U.S. Geological Survey Manual

1. Purpose. To establish the Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental (OSHE) Program and define program responsibilities.

2. Scope. The OSHE Program applies to all activities and operations of the USGS, as well as its employees, volunteers, contractors, and visitors. Components of the OSHE Progam include:

A. Organizational Policy and Program Administration. Developing organizational policy, plans, guidelines, and rules relating to the USGS OSHE Program; interpreting safety, health, and environmental policy and procedures, including accountability of management and other personnel; establishing councils, committees, and work groups to address safety, health, and environmental issues; and designating appropriate resources for effective implementation of the OSHE Progam.

B. Standards. Ensuring personnel awareness of and accessibility to applicable policy, documents, codes, regulations, and program standards.

C. Safety and Environmental Program Assessments/Program Planning. Performing annual evaluations of program elements, including personnel and financial resources, to provide management with information on program effort and effectiveness; and to establish short- and long-term goals for program enhancement and implementation.

D. Inspections. Conducting operational and facility surveys, inspections, evaluations, and staff visits to identify hazards within the workplace and determine the level of organizational compliance with standards.

E. Hazard Identification and Abatement. Reporting and correcting unsafe and unhealthful working conditions and identifying/correcting workplace hazards through job hazard analyses.

F. Accident/Incident Investigation, Reporting, and Analysis. Investigating, reporting and analyzing accidents; providing recommended corrective actions; and tracking corrective measures through abatement to prevent recurrence.

G. Training. Identifying, developing, coordinating, scheduling, and conducting required training for target audiences, and providing professional development of personnel.

H. Promotion and Awareness. Assisting in compliance with standards and regulations; promoting awards and recognition programs; and developing safety and health promotion/awareness plans.

I. Industrial Hygiene/Occupational Medicine. Promoting hearing conservation, respiratory protection, personal protective equipment (as applicable), and laboratory safety.

J. Fire Protection, Prevention, and Response. Ensuring that USGS facilities and operations are compliant with established fire safety practices and policies.

K. Environmental Safety. Ensuring "Greening the Government" management and compliance; removal of hazardous waste; and facility compliance with Federal, State, and local environmental laws and regulations.

L. Motor Vehicles and Motorized Equipment. Ensuring that operators of motorized vehicles are identified and trained; and that equipment is maintained in safe working condition.

M. Contractor, Concessionaire, Volunteer, Public, and Off-the-Job Safety. Providing equivalent safety protections for subject personnel.

N. Specialized Program Assistance/Coordination. Assisting with aviation, radiation, firearms, diving, and watercraft activities.

O. High Hazard Operations. Promoting safety in the areas of blasting, confined space entry, electrofishing, rocketnetting; the use of electricity, and field operations.

3. Authorities.

A. Executive Order (E.O.) 12196, "Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees", directs each Federal agency to provide a safe and healthful workplace for all employees.

B. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 (Public Law 91-596) provides the requirements upon which Federal safety and health programs are based.

C. Guidelines and requirements for Federal employee safety and health are described in Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1960, "Basic Program Elements for Federal Employee Occupational Safety and Health Programs and Related Matters"; and 43 U.S. Code, Section 1457, regarding public safety.

D. The Department of the Interior (DOI) has established the scope, applicability, and assignment of responsibilities for the safety and occupational health program in the Departmental Manual (DM), Part 485, and its associated handbook, 485 Departmental Safety and Health Handbook.

E. EO 11514, "Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality," as amended by EO 11991, dated May 24, 1977, requires each Federal agency to initiate measures consistent with national environmental goals.

F. DOI has established the scope, applicability, and assignment of responsibilities for the environmental and hazardous waste management program in DM 515 and DM 518, respectively.

4. Policy. This SM Chapter sets forth the policy for administration of the OSHE Program for the USGS. It is the policy of the USGS to:

A. Provide and maintain a workplace that is free from recognized safety, health, and environmental hazards to protect personnel and visitors from injuries/illnesses; and to protect property from accidental damage.

B. Include safety and occupational health as an integral part of every operation.

C. Hold managers and supervisors accountable and provide them with recognition for successful implementation and management of the program within their scope of authority and responsibility.

