Department of the Interior

Departmental Manual

 

Effective Date: 3/12/99

Series:    Safety Management

Part 485:  Safety and Occupational Health Program

Chapter 5:  Program Evaluations

 

Originating Office:  Office of Managing Risk and Public Safety

 

485 DM 5

 

5.1     Purpose.  To specify the minimum Safety and Occupational Health Program (Program)

requirements for the conduct of Program evaluations by The Office of Managing Risk and Public Safety (MRPS) and bureaus.

 

5.2     Reference.  29 CFR 1960, Subpart J, Evaluation of Federal Occupational Safety and Health Programs.

 

5.3     Requirements.

 

A.      Each bureau will conduct Program evaluations of its headquarters and each region at least every three years.

 

B.      MRPS will conduct Program evaluations of bureaus as necessary and appropriate, at locations proposed by the bureaus and concurred with by MRPS.  MRPS will conduct such evaluations if:

 

(1)     MRPS determines that a bureau is deficient in its conduct of evaluations.

 

(2)     A bureau requests and MRPS concurs that MRPS conduct such evaluations.

 

C.      Evaluations will include visits to field operations/activities plus an interview and closing conference with the senior staff.  During the closing conference, evaluation findings and recommendations will be presented.

 

D.      Evaluations will involve, as a minimum, a review of the following:

 

(1)     Extent of management involvement.

 

(2)     Extent to which Departmental directives are complied with and the adequacy of bureau policy and procedures.

 

(3)     Structure and effectiveness of responsibility, authority and accountability to implement the Program.

 

(4)     Adequacy of reports of accident investigations, inspections, training and other Program activities.

 

(5)     Safety and health input to the budget formulation and adequacy of resources to implement and administer the Program, and abatement of hazardous conditions.

 

(6)     Size and technical skill of staff.

 

(7)     Identification of training needs and process to satisfy those needs.

 

(8)     Adequacy of Program information flow within the organization.

 

(9)     Adequacy of annual action plans, investigation of accidents and reports of unsafe and unhealthful conditions, and accident reporting and analysis system(s).

 

(10)   Frequency, adequacy and records of evaluations, including recommendations and follow-up systems.

 

(11)   Adequacy of inspections and abatement procedures.

 

(12)   Adequacy of property management system to identify and control hazards related to space and equipment.

 

(13)   Extent to which employees/employee representatives are involved in the development and implementation of Program activities.

 

E.       A written report of the MRPS evaluation will be transmitted to the head of the evaluated bureau by the Departmental Designated Agency Safety and Health Official (Departmental DASHO).  The report will include positive findings as well as Program deficiencies.  When appropriate, the report will include recommendations for corrective and/or enhancement actions of Program deficiencies.  The report should be disseminated by the bureau to all affected subunits.

 

F.       The evaluated bureau will respond to the Departmental DASHO within 60 calendar days, identifying actions to be taken and their expected time of completion.

 

G.      Follow-up visits and status reports will be used, as necessary, to establish that Program deficiencies are resolved.

 

3/12/99 #3235

Replaces 6/10/91 #485A-1