United States Department of Agriculture
Research, Education, and Economics

ARS * CSREES * ERS * NASS
Manual

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
     1. INTRODUCTION
     2. AGENCY POLICY STATEMENT
          Safety Management
          Occupational Health Management
          Environmental Management
          Industrial Hygiene
          Radiation Safety Program
          Biological Safety Program
     3. APPLICABILITY
     4. MAINTENANCE OF THIS MANUAL
     5. DEFINITIONS
     6. AUTHORITIES
     7. ABBREVIATIONS
     8. SAFETY, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
          Basic Agency responsibilities for Safety, Health, and Environ- mental Standards are as follows:
          Procedures for Adoption
          New, Amended, or Supplementary Standards
          Conflicting Standards
          Emergency Temporary Standards
          Access to Standards
          Environmental Standards
          Distribution
     9. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
          Occupational Safety and Health
          Biological Safety
          Radiation Safety
          Industrial Hygiene
          Environmental Management
          Agricultural Safety
          Government Organizations
     10. RESPONSIBILITIES
     11. BASIC EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
     12. REPRISALS
     13. EDUCATION/TRAINING
     14. INCENTIVE AWARDS PROGRAM AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES
     15. CALENDAR OF REPORTING EVENTS (CORE)

SAFETY MANAGEMENT
     16. POSTER (AD-1010)
     17. SAFETY COMMITTEE PROGRAM
     18. FACILITIES DESIGN/FIRE PROTECTION
     19. ACCIDENTS/ILLNESS REPORTING, INVESTIGATION, AND ANALYSIS
     20. PUBLIC VISITOR PROTECTION PROGRAM
     21. INSPECTION/ABATEMENT PROGRAM
     22. ONSITE ASSISTANCE REVIEWS (OAR's)
     23. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES - ACQUISITION, REGISTRATION, RECORD KEEPING AND SECURITY
     24. STORAGE, PREPARATION, AND CONSUMPTION OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES IN FACILITIES WITH LABORATORIES
     25. HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM
     26. CHEMICAL HYGIENE PROGRAM
     27. REPORTING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE ACTIVITY WHEN SELLING OR
      TRANSFERRING REAL PROPERTY
     28. LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES
     29. CHEMICAL STORAGE, HANDLING, AND LABELING
     30. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT
     31. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
     32. OHMP

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
     33. INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY PROGRAM
     34. ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
     35. HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
     36. CONFINED SPACE PROGRAM
     37. OIL POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
     38. ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION GOAL
     39. NEPA
     40. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION
     41. FEDPLAN
     42. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
          General Statement
          Wetlands
          Threatened and Endangered Species
          Historical, Cultural and Archaeological Sites, Districts, and Objects
          Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Act
          Fish and Wildlife Populations and Habitats
          Outdoor Recreation
          Exotic Organisms
          Pest Management
     43. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
     44. CLEAN AIR PROGRAM
     45. HAZARDOUS WASTE DETERMINATIONS
     46. SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
     47. SAFE DRINKING WATER PROGRAM
     48. CLEAN WATER PROGRAM
     49. HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC MATERIALS PROGRAM
     50. CERCLA
     51. UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (UST) MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
     52. POLLUTION PREVENTION
     53. ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM EVALUATIONS
     54. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PROGRAM
     55. SARA TITLE III - EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO- KNOW ACT
     56. PESTICIDE WORKER PROTECTION PROGRAM (PWPP)

INTRODUCTION

1. INTRODUCTION

This Manual has been prepared to serve as a reference for management officials, supervisors, and employees. It incorporates elements of Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which requires the head of each Federal agency to establish a Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program that conforms to the standards set by the Secretary of Labor in Section 6 of the Act. Where more stringent safety, health, and environmental requirements are set forth, they will be applied.

The Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program is the Agency's plan to effect optimal achievement of error-free and, therefore, accident-free task performance, which involves employee, machine, and environmental relationships. Within the Agency, the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program encompasses the related functional areas of safety management, occupational health management, environmental management, and industrial hygiene. Also, Radiation and Biological Safety Programs have been developed.

2. AGENCY POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of ARS to eliminate or minimize losses incurred by the Agency, individual employees, and the general public as a result of actions or incidents involving or producing injury, illness, and property/environmental damage in the workplace by:

• Implementing the Agency's program for safety, health, and environmental management.
  
  
• Complying with the spirit and letter of safety, health, and environmental legislation and related standards, orders, rules, and regulations.
  
  
• Establishing procedures for procurement, repair, storage, waste management/disposal, and salvage operations to prevent accident-related losses.
  
  
• Providing supervisory/employee education/training opportunities for communicating program function components.
  
  
• Properly assigning, directing, and training ARS employees.
  
  
• Developing supervisory safety, health, and environmental- related knowledge and skills.
  
  
• Compensating for human factors/errors, which have an undesirable effect upon the Agency's research mission.
  
  
• Developing facility self-protection plans for emergency situations.
  
  
• Developing and implementing program promotional activities.
  
  
• Analyzing work assignments to identify potentially hazardous conditions or adverse environmental consequences.
  
  
• Developing standard operating procedures which minimize or eliminate potentially hazardous conditions or adverse environmental effects.
  
