Migrant Worker Whistleblower Stakeholder Meeting

AGENCY:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.

ACTION:

Notice of public meeting.

SUMMARY:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is announcing a public meeting to solicit comments and suggestions from stakeholders on issues facing the agency in the administration of the whistleblower laws it enforces.

DATES:

The public meeting will be held on October 13, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., ET via telephone and virtually via Teams. Persons interested in attending the meeting must register by October 6, 2021. In addition, comments relating to the “Scope of Meeting” section of this document must be submitted by October 6, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Electronically: You may submit materials, including attachments, electronically at http://www.regulations.gov,, which is the Federal eRulemaking portal. Follow the on-line instructions for submissions. All comments should be identified with Docket No. OSHA-2018-0005.

Registration to Attend and/or to Participate in the Meeting: If you wish to attend the public meeting, make an oral presentation at the meeting, or participate in the meeting, you must register using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/migrant-worker-whistleblower-stakeholder-meeting-registration-167604348117 or this link for registration in Spanish https://www.eventbrite.com/e/registro-reunion-para-partes-interesadas-sobre-los-denunciantes-que-son-trabajadores-168742426139 by close of business on October 6, 2021. Each participant will be allowed to speak for up to 5 minutes. If there is extra time at the end of the meeting, participants may be given extra time to speak. There is no fee to register for the public meeting. After reviewing the requests to present, OSHA will contact each participant prior to the meeting to inform them of the speaking order. We will provide Spanish language translation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For press inquiries: Mr. Frank Meilinger, Director, OSHA Office of Communications, U.S. Department of Labor; telephone: (202) 693-1999; email: meilinger.francis2@dol.gov.

For general information: Mr. Anthony Rosa, Acting Director, OSHA Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs, U.S. Department of Labor; telephone: (202) 693-2199; email: osha.dwpp@dol.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Scope of Meeting

OSHA is interested in obtaining information from the public on key issues facing the agency's whistleblower program. This meeting is the eighth in a series of meetings requesting public input on this program. The agency is seeking suggestions on how it can improve the program, particularly where migrant and other vulnerable workers are concerned. Please note that the agency does not have the authority to change the statutory language and requirements of the laws it enforces. In particular, the agency invites input on the following:

1. How can OSHA deliver better whistleblower customer service?

2. What kind of assistance can OSHA provide to help explain the agency's whistleblower laws to employees and employers?

3. What can OSHA do to ensure that workers are protected from retaliation for raising concerns related to the pandemic?

B. Request for Comments

Regardless of attendance at the public meeting, interested persons may submit written or electronic comments (see ADDRESSES above). Electronic comments include recorded oral comments. Comments may be submitted in any language. Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any mailed comments. To permit time for interested persons to submit data, information, or views on the issues in the “Scope of Meeting” section of this notice, please submit comments by October 6, 2021, and include Docket No. OSHA-2018-0005. If you have questions regarding how to submit comments, please contact osha.dwpp@dol.gov or 202-693-2199.

C. Access to the Public Record

Electronic copies of this Federal Register notice are available at: http://www.regulations.gov. This notice, as well as news releases and other relevant information, is also available on the Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs' web page at: http://www.whistleblowers.gov.

Authority and Signature

James S. Frederick, Acting Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, authorized the preparation of this notice under the authority granted by Secretary's Order 08-2020 (May 15, 2020).