursuant to Section 3687(f), the Secretary of Energy will
ensure that the Board members, Board staff, and any contractors
performing work in support of the Board are afforded the opportunity to
apply for a security clearance for any matter for which such a
clearance is appropriate, and should provide a determination on
eligibility for clearance within 180 days of receiving a completed
application.
ADDRESSES: Nominations may be submitted, including attachments, by any
of the following methods:
Electronically: Send to: [email protected]
(specify
[[Page 18279]]
in the email subject line, ``Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and
Worker Health Nomination'').
Mail, express delivery, hand delivery, messenger, or
courier service: Submit one copy of the documents listed above to the
following address: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers'
Compensation Programs, Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker
Health, Room S-3522, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210.
Follow-up communications with nominees may occur as necessary
through the process.
DATES: Nominations for individuals to serve on the Board must be
submitted (postmarked, if sending by mail; submitted electronically; or
received, if hand delivered) within 30 days of the date of this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You may contact Michael Chance,
Designated Federal Officer (DFO), at [email protected], or Carrie
Rhoads, Alternate DFO, at [email protected], U.S. Department of
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Suite S-3524, Washington, DC 20210,
telephone (202) 343-5580.
This is not a toll-free number.
Signed at Washington, DC.
Julia K. Hearthway,
Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
[FR Doc. 2020-06699 Filed 3-31-20; 8:45 am]
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