  
• Analyzing the relationship of the employee, machine, and environment for the identification of potentially hazardous conditions or adverse environmental effects.
  
  
• Protecting employees from hazardous conditions through isolation, guarding and shielding principles, or personal protective equipment.
  
  
• Developing policies and procedures which minimize or eliminate potentially hazardous conditions or adverse personal effects through chemical labeling, hygiene, proper storage and disposal, and by inventorying chemicals and hazardous substances/materials.
  
  
• Developing procedures for researching, measuring, and reporting of safety, health, and environmental-related data.
  
  
• Developing programs for reviewing, inspecting/auditing, and complying with the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program.
  
  
• Incorporating the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program components into daily routines.
  
  Periodic audit/inspection findings indicate that the Agency must take appropriate action to correct the deficiencies that exist, as well as provide a consistent level of program support to implement and maintain an acceptable Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program as required by Federal, State, and local regulations.

Safety Management

The objective of the safety management function is the establishment, measurement, and appraisal of functions, methods, and programs for identifying, analyzing, and correcting problems associated with management functions that result in accidents/incidents having an adverse effect on the best utilization of Agency employees and property.

Occupational Health Management

The occupational health management function has for its objectives the establishment of programs to recognize, evaluate, and control occupational health hazards and to promote healthful working conditions.

Environmental Management

The objective of the environmental management function is to develop, implement, manage, and evaluate programs to:

• protect the human and natural environment;
  
  
• provide stewardship of natural and other resources under the Agency's control;
  
  
• prevent, control, and abate pollution at/from Agency facilities;
  
  
• protect Agency personnel from administrative, civil, and criminal penalties and liability; and
  
  
• comply with substantive and procedural environmental requirements associated with environmental and project planning, facility construction, and operation and program execution.

Industrial Hygiene

The objective of the industrial hygiene function is the development and implementation of program activities designed to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace that may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, and/or significant discomfort among workers or among citizens of the community.

Radiation Safety Program

The Agency follows the Radiation Safety Program of the Department. The purpose of this program is to safeguard personnel, property, and the community at large from the potential hazards of radiation from all possible sources and thereby minimize legal risks associated with the presence or use of ionizing radiation. The Radiation Safety Program is administered by USDA. Specific program policy guidelines can be found in the departmental Radiation Safety Handbook and at the Radiation Safety Staff Homepage.

Biological Safety Program

The purpose of this program is to establish standards, special microbiological practices, safety equipment, and facilities that constitute biosafety levels 1-4, which are recommended for working with a variety of infectious agents in various laboratory settings. The purpose of this program is to protect the Agency and public from the potential adverse effects of infectious agents being studied within the Agency. This is achieved by establishing special biosafety standards, implementing rigorous biosafety practices, and conducting biohazardous research in specially designed facilities

Chapter 9, Biohazard Containment Design of Manual 242.1, ARS Construction Project Design Standard, addresses requirements and considerations for containment facilities covering hazard classification and choice of containment; architectural, mechanical, and electrical design features; testing and certification requirements for critical components of the containment system; and bid document preparation. Specific program policy/guidelines can be found at the Agency's Biosafety Management Homepage.

3. APPLICABILITY

The contents of this Manual are applicable to all missions under the direction of the Administrator whether accomplished by Agency personnel, cooperators, or contractors. Exceptions to the provisions of this Manual require Office of the Administrator approval. Waivers must be documented and copies furnished to the next higher management level. In all instances, however, program coverage consistent with the intent of the pertinent provisions will be provided.

4. MAINTENANCE OF THIS MANUAL

The Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Branch (SHEMB), Facilities Division (FD), is responsible for the issuance of any amendments to this Manual. The Manual will be updated as required to maintain compliance with new or revised policies, standards, or regulations.

Where references are made to websites, a hard copy will be made available to anyone not having access to the information. Contact your servicing representative.

5. DEFINITIONS

The intent of this section is to promote a common understanding of technical terms and definitions among the safety, health, and environmental professionals of the Agency. The list below contains a listing of terms and definitions pertinent to the technology and practice of safety, health, and environmental management within the Agency.

• Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program - The Agency's plan designed to affect optimal achievement of error-free and, therefore, accident-free task performance which involves employee, machine, and environmental relationships. Within the Agency, the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program encompasses the related functional areas of safety management, occupational health management, environmental management, and industrial hygiene.
  
  
• Industrial Hygiene - That science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace that may cause sickness, impaired health and well being, or significant discomfort and inefficiency among workers or among the citizens of the community.
  
  
• Environmental Planning - Systematic, interdisciplinary application of the natural and social sciences and the environmental design arts to achieve the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) objectives of better decisions, a hard look at short- and long-term environmental effects of Agency actions, consideration of environmental factors at the earliest stages of project planning, and minimization of environmental impact.
  
  
• Environmental Protection - Preserving and enhancing the quality of the natural environment through affirmative management activities consistent with conservative environmental and ecological values.
  
  
• Environmental Compliance - At a minimum, complying with the letter and spirit of applicable pollution control standards. In order to ensure compliance, regulated units are to be identified, and operations are to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
  
  
• Environmental Management - The sum of environmental planning, protection, and compliance activities integrated into overall management procedures.
  