D. Establish and maintain a staff of safety and occupational health professionals, and collateral-duty safety and environmental program coordinators at appropriate levels within the organization, to advise management in the development and implementation of an effective safety and occupational health program.

E. Require that no personnel be subjected to restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal for filing a report of an alleged unsafe or unhealthful working condition, or otherwise participating in the program.

F. Provide personnel with the supervision, knowledge, and skills necessary to safely perform their assigned tasks.

G. Require personnel and supervisors to identify and correct unsafe and unhealthful conditions, and to know and follow safe and healthful work rules and practices.

H. Use safety and health committees, as appropriate, to enhance the OSHE Program. (See SM 308.63, 308.64, 308.65, 308.66; and USGS 445-1-H, Chapter 2, and SM 445-2-H, Chapter 9.)

I. Comply with applicable program requirements of EO 12196, 29 CFR 1960, OSHA; and adopted national consensus standards.

J. Promote off-the-job safety and health of personnel through on-the-job safety and health activities.

K. Incorporate and enforce appropriate safety and health performance clause(s) in contracts with concessionaires and contractors.

5. Responsibilities. OSHE Program responsibility is shared by all levels of supervision. Specific responsibilities for OSHE Program establishment and implementation are described in detail in Chapter 2 , SM 445-1-H, Environmental Management and Compliance Requirements Handbook; Chapter 9, SM 445-2-H, Occupational Safety and Health Program Requirements Handbook; and SM 445-3-H, Safety and Health for Field Operations.

A. Director. Ensures the establishment and implementation of a comprehensive OSHE Program, including the designation of a USGS OSHE Program Manager with appropriate staff and adequate resources to manage an effective Bureau program. Holds line managers and supervisors accountable for fulfilling the requirements of the USGS OSHE Program.

B. Chief, Office of Administrative Policy and Services (APS). Serves as the Designated Agency Safety and Health Official (DASHO) for the USGS, exercising delegated authority from the Director for the overall management of the USGS OSHE Program. Serves s the USGS representative on the DOI DASHO Council.

C. Chief, Office of Management Services (OMS). Serves as the USGS Deputy DASHO. Responsibile for the development of USGS OSHE policy and supervising the USGS OSHE Program Manager.

D. USGS OSHE Program Manager.

(1) Administers a bureauwide OSHE Program within the Safety and Environmental Management Branch (SEMB) of OMS, reporting to the DASHO through the Chief, OMS.

(2) Advises and supports the Bureau DASHO, Deputy DASHO, and management bureauwide in carrying out OSHE Program responsibilities.

(3) Provides oversight and coordination of all OSHE Program elements bureauwide, as detailed in Chapter 2 of SM 445-2-H, Occupational Safety and Health Program Requirements Handbook; SM 445-1-H, Environmental Management and Compliance Requirements Handbook; and SM 445-3-H, Safety and Health for Field Operations.

(4) Provides bureauwide oversight and coordination of all specialized safety programs involving aviation, firearms, watercraft, diving, and radiation.

(5) Serves as the USGS representative on the DOI Safety Council, providing advice and direction to management of the DOI safety program.

E. Associate Directors (AD).

(1) Coordinate program implementation and ensure compliance within their respective organizations with regard to OSHA; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards; DOI requirements; Chapter 2 of SM 445-2-H, Occupational Safety and Health Program Requirements Handbook; SM 445-1-H, Environmental Management and Compliance Requirements Handbook; and SM 445-3-H, Safety and Health for Field Operations, as applicable.

(2) Provide oversight and guidance on issues related to the implementation of the OSHE Program in science projects/activities within their respective organizations.

(3) Appoint personnel to provide advice and assistance in administering the safety, health, and environmental program within their respective organizations.

F. Regional Directors (RD).

(1) Ensure the establishment of a regional safety, health, and environmental program consistent with DOI; USGS; and regional safety, health, and environmental policies and guidelines.

