[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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