Commerce's NIST Seeks Members for National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee

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.