(2) Coordinate program implementation and ensure compliance within their respective organizations with regard to OSHA; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards; DOI requirements; Chapter 2 of SM 445-2-H, Occupational Safety and Health Program Requirements Handbook; SM 445-1-H, Environmental Management and Compliance Requirements Handbook; and SM 445-3-H, Safety and Health for Field Operations, as applicable.

(3) Provide oversight and guidance on issues related to the implementation of the USGS OSHE Program in science projects/activities within their respective regions.

(4) Designate appropriate resources to assist in the implementation of the region's safety, health, and environmental program.

G. Chiefs, Offices of Regional Services (ORS). Ensure administrative support of USGS safety, health, and environmental policy within the regions through regional safety managers.

H. Regional Executives (REx).

(1) Establish safety, health, and environmental programs consistent with DOI; USGS; and regional safety, health, and environmental policies and guidelines within their respective organizations.

(2) Delegate safety, health and environmental management and administrative authority, as appropriate, to safety personnel within their respective organizations. The designated safety personnel will have sufficient authority to effectively represent the interests of, and provide support to, regional discipline science and field organizations.

(3) Allocate appropriate resources to effectively implement the region's safety, health and environmental program.

I. Supervisors.

(1) Demonstrate personal commitment to, and actively participate in, providing for the safety and health of employees, contractors, concessionaires, volunteers, and visitors.

(2) Implement safety, health, and environmental program requirements within their areas of responsibility.

(3) Appoint appropriate resources to support field personnel in program implementation.

(4) Facilitate employee compliance with applicable Bureau policy requirements, as described in Chapter 2 of SM 445-2-H, Occupational Safety and Health Program Requirements Handbook; SM 445-1-H, Environmental Management and Compliance Requirements Handbook; and SM 445-3-H, Safety and Health for Field Operations.

(5) Provide or arrange for appropriate employee safety training and education.

(6) Perform job hazard analyses for high hazard operations and activities; and mitigate identified hazards.

(7) Conduct routine inspections of work areas and abate identified deficiencies as soon as practicable.

(8) Investigate all job-related accidents, including taking appropriate corrective action to preclude recurrence of similar accidents; and record incidents and accidents in the Safety Management Information System.

(9) Establish a personal protective equipment (PPE) program, including PPE issuance and employee training; and ensure compliance with applicable safety rules and regulations.

(10) Provide for employee participation in the OSHE Program without fear of restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal.

J. Employees.

(1) Observe all safety precautions and practices applicable to their assignments, reporting any hazardous conditions or procedures to their immediate supervisors.

(2) Wear required PPE and use provided safety equipment, as applicable.

(3) Report immediately to their supervisors any accident or incident that results in, or could result in, personal injury or property damage.

(4) Participate in all aspects of the OSHE Program, including safety training, inspections, safety committee activities, and collateral duty safety officer activities, as appropriate.

(5) Exercise rights and responsibilities as granted by the program without fear of restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal for reporting an unsafe or unhealthful condition, or otherwise participating in the program.

(6) Actively participate in safety and health education and training activities.

K. Employee (Union) Representatives, as applicable:

(1) Participate in formal annual inspections of establishments, and the identification of unsafe or unhealthful conditions.

(2) Review proposed safety and health work rules and regulations.

L. Environmental Management (EM) Council; Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Council; Regional Safety, Health, and Environmental Committees; Specialized Safety Program Committees; and Work Groups.

(1) EM and OSH Councils serve as advisory bodies on Bureau OSHE Program matters to the Bureau Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and DASHO.

(2) Specialized Safety Program Committees serve as advisory bodies on Bureau program matters to the ELT and DASHO. These committees make recommendations related to diving, radiation, watercraft, firearms, and aviation.

(3) Regional Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Committees serve as advisory bodies on regional program matters to the RD and REx.

(4) Field level committees serve as advisory bodies on local program matters to local managers.

(5) Councils, committees, and work groups provide focal points for coordinating USGS program activities and exchanging program information between headquarters, regional, and field-level managers and safety personnel.

(6) Encourage employees to comply with pertinent safety and health requirements and practice safe procedures during off-duty hours.

(7) Assist SEMB personnel in developing drafts of program guidelines and other documents.