About the Office of Polar Environment, Health and Safety

Office Head: Michael Montopoli

The Office of Polar Environment, Safety and Health (PESH) in OPP guides environmental stewardship and safety and health activities for NSF-supported polar research.  The Office uses current knowledge of environmental science and engineering to ensure that NSF research and related activities in polar regions are environmentally sound.  The Office also guides implementation of programs to prevent and treat injuries and illnesses among personnel engaged in NSF-sponsored activities in both polar regions.

U.S. Government policy assigns NSF overall responsibility for managing U.S. activities in the Antarctic. The Antarctic Conservation Act (1996) assigns environmental oversight and stewardship to NSF.  In the Arctic, NSF coordinates interagency research policy and plays a significant leadership role in promoting environmental stewardship in relation to scientific research.

The Office also is responsible for guiding safety and health programs, including oversight of medical activities.  The PEHS staff use knowledge of safety and health best practices to ensure that the activities pursued by OPP are conducted in a safe and effective manner.  The Office guides and directs programs to ensure the safety and health of OPP staff, grantees, support contractors, and researchers funded by other U.S. Government agencies.  The Office also

• leads the planning, coordination, implementation, oversight, and management of policy and direction for all aspects of environment, safety, and health related to OPP-supported activities,
• reviews proposals to address environment, safety and health issues.
• plans and conducts inspections focused on health and safety in construction projects, research stations, field camps, and research vessels,
• designs and oversees occupational health programs, including scientific diving safety,
• coordinates medical screening of personnel planning to deploy to polar regions.

RELATED LINKS

U.S. Antarctic Program

• About the U.S. Antarctic Program
• Frequently asked questions about the U.S. Antarctic Program
• U.S. Antarctic Environmental Protection
  • Comprehensive Environmental Evaluations
  • Antarctic Conservation Act
  • U.S. Regulations Governing Antarctic Meteorites
• U.S Antarctic Policy
• U.S. Annual Antarctic Treaty Exchange of Information

Antarctic Science Section Programs

• Antarctic Aeronomy and Astrophysics
• Antarctic Organisms and Ecosystems
• Antarctic Earth Sciences
• Antarctic Glaciology
• Antarctic Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
• Antarctic Writers and Artists Program
  • Additional Information about Antarctic Artists and Writers Program

• Opportunities to particpate in the U.S. Antarctic Program

Arctic Science Section Programs

• Arctic Natural Sciences
• Arctic Systems Science
• Arctic Social Sciences
• Arctic Research Logistics and Support
  • Logistics and Support Resource Page
• Arctic Research and Education
• Arctic Cyperinfrastructure and Senors

• Arctic Research Opportunities

Related OPP Arctic Links

• Arctic Research and Policy
• Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee
• Principles for the Conduct of Research in the Arctic

OPP Information

• OPP Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request
  • Polar Environment, Health and Safety Funding
• OPP Office Advisory Committee home page
• OPP-supported Workshops

International Polar Year (IPY) Information

• Interagency International Pole Year Web Site
• U.S. International Polar Year Committee (National Academy of Sciences)
• International IPY Program Web Site

• NSF IPY Information
  • NSF IPY Awards for Research
  • NSF IPY Information for Researchers and Educators
  • NSF IPY Funding Opportunities
  • NSF IPY Program Contacts
• NSF IPY Budget Information
• International Polar Year (IPY) Fiscal 2008 Budget Request
  • IPY 2008 Funding (Excel table)
• International Polar Year (IPY) Fiscal 2007 Budget Request
  • IPY 2007 Funding (Excel table)