  
• Accidents - Incidents occurring due to errors in performance of specific tasks by employees and/or machines in a particular workplace; sustained because of ineffective adjustments to hazards; manifested by losses incurred; and observable in the form of symptoms such as pain, injury, damage, destruction, and interruption of the research mission.
  
  
• Hazards - Chemical, physical, or behavioral obstruction of safe task performance by employees and/or machines which might allow an unfavorable extent of chance danger, peril, or risk to affect an incident resulting in unwarranted losses.

6. AUTHORITIES

Authority for programs to prevent accidents/incidents involving people, personal property, and the environment with respect to the operations of the Federal Government is provided in various authorities, laws, standards and Executive orders.

In some jurisdictions, more stringent State or local standards may govern our activities. The following list only contains those minimum Federal requirements that apply Agencywide.

Some of the authorities behind the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program are:

• 5 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 630, Federal Employees Family Friendly Leave Act;
  
  7 CFR, Part 2, Delegations of Authority by the Assistant Secretary for Administration;
  
  
• 10 CFR, Chapter I, Part 19, Notices, Instructions, and Reports to Workers, Inspection and Investigation; Part 20, Standards for Protection Against Radiation; and Part 30, Rules of General Applicability to Domestic Licensing of Byproduct Material;
  
  
• 29 CFR, Part 1605, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission;
  
  
• 29 CFR, Part 1928, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Agriculture;
  
  
• 29 CFR, Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards;
  
  
• 29 CFR, Part 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction;
  
  
• 29 CFR, Part 1960, Basic Program Elements for Federal Employee Occupational Safety and Health Programs;
  
  
• 40 CFR, Parts 1 to end, Protection of the Environment;
  
  
• 41 CFR, Part 101-5.3, Establishes General Services Administration (GSA) policy on and provides guidelines for the installation of physical fitness facilities;
  
  
• 42 CFR, Part 2, Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records;
  
  
• 49 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter I, Subchapter C, Parts 171-178, Hazardous Materials Regulations;
  
  
• 49 CFR 173, Department of Transportation (DOT) safety regulations;
  
  
• 5 United States Code (USC) 552a, Privacy Act of 1974;
  
  
• 5 USC 792, Federal Employees Health and Counseling Programs;
  
  
• 5 USC 7361-7362, Federal requirements for developing appropriate prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs and services for drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism among employees;
  
  
• 5 USC, 7901, Health Service Programs;
  
  
• 29 USC 668, 673, Sections 6, 19, and 24 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1609, 1614, Federal Agency Safety Programs and Responsibilities);
  
  
• 29 USC 794, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended;
  
  
• 42 USC 9601, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Title III, Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986;
  
  
• Public Law (P.L.) 95-454, Civil Service Reform Act of 1978;
  
  
• P.L. 100-71, Section 503 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1987;
  
  
• P.L. 102-143, The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991;
  
  
• P.L. 103-103, Federal Employees Leave Sharing Amendments Act;
  
  
• P.L. 103-388, Family and Medical Leave Act;
  
  
• P.L. 103-409, FEGLI Living Benefits Act;
  
  
• Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964;
  
  
• Executive Order (E.O.) 12088 dated October 13, 1988, Pollution Prevention;
  
  
• E.O. 12196 dated February 26, 1980, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal employees;
  
  
• E.O. 12564 dated September 15, 1986, Drug Free Workplace;
  
  
• E.O. 12856 dated August 3, 1993, Federal Facilities Compliance;
  
  
• Comptroller General Decision B-187074 dated November 7, 1977, holding that under 5 USC 7901 an agency may expend appropriated funds for the procurement of diagnostic and preventative psychological counseling services;
  
  
• Comptroller General Decision B-226569 dated November 30, 1987, allowing reimbursement for local travel expenses for visits to the Employee Assistance Counselor located at another agency when an agency determines that the travel is advantageous to the Government;
  
  
• Departmental Manual 5600-1, Environmental Pollution Prevention, Control, and Abatement;
  
  
• ARS P&P 600.12, “Guidelines and Precautions to Be Taken By Personnel In Storing, Using, Handling, and Disposing of Agricultural Chemical Pesticides”;
  
  
• Scientific and Technical Guidelines for Drug Testing Programs--Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), as revised;
  
  
• Standards for Certification of Laboratories Engaged in Urine Drug Testing for Federal Agencies--ADAMHA, DHHS, as revised;
  
  
• Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) Bulletin 87-9, provides agencies with guidance relative to workers' compensation claims and physical fitness activities.

