2020-20305. 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, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., ET via telephone. Persons interested in attending the meeting must register by October 6, 2020. In addition, comments relating to the “Scope of Meeting” section of this document must be submitted in written or electronic form by October 6, 2020.

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.

Mail, hand delivery, express mail, messenger, or courier service: When using this method, you must submit a copy of your comments and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, OSHA Docket No. OSHA-2018-0005, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3653, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. Please note: While OSHA's Docket Office is continuing to accept and process submissions by regular mail, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Docket Office is closed to the public and not able to receive submissions to the docket by hand, express mail, messenger, and courier service.

Registration to Attend and/or to Participate in the Telephonic 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/​whistleblower-stakeholder-meeting-tickets-118496465117 by close of business on October 6, 2020. Actual times provided for presentation will depend on the number of requests, but no more than 10 minutes per participant will be allowed. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For press inquiries: Mr. Frank Meilinger, Director, OSHA Office of Communications, U.S. Department of Labor; telephone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

For general information: Mr. Anthony Rosa, Deputy Director, OSHA Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs, U.S. Department of Labor; telephone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

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 sixth in a series of meetings requesting public input on this program. The agency is seeking suggestions on how it can improve the program. 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. Are there particular whistleblowing issues in the healthcare, retail, and grocery industries that OSHA should be aware of?

B. Request for Comments

Regardless of attendance at the public meeting, interested persons may submit written or electronic comments (see ADDRESSES). 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, 2020, and include Docket No. OSHA-2018-0005.

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, also are available on the Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs' web page at: http://www.whistleblowers.gov.

Authority and Signature

Loren Sweatt, Principal Deputy 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).

Signed at Washington, DC, on September 9, 2020.

Loren Sweatt,

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.