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The Commerce
Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) announced in today's Federal
Register that it is seeking nominations of individuals
for appointment to the National
Construction Safety Team (NCST) Advisory Committee. This
is a new federal advisory committee established under the
recently enacted National Construction Safety Team Act, Public
Law 107-231.
P.L. 107-231
gives NIST authority to dispatch teams of experts within 48
hours, where appropriate and practical, after major building
disasters. The act gives the teams a clear mandate to:
- establish
the likely technical cause of building failures;
- evaluate
the technical aspects of procedures used for evacuation
and emergency response;
- recommend
specific changes to building codes, standards and practices;
- recommend
any research or other appropriate actions needed to improve
the structural safety of buildings, and/or changes in emergency
response and evacuation procedures; and
- make
final recommendations within 90 days of completing an investigation.
NIST will
consider nominations received by Nov. 27, 2002, in response
to this notice for appointment to the committee, in addition
to nominations already received.
The NIST
Director, in consultation with the U.S. Fire Administration
and other appropriate federal agencies, will create a standing
advisory committee composed of at least five but no more than
10 members to advise him on carrying out the act, and to review
procedures and reports issued. The committee's review will
cover the ongoing NIST investigation
of the World Trade Center Building disaster.
On Jan.
1 of each year, the advisory committee shall transmit to the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate a report that includes:
- an
evaluation of NCST activities, along with recommendations
to improve the operation and effectiveness of investigation
teams; and
- an
assessment of the implementation of the recommendations
of teams and of the advisory committee.
Nomination
letters submitted for consideration by NIST should provide
a summary of the candidate's qualifications for the NCST Advisory
Committee, including his or her:
- broad
technical expertise and experience, especially in a field
relevant to issues affecting National Construction Safety
Teams;
- established
record of distinguished professional service;
- current
or former service, where applicable, on federal advisory
boards and/or as a federal employee; and
- statement
that he or she agrees to the nomination, acknowledges the
responsibilities of serving on the committee, and will actively
participate in good faith in the tasks of the committee.
Nominations
for a candidate from a particular field of expertise should
come from organizations or individuals within that field.
Nominations
should be submitted to Stephen Cauffman, National Construction
Safety Team Advisory Committee, NIST, 100 Bureau Dr., Stop
8610, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899-8610. Nominations also may be
faxed to (301) 975-6122.
As a non-regulatory
agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration,
NIST develops and promotes measurements, standards, and technology
to enhance productivity, facilitate trade and improve the
quality of life.
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