7. ABBREVIATIONS

• AAO        - Area Administrative Officer
  
• ACGIH    - American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
  
• AD        - Area Director
  
• ADAMHA     - Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration
  
• ADP        - Automated Data Processing
  
• A-E        - Architect-Engineer
  
• AFM        - Administrative and Financial Management
  
• ARS        - Agricultural Research Service
  
• ASHM        - Area Safety and Health Manager
  
• CAA        - Clean Air Act
  
• CDC        - Centers for Disease Control
  
• CEPS        - Cluster Environmental Protection Specialist
  
• CERCLA    - Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
  
• CFR        - Code of Federal Regulations
  
• COR        - Contracting Officer's Representative
  
• CORE        - Calendar of Reporting Events
  
• CZM        - Coastal Zone Management
  
• DAAFM    - Deputy Administrator, Administrative and Financial Management
  
• DEA        - Drug Enforcement Administration
  
• DHHS        - Department of Health and Human Services
  
• DOJ        - Department of Justice
  
• DOL        - Department of Labor
  
• DOT        - Department of Transportation
  
• EPA        - Environmental Protection Agency
  
• EAP        - Employee Assistance Program
  
• FD        - Facilities Division
  
• FECA        - Federal Employees Compensation Act
  
• FEMA        - Federal Emergency Management Agency
  
• FIFRA    - Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
  
• FWS        - Fish and Wildlife Service
  
• GPO        - Government Printing Office
  
• GSA        - General Services Administration
  
• HRD        - Human Resources Division
  
• HWC        - Hazardous Waste Cleanup
  
• MSDS        - Material Safety Data Sheets
  
• NEPA        - National Environmental Policy Act
  
• NRC        - Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  
• OAR        - Onsite Assistance Review
  
• OHMP        - Occupational Health Maintenance Program
  
• OSHA        - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  
• P&P        - Policy and Procedure
  
• PWPP        - Pesticide Worker Protection Program
  
• RCRA        - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
  
• SARA        - Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
  
• SHEMB    - Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Branch
  
• TEP        - Technical Evaluation Panel
  
• USC        - United States Code

8. SAFETY, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Basic Agency responsibilities for Safety, Health, and Environmental Standards are as follows:

• The Chief, SHEMB, FD, will develop safety, health, and environmental standards for general Agency application. The chief will also serve as the primary interpreter of other Federal/State/local safety, health, and environmental- related standards as to their applicability to ARS operations. The chief will provide guidance and assistance necessary to ensure adequate compliance with applicable safety, health, and environmental standards by program officials throughout the Agency.
  
  
• The Area Directors (AD's), Area Administrative Officers (AAO's), Center Directors, and Location Coordinators will maintain a complete and current set of applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DOT standards. These officials will provide other managerial support of the requirements, and ensure compliance through resource allocation and policies.
  
  
• The Area/Center/Collateral Duty Safety Officers, Area Safety and Health Managers (ASHM's), Cluster Environmental Protection Specialists (CEPS), or Industrial Hygienists will provide guidance and assistance necessary to ensure adequate compliance with all applicable safety, occupational health, environmental, and industrial hygiene standards by program officials in their areas of concern.
  
  
• Supervisory and managerial personnel will be knowledgeable of standards that apply to their work areas and will ensure that employees under their supervision know and follow applicable standards.
  
  
• All employees will be knowledgeable about and will follow the standards that apply to their areas of work.

Procedures for Adoption

• E.O. 12196 requires the Secretary of Labor to provide consultation to agencies as necessary and appropriate to ensure agency standards are consistent with OSHA standards.
  
  
• To meet the requirements of E.O. 12196, ARS will adopt OSHA standards published as 29 CFR 1910, 1918, 1926, and 1928 as ARS standards unless a request for an exception is submitted through the Deputy Administrator, Administrative and Financial Management (DAAFM) to the Department of Labor (DOL).
  
  
• The DAAFM will submit new safety and health standards which conflict with OSHA standards to OSHA for approval. Requests will include:
  
  
  • copies of the standard proposed for adoption, arranged to correspond to appropriate subparts of OSHA standards; and
    
    
  • information supporting the standard's proposal (i.e., past accident experience, how the proposal is as effective as OSHA standards, and why the OSHA standards conflict with effective ARS operations).

New, Amended, or Supplementary Standards

• The Chief, SHEMB, FD, through the DAAFM, may amend or develop new standards for special application to working conditions.
  
  
• The Chief, SHEMB, FD, through the DAAFM, may adopt supplementary standards for application to working conditions for which no OSHA standard exists.
  
  
• The above procedures will be followed when new, amended, or supplementary standards are required to address occupational health, industrial hygiene, and environmental issues.

Conflicting Standards

• Where Agency employees are engaged in joint operations with other Federal agencies or primarily work in the facility of another agency, the Administrator, or his designee, will consult with the head of the other agency to resolve potential conflicts between ARS safety, health, and environmental standards and standards of that agency. ASHM's will coordinate these situations and report such conflicts to the Chief, SHEMB, FD, through the AAO.
  
  
• If distinctly separate activities are performed at a single location, each activity will be treated as a separate establishment.
  
  
• If the Agency owns and provides services to a facility shared by another Federal agency, State agency or university, or other cooperator, ARS standards will prevail until conflicting standards are resolved and a memorandum of understanding/research agreement or similar document is prepared.
  
  
• When the Agency is required by law to comply with requirements of another Federal authority (e.g., GSA) and compliance conflicts with Agency safety, health, and environmental standards, the Administrator, or his designee, will inform the head of the Federal authority of the conflict so that point efforts for resolution may be made. Each ASHM will monitor and report these situations to the DAAFM through the Chief, SHEMB, FD, through the AD/AAO.

