US Department of Labor re-establishes Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee

WPAC established to improve OSHA’s whistleblower protection activities

By Meghan Smith

Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today announced that he will re-establish the charter of the Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee.

WPAC was established to advise and make recommendations to the secretary of labor and the assistant secretary for occupational safety and health on ways to improve the fairness, efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of OSHA’s whistleblower protection activities. Through the committee, OSHA obtains advice from whistleblowers and worker advocates, employers and employer representatives, attorneys, experts in investigation and administrative law, academic researchers and others with expertise and experience in relevant areas.

Re-establishing WPAC will allow the committee to provide advice on improving investigative and enforcement processes, training for OSHA investigators, improving the regulations governing OSHA investigations and cooperative activities with federal agencies responsible for areas also covered by OSHA-enforced whistleblower protection statutes. The charter will remain in effect for two years.

Please direct general inquiries about this notice to Meghan Smith, OSHA Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs, at 202-693-2199 or at smith.meghan.p@dol.gov.