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1995-01-22
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INFORMATION DATE 19930216
DESCRIPTION USDOL Program Highlights - Occupational Safety and
Health for Federal Employees
SUBJECT Occupational Safety and Health for Federal Employees
ABSTRACT This fact sheet deals with Occupational Safety and
Health for Federal Employees. It tells of
responsibilities for Agencies and Employees as well as
their rights.
U.S. Department of Labor
Program Highlights
________________________________________________________________________
Fact Sheet No. OSHA 89-20
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was designed "to assure
so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and
healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources."
There are more than 3.1 million federal civilian employees in more than 100
departments and agencies across the country. Each year thousands of these
employees are injured, made ill, or die in work-related incidents.
For example, in fiscal 1988, more than 165,000 occupational injuries and
illnesses occurred, involving civilian federal employees. Beyond the human
implications of these statistics, this takes its toll on the American
taxpayer. Chargeback billings of federal agencies arising from the
injuries and illnesses suffered by federal employees totalled more tha
$1.1 billion in 1988.
To focus on this problem, Section 19 of the Act specifically charges
the head of each federal agency with the responsibility to "establish and
maintain an effective and comprehensive occupational safety and health
program which is consistent with the standards" set by OSHA for private
sector employees.
That broad mandate is further defined by Presidential Executive Order
12196 which identifies the responsibilities of the agencies and the role
of the Secretary of Labor in developing, implementing and evaluating such
programs.
The Secretary of Labor also has been assigned broad responsibilities
under Section 19 of the Act. Department of Labor regulations (Title 29
Code of Federal Regulations Part 1960) spell out in detail the
responsibilities of the Secretary of Labor and of the heads of other
federal agencies under the Act and the Executive Order.
This fact sheet summarizes provisions of Section 19 of the Act,
Executive Order 12196, and Part 1960 of Title 29 so that federal employees
and managers may be informed of their rights and responsibilities under
the Act.
Agency Responsibilities:
o To furnish to employees places and conditions of employment that are
free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause
death or serious physical harm.
o To set up procedures for responding to employee reports of unsafe
and unhealthful working conditions.
o To acquire, maintain, and require the use of approved personal
protective equipment and safety equipment.
o To inspect all workplaces at least annually with participation by
representatives of employees.
o To establish procedures to assure that no employee is subject to
restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal for
exercising his/her rights under the agency's safety and health
program.
o To post notices of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions found
during inspections.
o To assure prompt abatement of hazardous conditions. Employees
exposed to the conditions shall be informed of the abatement plan.
Imminent danger corrections must be made immediately.
o To set up a management information system to keep records of
occupational accidents, injuries, illnesses, and their causes; and
to post annual summaries of injuries and illnesses for a minimum of
30 days at each establishment.
o To conduct occupational safety and health training programs for top
management, supervisors, safety and health personnel, employees and
employee representatives.
Employee Responsibilities:
o To comply with all OSHA and approved agency occupational safety and
health standards.
o To comply with agency policies and directives relative to the safety
and health program.
o To use personal protective equipment and safety equipment provided
by the agency.
Rights of Employees and their Representatives:
o To participate in their agency's safety and health program.
Employees shall be authorized official time to participate in the
activities provided by Executive Order 12196, 29 CFR Part 1960 and
the agency's safety and health program.
o To have access to agency safety and health information including
data on hazardous substances in agency workplaces.
o To comment on standards their agency proposes that differ from OSHA
standards.
o To report and request inspections of unsafe or unhealthful working
conditions to the appropriate officials, including the Secretary of
Labor. However, the Secretary of Labor encourages employees to use
agency procedures for reporting hazardous conditions as the most
expeditious means to achieve abatement.
For more information, call OSHA's Office of Federal Agency Programs at
(202)523-8081.
_________________________________________________________________________
This is one of a series of fact sheets highlighting U.S. Department of
Labor programs. It is intended as a general description only and does not
carry the force of legal opinion.