Emergency Temporary Standards

• The Agency will adopt OSHA emergency temporary standards which apply to ARS activities. Applicable management officials will immediately ensure that employees exposed to hazards receive the protection provided by OSHA emergency temporary standards.
  
  
• OSHA emergency temporary standards will remain effective as Agency standards until the Secretary of Labor publishes a permanent standard or Agency standards are adopted which are consistent with these OSHA standards.
  
  The Chief, SHEMB, FD, may develop Agency emergency temporary standards when necessary to protect Agency employees from imminent danger.

Access to Standards

• The DAAFM will notify appropriate USDA safety and health officials of final adoption, revision, modification, or revocation of Agency safety, health, and environmental standards.
  
  
• The Chief, SHEMB, FD, will provide Areas/locations with instructions for obtaining current safety, health, and environmental standards applicable to their operations.
  
  NOTE:    Locations may establish safety, health, and environmental regulations applicable to unique local working conditions, provided such regulations do not conflict with and are not less stringent than established Agency standards or policies. Location safety, health, and environmental regulations are not considered as standards for the purposes of this Manual.

Environmental Standards

• The Agency will adopt all environmental-related standards associated with the rules, regulations, codes, and laws listed in the Authorities Section of this chapter. The Agency will also adopt, where appropriate, Federal, State, county, and local environmental standards.

Distribution

• Each ARS location will maintain a complete and current set of:
  
  
  • applicable safety, health, biological, radiological, and environmental standards; and
    
    
  • ARS Manual 230.0.
    
    

  These items will be readily accessible to all employees.

  A list of all possible applicable standards for a given location would be very long if all the statutes, laws, regulations, policies and procedures, etc., on the books were included. Your location, service area, Headquarters safety, health, or environmental representative should be consulted when determining which location operation requires compliance with a specific standard.

9. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE

Agency personnel are sometimes asked to make a preliminary assessment of the degree of employee exposure to hazards arising from a process or operation. In emergency situations and in the absence of immediate access to an Industrial Hygienist, ASHM, Collateral Duty Safety Officer, CEPS, or Safety Specialist, it may be necessary to take immediate action to identify, evaluate, or control an occupational hazard. Therefore, one must utilize available resources to assure that the best advice is provided. The purpose of this section is to provide Agency personnel with information about specialized help that is available from a number of sources.  Informational resources can be found at the FD-SHEMB Homepage.

There is an overwhelming amount of information available from the Federal Government that concerns all aspects of safety, health, and environmental programs. Because of content changes in Government agency activities and frequent reorganizations with the Government, it is recommended that you consult the latest issue of the U.S. Government Organization Manual published annually by the GPO, Washington, D.C. 20402. This paperbound book can be found in most libraries and Government offices.

10. RESPONSIBILITIES

The Administrator will:

• Initiate and maintain/oversee a comprehensive and viable Safety, Health, Radiation, Biological, and Environmental Management Program consistent with the requirements set forth in applicable Federal/State/local legislative and Executive mandates.
  
  
• Serve or designate, as required by USDA Departmental Regulation 4400-1, a Deputy Administrator to serve as the Agency's Designated Safety and Health Official and provide the necessary staffing, education/training, equipment, financial resources, and management support to develop and manage a comprehensive and effective Agencywide program.
  
  
• Ensure that Agency employees are furnished with places and conditions of employment that are free from recognized hazards that may contribute to the occurrence of occupational-related injury, illness, death, or property/environmental damage.
  
  
• Ensure that administrative procedures and professional services are available for the recognition and treatment of employees' personal difficulties that may affect their safety, health, or productivity.
  
  
• Ensure prompt response to all reports of unsafe or unhealthful conditions, and establish procedures designed to ensure that no employee is subject to any interference, discrimination, or other type of reprisal for reporting such conditions or participating in Agency Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program activities.
  
  
• Ensure that periodic inspections of all Agency workplaces are performed by qualified and properly equipped personnel and provide for adequate employee representation during inspections.
  
  
• Ensure prompt abatement of unsafe and unhealthful working conditions and assure proper posting of notices for identified unsafe and unhealthful conditions that cannot be abated immediately.
  
  
• Ensure that safety, health, and environmental-related education and training are provided for all Agency employees (with special emphasis on supervisory personnel, collateral duty safety and health personnel, representatives of employees, members of safety and health committees, employees performing hazardous work assignments and duties, new employees, and employees assigned specific safety, health, and environmental management and operational duties and responsibilities).
  
  
• Ensure participation by and consultation with employees or their representatives in safety, health, and environmental operations and activities.
  
  
• Ensure that safety, health, and environmental responsibilities are integrated within the performance standards of all managers, supervisors, and employees.
  
  
• Furnish, upon Department request or as directed, all safety, health, and environmental-related reports (annual, evaluation, investigation, etc.); statistical reports (injury, illness, property/environmental damage, loss, costs, etc.); and/or hazardous waste cleanup/funding reports.

Each function (individual program) within the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program carries additional, specific responsibilities. Please refer to the individual programs for details.

Deputy Administrators, Associate Deputy Administrators, National Program Leaders, and Headquarters Staffs and Divisions or Their Subordinate Staffs will:

• Recommend actions based on input from knowledgeable personnel that enable ARS to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of impacting safety, health, and environmental legislation.
  
