NIOSH Board of Scientific Counselors

About the NIOSH BSC

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Board of Scientific Counselors is a federal advisory committee assembled to provide independent advice and guidance to the Director of NIOSH. The primary activity of the Committee is to provide advice on NIOSH’s occupational safety and health research and prevention programs. The BSC also provides advice on standards of scientific excellence, current needs in the field of occupational safety and health, and the applicability and dissemination of research findings. This advice may take the form of reports or verbal communications to the Director during BSC meetings.

The NIOSH BSC is made up of 15 experts in occupational safety and health, such as occupational medicine, occupational nursing, industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health engineering, toxicology, chemistry, safety and health education, ergonomics, epidemiology, biostatistics, and psychology. Among the members, four may be representatives of industry or labor who are knowledgeable in occupational safety and health research. Members serve for overlapping terms up to 4 years.

The Designated Federal Officer (DFO), also referred to as the Executive Secretary, is a permanent federal employee assigned to the BSC and is responsible for the BSC’s overall management including compliance with applicable laws and regulations. A Committee Management Specialist (CMS) is also assigned to the BSC to work with the DFO on committee management including administrative aspects.

BSC meetings generally occur 2 times per year. All BSC meetings are open for the public to attend, and dedicated time may be made available on each agenda for public attendees to provide comments pertinent to current BSC topic areas. Meeting dates and locations are posted in advance on the BSC website and meeting notices are published in the Federal Register at least 15 calendar days before each meeting. The DFO must be present at all BSC meetings. Materials presented and distributed during BSC meetings can be viewed on NIOSH Docket 278.