308.64 – Occupational Safety and Health Council
3/21/05
OPR: Office of Management Services
Instruction: New Survey Manual Chapter
1. Purpose. This Survey Manual Chapter provides the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) policy on the purpose and scope; membership; roles and responsibilities; and operations of the USGS Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Council. The USGS Designated Agency Safety and Health Official (DASHO) established the USGS OSH Council on October 1, 2001.
2. Scope. The USGS OSH Council provides bureau-level occupational safety and health guidance, program oversight, and policy direction. The Council also establishes bureau-wide goals and objectives; and develops the annual bureau occupational safety and health program plan.
3. Authorities and References.
A. 29 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1960 – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for occupational safety and health.
B. Executive Order 12196, dated February 26, 1980.
C. Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended.
4. Permanent Membership.
A. The USGS OSH Council will consist of the following members:
(1) DASHO.
(2) Bureau Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental (OSHE) Program Manager.
(3) Eastern Region OSHE Committee Chairperson.
(4) Central Region OSHE Committee Chairperson.
(5) Western Region OSHE Committee Chairperson.
(6) Six Discipline or Field Level Representatives (two per region), nominated by the Regional OSHE Committee (See SM 308.65.) and approved by the Bureau OSHE Program Manager.
B. The Bureau OSHE Program Manager or designee will serve as the OSH Council Chair.
C. USGS OSH Council members will have appropriate bureau, regional, or field authority to represent and speak for their respective areas of responsibility (e.g., bureau, region, field or specialized program) and to make commitments on behalf of the functions or organizations they represent.
5. Ad Hoc Membership. The following advisors will serve, as needed, as ad hoc members to the USGS OSH Council:
A. Bureau Industrial Hygienist.
B. Bureau Environmental Program Manager.
C. Bureau Firearms Safety Program Manager.
D. Bureau Aviation Safety Manager.
E. Bureau Dive Safety Officer.
F. Bureau Radiation Safety Board Manager.
G. Bureau Watercraft Safety Program Manager.
H. Bureau Office of Workers' Compensation Program Manager.
I. Bureau Office of Employee Development Representative.
6. Roles and Responsibilities of the OSH Council. Additional information regarding roles and responsibilities is provided in the OSH Council Charter (See SM 308.64, Appendix A.).
A. Develops the USGS annual occupational safety and health program plan to ensure that program objectives and goals are prioritized and in concert with the Departmental Occupational Safety and Health Strategic Plan and recommends actions to the DASHO for implementing the plan.
B. Provides a focal point for the oversight, coordination and direction of the USGS OSH Program.
C. Makes decisions regarding USGS OSH program activities, actions, and initiatives; incorporates Departmental initiatives; and includes USGS Regional OSHE and Specialized Safety Program Committee activities and recommendations in the plan.
D. Directs/advises the DASHO regarding the implementation of programs involving occupational safety and health activities.
E. Serves as an advisory body on program matters to the Bureau Executive Leadership Team (ELT) through the DASHO.
F. Develops Bureau policy; provides program interpretation, coordination, and assistance to implement Regional program activities.
G. Provides a forum for the exchange of information between the Headquarters, Bureau Specialized Program Committees, and Regional Committees.
H. Acts collaboratively in performing functions and implementing regulations identified by OSHA, the Department, and the USGS. These functions include: establishing an occupational safety and health program; recommending a sufficient amount of funds and personnel to implement the program; establishing a set of procedures that ensures effective program implementation; setting goals and objectives for reducing and eliminating accidents, injuries and illnesses; establishing plans and procedures for evaluating program effectiveness; and setting priorities with respect to injury/illness causal factors so appropriate corrective actions will be taken.
I. Serves as the reviewing and approving body for USGS safety awards.
7. Reporting. The OSH Council reports to the DASHO (Chief, Office of Administrative Policy and Services).
8. Meetings. The OSH Council will meet at least quarterly, including at least one face-to-face meeting per year, preferably scheduled to coincide with a bureau Environmental Management (EM) Council meeting (See SM 308.63).
9. Minutes. The minutes of each OSH Council meeting will be recorded and distributed to all OSH Council members, the Bureau DASHO, and the Regional OSHE committees. The Chair of the OSH Council will ensure that OSH Council minutes are retained for a minimum of two years from the date of the meeting.
10. Working Groups. The OSH Council is authorized to establish work groups, as needed.
11. Salary, Travel and Incidental Costs. The costs of OSH Council regional, field and specialized program participants are borne by the participants’ local or regional organization. Bureau OSH Council participant costs are borne by the Bureau Safety and Environmental Management Branch. Extraordinary expenses must be pre-approved and covered by a written agreement.
12. Termination Date. None.
Approved:
signed_________________________________
Carol F. Aten
Chief, Office of Administrative Policy and Services