  
• Provide coordination and consultative assistance to subordinates under their jurisdiction to help them develop safety, health, radiation, biological and environmental strategies to meet the requirements of USDA, ARS policies and impacting laws, standards, and regulations.
  
  
• Include adequate funds for compliance with safety, health, and environmental standards in budgets under their jurisdiction.
  
  
• Ensure that all necessary actions are taken for the prevention, control, and abatement of potentially hazardous conditions for all operations and activities under their jurisdiction.
  
  
• Develop improvement plans and provide followup reports for corrective action measures to meet standards.
  
  
• Participate in Agencywide development of program implementation plans (i.e., goals, objectives, milestones) designed to ensure compliance.
  
  
• Provide review and comments, as requested, on safety, health, and environmental issues.
  
  Immediately notify the appropriate management official responsible for resource allocations whenever unsafe, unhealthful, environmentally damaged, or potential pollution situations arise so that appropriate actions can be taken.
  
  
• Ensure through the Biological Safety Officer that all safety, health, and environmental concerns are addressed during the design/construction of biosafety facilities and are within research procedures and new programs which require compliance with biosafety levels.
  
  
• Establish policy to ensure that the Agency's research operations are in compliance with NEPA provisions.

AD's, Under the Direction of the Administrator, will:

• Exercise primary responsibility to initiate, operate, and direct a comprehensive and viable Area Safety, Health, Radiation, Biological, and Environmental Management Program, consistent with the requirements set forth in applicable legislative/Executive mandates and Manual 230.0, Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program.
  
  
• Provide the necessary staffing, education/training, equipment, financial resources, and management support to develop and manage a comprehensive and viable program.
  
  
• Provide all supervisory personnel and employees immediate access to applicable safety, health, and environmental standards and program elements.
  
  
• Ensure that all accidents, injuries, illnesses, and environmental releases are properly reported; appropriate forms are prepared; and investigations are performed to identify causes and to determine corrective actions.
  
  
• Establish Area goals and objectives for reducing or eliminating accidents, injuries, illnesses, and damage to the environment consistent with Agencywide goals/objectives set forth by the Administrator.
  
  
• Inform and hold subordinate supervisors accountable for implementing and monitoring ARS program requirements and for ensuring that they and their employees are properly trained and prepared to carry out these responsibilities.
  
  
• Compile and approve in a timely manner overall Areawide safety, health, and environmental reports, inventories, and statistics required by the ARS Administrator.
  
  
• Develop safety, health, and environmental duties and responsibilities in position descriptions of line managers, staff officials, and employees.
  
  
• Comply with all NEPA requirements related to construction and program issues; conduct all required environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, categorical exclusions, etc.; and record, sign, forward, and maintain copies of all project documents.

Each function (individual program) within the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program carries additional, specific responsibilities. Please refer to the individual program for details.

Center Directors, Location Coordinators, and Research Leaders will:

• Implement, manage, monitor, and comply with all applicable Federal and State regulations and Agency Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program policies and procedures and standards to ensure safe, healthy, and environmentally protected workplaces.
  
  
• Inform and hold subordinate supervisors responsible for implementing and managing the Agency's safety, health, and environmental requirements, and ensure that they and their employees are properly educated, trained, and prepared to carry out these responsibilities.
  
  
• Provide education/training, equipment, facilities, other necessary financial resources, and management support to subordinate employees to ensure compliance with the safety, health, and environmental policies and regulations described above.
  
  
• Seek out and utilize trained safety, health, industrial hygiene, environmental, and radiological personnel, or acquire such personnel by direct hire or contract to assist in solving safety, health, environmental, and radiological problems to provide a safe working environment.
  
  
• Furnish location employees with places and conditions of employment that are free from recognized hazards. Provide training/personal protective equipment to work around known hazardous situations that cannot be corrected without unjustifiable resource allocations that may contribute to the occurrence of occupational-related injury, illness, death, or environmental damage.
  
  
• Ensure that administrative procedures and professional employee assistance programs are available for the    identification and treatment of employees' work-related and/or personal difficulties that may affect their safety, health, or productivity.
  
  
• Respond promptly to all reports of unsafe or unhealthy conditions that threaten people, property, or the environment, and establish procedures designed to ensure that no employee is subject to any interference, discrimination, or other type of reprisal for reporting such conditions or participating in the Agency's Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program activities.
  
  
• Periodically inspect all location workplaces through qualified and properly equipped personnel, and provide for adequate employee representation during inspections.
  
  
• Provide prompt abatement of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions that threaten people, property, or the environment, and ensure proper posting of notices for identified unsafe and unhealthful conditions that cannot be abated immediately.
  
  
• Provide periodic safety, health, and environmental education/training for all location employees, including themselves, (with special emphasis on supervisory personnel, collateral duty safety and health personnel, representatives of employees, members of safety and health committees, employees performing hazardous work assignments and duties, new employees, and employees assigned specific safety, health, and environmental duties and responsibilities) to keep all employees current with program requirements and policies.
  
  
• Require participation by and consultation with employees or their representatives (i.e., unions) in the locations' safety, health, and environmental operations and activities.
  Integrate safety, health, and environmental responsibilities into the performance standards of all managers, supervisors, and employees under their jurisdiction, and appraise their performance accordingly.
  
