J. Stephen Frost, assistant director of the at the , has been appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH).
The 12-member committee advises the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters related to administering the Occupational Safety and Health Act. With more than three decades of experience in environmental health and safety, Frost sees his two-year appointment as both an honor and a responsibility to enhance worker protections across industries.
鈥淭his role is particularly meaningful to me, as I have spent 33 years working to protect individuals and improve workplace safety and health,鈥� Frost said.
At USF鈥檚 OSHA Training Institute and Education Center, Frost has worked directly with safety professionals, developed and stayed current with evolving OSHA regulations. He believes his hands-on experience will help ensure that NACOSH recommendations are practical and reflective of the needs of both employers and workers.
Among the most pressing workplace safety issues, Frost highlighted emerging hazards linked to artificial intelligence and robotics.
鈥淥rganizations must conduct proactive risk assessments and develop comprehensive safety protocols to address the unique risks posed by automation and AI,鈥� he said. 鈥淐reating a culture of safety where employees feel empowered to report concerns is just as critical as implementing technological safeguards.鈥�
Frost also emphasized the importance of worker engagement and education in preventing workplace accidents. He plans to engage with both employers and employees through educational outreach, participation in industry conferences and advocacy for policies that promote a safer work environment.
鈥淧roviding accessible resources and fostering open dialogue between employers and workers is key to strengthening workplace safety,鈥� he said.
His overarching goal is to promote a proactive approach to occupational safety, ensuring that standards evolve to address new and emerging risks. By bridging the gap between regulatory measures and real-world applications, he hopes to make a lasting impact on national safety policies.
鈥淓very worker deserves the right to return home safe and healthy,鈥� Frost said. 鈥淏y fostering cooperation and innovation, we can reduce workplace injuries and fatalities and build a lasting culture of safety.鈥�
NACOSH advises the U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA on critical safety and health regulations. Frost鈥檚 appointment positions him at the forefront of shaping national workplace safety standards.