Work Site Built Environment
The following are laws, policies, and resources that provide guidelines for
the built environment at federal work sites. These policies support a
variety of physical features of the work site that impact employees'
ability to make healthy choices at work. Examples are using stairs instead
of elevators, preparing healthy foods in equipped break rooms, avoiding
exposure to tobacco smoke, and exercising in on-site fitness centers.
For further information about how the built environment affects levels of
physical activity in a variety of settings, see the special report from
the Transportation Research Board
Does the Built
Environment Influence Physical Activity?
*
(PDF-169K)
Federal Agency Policies
5 U.S.C. § 7901
Federal agency heads may establish health service programs to promote and
maintain the physical and mental fitness of their employees. Authorizes
agencies to establish and operate physical fitness programs and facilities
designed to promote and maintain employee health, such as occupational
safety and health.
41 CFR 102-79.30
States that federal agencies can allot space in federal buildings for
fitness programs.
5 U.S.C. § 7905
States that federal agency heads may develop programs to encourage
commuting by means other than single-occupancy motor vehicles. Includes
transit passes and furnishing space, facilities, and services to
bicyclists.
5 U.S.C. § 5946
Sets limits on paying membership fees or dues of federal employees in
societies or associations. However, Comptroller General Decision B-240371
(Jan 18, 1991) allows agencies to pay for access to private fitness
facilities for its employees as part of its health service program.
Use of Appropriated Funds to Purchase Kitchen Appliances
(GAO B-302993
(June 25, 2004))
Indicates federal agencies should develop a policy to
acquire refrigerators and other appliances for break rooms and should
determine the usefulness of these appliances for employee health and
productivity.
General Services Administration (GSA) Policies
GSA Facilities Standards
Establishes design standards and criteria for new buildings, major and
minor alterations, and work in historic structures for the Public
Buildings Service (PBS) of the GSA. This
document contains policy and technical criteria to be used in the
programming and designing of GSA buildings.
CDC Policies
Lactation Support
Program
(PDF-261k)
Provides education and support to CDC employees who are pregnant or
breastfeeding. Includes specifications for construction of lactation
rooms.
Tobacco-Free Campus Policy
(PDF-184k)
Provides guidelines for tobacco use at CDC work sites.
Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Page last updated: June 2, 2008
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