  
• Obtain the necessary data and furnish all safety, health, and environmental reports (annual, evaluation, investigation, etc.); statistical reports (injury, illness, property/environmental damage, loss, costs, etc.); and hazardous waste cleanup/funding reports.
  
  
• Recommend actions that enable the Agency to comply with the intent and purposes of applicable standards impacting safety, health, and environmental legislation.
  
  
• Report within required deadlines any and all environmental releases (i.e., any spilling, leaking, pumping, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment) to appropriate Federal, State, or local regulatory officials and Area/Headquarters officials.
  
  
• As required, provide support and make formal recommendations to the Area Director concerning environmental issues and building permit procedures related to NEPA.

Each function (individual program) within the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program carries additional specific responsibilities. Please refer to the individual program for details.

The DAAFM will:

• Recommend actions that enable the Agency to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of safety, health, and environmental legislation.
  
  
• Recommend ARS policy and procedures on safety, health, and environmental standards and program elements to comply with Federal laws and regulations.
  
  
• Inform Agency line/staff officials of changes in safety, health, and environmental management standards and program elements to comply with Federal laws and regulations.
  
  
• Provide oversight to ascertain that applicable safety, health, and environmental concerns/provisions are observed in Agency acquisition, construction, personnel, ADP, property (real/personal), contracting, and financial processes.
  
  
• Ensure the compilation and distribution of Agencywide safety, health, and environmental reports, inventories, and statistics as required.
  
  
• Administer funds appropriated to the Agency for hazardous waste cleanup and compliance purposes, and provide guidance to Agency officials on programming and budgeting for Safety,Health, and Environmental Management Program operations/activities.
  
  
• Ensure that reviews, inspections/audits, evaluations, and followup of needed corrective actions of Agency operations/activities are performed to ascertain that they are in compliance or are being brought into compliance insofar as feasible with applicable Federal, State, and local safety, health, and environmental standards.
  
  
• Ensure through the Department's Radiation Safety Staff that all safety, health, and environmental concerns are addressed within the Radiation Safety Program as required by current Federal laws and regulations.
  
  
• Ensure, through the Biological Safety Officer, that all safety, health, and environmental concerns are addressed within the Biological Safety Program.

Each function (individual program) within the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program carries additional, specific responsibilities. Please refer to the individual program for details.

FD-SHEMB will:

• Develop, implement, manage, and monitor all applicable safety, health, and environmental standards and programs as required by Federal laws and regulations.
  
  
• Ensure that all supervisory personnel and employees know of their right to have access to applicable safety, health, and environmental standards and program elements.
  
  
• Ensure that supervisors and employees properly report all accidents, injuries, illnesses, and environmental releases; complete the appropriate forms within prescribed deadlines; perform investigations to identify causes; and determine corrective actions.
  
  
• Recommend actions that enable ARS to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of safety, health, and environmental legislation.
  
  
• Establish and recommend ARS policy and procedures on safety, health, and environmental standards and on Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program components.
  
  
• Identify and prepare correspondence and information through the DAAFM and Agency line/staff officials concerning changes in safety, health, and environmental management standards and program elements that need to be implemented in the Agency. Serve as liaison with Department officials and external regulatory offices to determine legislation, regulatory requirements, or changes in safety, health, and environmental regulations which impact Agency programs.
  
  
• Advise other ARS-AFM functional areas of safety, health, and environmental-related concerns/provisions which must be included in acquisition, construction, personnel, ADP, property (real/personal), contracting, and financial processes.
  
  
• Obtain the necessary data and compile Agencywide safety, health, and environmental reports, inventories, and statistics as required.
  
  
• Recommend actions and provide guidance to line officials on programming and budgeting for safety, health, and environmental management activities.
  
  
• Conduct periodic reviews and make written assessments of Areas' efforts to implement the Agency Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program.
  
  
• Establish Agencywide procedures for inspecting and evaluating the effectiveness of the Agency program at all organizational levels.
  
  
• Ensure through the responsible property management officials that safety, health, and environmental concerns are addressed in the acquisition and disposal of real and personal property.
  
  
• Provide, except where delegated to the Area Office, operational safety, health, and environmental project management for FD facility projects in excess of $500,000 for construction and in excess of $50,000 for architect- engineer (A-E) requirements.
  
  
• Provide policy direction and support to program officials concerning hazardous waste cleanup funding projects; monitor Area utilization of the funding and ensure required Status of Funds Reports are prepared by Area officials; and prepare Agency response to the Department.
  
  
• Provide policy direction and guidance to the Area/location staff and line officials in their preparation of Statements of Work for preliminary assessments, site inspections, or other preremedial/remedial work for Area pollution prevention/abatement/remediation projects, and serve as a Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) member as required.
  
  
• Provide policy direction and guidance to Area/location officials in their preparation of EPA Form 3500-7, Federal Agency Pollution Abatement Plan - Project Report; RCRA, Section 3016, Inventory Form; EPA Form 7530-1, Notification for Underground Storage Tanks; and FEDPLAN, Federal Facilities Information System/Pollution Status Report - Agency Plan.

