Worker Health Board (E.O. 13699)

Summary

Establishes a board to give advice to the Secretary of Labor about health issues for workers exposed to toxic materials.

What problem does this solve?

The government needed expert advice to fairly handle health claims from workers who got sick from toxic substances at their jobs. This order creates a board of scientific, medical, and community experts to provide that advice to the Department of Labor.

What does this order do?

Establishes a new advisory board

Creates the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health within the Department of Labor.

Defines board membership

States the board will have up to 15 members appointed by the Secretary of Labor, representing scientific, medical, and claimant communities.

Outlines board responsibilities

Requires the board to advise the Secretary of Labor on site exposure data, medical guidance for claims, and evidence rules for lung disease claims.

Coordinates with other health boards

Directs the new board to share data and findings with the existing Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health.

Sets a termination date

Specifies that the Advisory Board will end five years after the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 was passed.

Who does this affect?

Workers with illnesses from toxic substance exposure
Department of Labor employees
Scientific and medical experts

What is the real world impact?

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Improves fairness for worker health claims

Creates an expert panel to advise the government on health claims from workers exposed to toxic substances. This helps make sure the process is fair, consistent, and based on good science and medicine.

When does this start?

This order became effective on June 26, 2015, and includes a timeline for when the board will end.

Board Termination

The Advisory Board will end 5 years after the date the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 was passed.