Peter De Luca, administrator of Oregon OSHA, has been named to a two-year term on the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH).

The 12-member committee advises the U.S. Secretary of Labor and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services on occupational safety and health programs. U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao announced the appointment of the new members of NACOSH on December 31st.

"The federal government and the American people benefit tremendously from the knowledge and experience that committee members bring to the table," said Secretary Chao. "They share their unique talents and expertise on safety and health, and they help us ensure that we are doing everything possible to reduce injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the workplace."

John Henshaw, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor in charge of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration nominated De Luca for the seat. Oregon is one of 25 states that provide regulatory enforcement of workplace safety and health standards through a state agency working in unison with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

"This is a great recognition for the state of Oregon, and the Department of Consumer and Business Services," said De Luca. "The nomination of an Oregon resident to this committee demonstrates the high regard that OSHA holds for what Oregon OSHA accomplishes by bringing business, labor and government together to create safer workplaces."

Oregon OSHA's ability to regulate industrial safety by establishing partnerships has received national attention. So have workplace injury trends in Oregon, which have seen a twenty percent reduction in the total number of reported injury cases during the past five years.

"Many safety professionals through the country are amazed at 'how Oregon does it' when it comes to regulating industries and managing a workers' compensation system," says De Luca. "Oregon OSHA has a highly effective consultation team, we assist employers in becoming self-sufficient through education, training and outreach, and for those times when we must ensure compliance with the Oregon Safe Employment Act, a professional and strong enforcement program. Education and enforcement are equal partners in our regulatory strategy. You cannot have success with voluntary compliance without an effective enforcement program. We also place a high value on quality customer service, educating our customers and providing the resources employers need to make their workplace safer."

The 12-member NACOSH has two members representing management, two members representing labor, two members representing the occupational health professions, two members representing the occupational safety professions and four members representing the public. Two of the health representatives and two of the public members are designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, although actual appointment of these members, as well as all other members, is by the Secretary of Labor. Members of NACOSH serve two-year terms.

De Luca has served as Oregon OSHA administrator since 1996.

(Editors: the December 31, 2002 U.S. Department of Labor news release is available on federal OSHA's website, www.osha.gov)