Each function (individual program) within the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program carries additional, specific responsibilities. Please refer to the individual program for details.

AAO's will:

Assist line managers in identifying and allocating necessary staffing, education/training, and financial resources to develop and manage a comprehensive and viable Area program.

• Provide administrative management assistance to the AD in establishing Area goals/objectives for reducing or eliminating accidents, injuries, illnesses, or damage to the environment.
  
  
• Provide administrative management assistance in compiling Areawide safety, health, and environmental reports, inventories, and statistics required by the Administrator.
  
  
• Recommend actions that enable the AD to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of impacting safety, health, and environmental legislation.
  
  
• Assist in the development of improvement plans and followup reports for corrective action measures to meet safety, health, and environmental standards.
  
  
• Provide all supervisory personnel and employees immediate access to applicable safety, health, and environmental standards and program components.
  
  
• Ensure that all accidents, injuries, illnesses, and environmental releases are properly reported; that appropriate forms are prepared; and that investigations are performed to identify causes and determine corrective actions.
  
  
• Participate in the development of an Agencywide Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program to ensure compliance with regulations.
  
  
• Monitor hazardous waste cleanup (HWC) fund spending to ensure compliance with departmental HWC spending guidelines; ensure quality and accuracy of HWC Status of Funds Reports for all Area projects; and ensure HWC activities are conducted, and the findings reported to Headquarters as required.
  
  
• Administratively supervise (or delegate the responsibilities), assign tasks, and monitor the performance of individual CEPS, Industrial Hygienists, and other safety, health, and environmental employees under their supervision. Assignments will be congruent with Areawide/Agencywide program goals, priorities, and objectives, unless the location situation/condition requires immediate attention.

Each function (individual program) within the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program carries additional, specific responsibilities. Please refer to the individual program for details.

Location Administrative Officers will:

Assist line managers in identifying and allocating necessary staffing, education/training, and financial resources to develop and manage a comprehensive and viable location program.

• Provide administrative management assistance to the Center Director/Location Coordinator/Research Leader in establishing location goals/objectives for reducing or eliminating accidents, injuries, illnesses, or damage to the environment.
  
  
• Provide administrative management assistance in compiling location safety, health, and environmental-related reports, inventories, and statistics required by the Agency.
  
  
• Recommend actions that enable the Center Director/Location Coordinator/Research Leader to comply with the intent and purpose of standards impacting safety, health, and environmental legislation.
  
  
• Assist in the development of improvements, plans, and followup reports for corrective action measures to meet standards.
  
  
• Provide all location supervisory personnel and employees immediate access to applicable safety, health, and environmental standards and program elements.
  
  
• Ensure that all accidents, injuries, illnesses, and environmental releases are properly reported; that appropriate forms are prepared; and that investigations are performed to identify causes and determine corrective actions.
  
  
• Participate in the development of Agencywide safety, health and environmental management programs to ensure compliance with regulations.
  
  
• Monitor HWC fund spending to ensure compliance with departmental HWC spending guidelines; ensure quality and accuracy of HWC Status of Funds Reports for all location projects; and ensure quarterly reviews of HWC activities are conducted, and that the findings are reported to Headquarters as required.
  
  
• Administratively supervise, assign tasks, and monitor the performance of individual CEPS, Industrial Hygienists, and other safety, health, and environmental employees under their supervision. Assignments will be congruent with Areawide/Agencywide program goals, priorities, and objectives, unless the location situation/condition requires immediate attention.

Each function (individual program) within the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program carries additional, specific responsibilities. Please refer to the individual program for details.

ASHM's will:

• Coordinate and provide technical oversight to the implementation of the Agency Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program for all Area employees, cooperators, and visitors in accordance with the policies, regulations, and responsibilities described in this Manual.
  
  
• Ensure that all Area/location programs within the Area are consistent with Agency guidelines and with Federal laws and regulations.
  
  
• Ensure that known and foreseeable safety, health, and environmental concerns are taken into consideration regarding research activities, construction, repair and maintenance, modernization, and HWC projects.
  
  
• Recommend Area/location goals, objectives, and resource requirements for reducing or eliminating accidents, injuries, illnesses, and damage to the environment.
  
  
• Ensure that managers/supervisors arrange for appropriate safety, health, and environmental education/training programs; orientations for new employees; and assistance in such training as priorities permit.
  
  
• Ensure that managers/supervisors comply with Federal, State, and local safety, health, and environmental rules, regulations, standards, policies, and guidance issued by the Agency with respect to the Agency Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program.
  
  
• Ensure that periodic inspections, including environmental audits, of all workplaces are performed, and that an abatement program is put in place on an annual basis or as resources permit.
  
  
• Through appropriate management/reporting systems, monitor abatement of unsafe and unhealthful working conditions at all locations within the Area.
  
  
• Assist managers/supervisors in preparing and providing all safety, health, and environmental plans, cost estimates, reports, statistics, and/or other information for the locations within the Area.
  
  
• Recommend corrective solutions/actions to ensure prompt abatement of unsafe and unhealthful working conditions.
  
  
• Conduct periodic reviews and make written assessments to the supervisors, AD's, and the DAAFM of locations' efforts to implement the Agency Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program.
  
  
• Assist Area/location property personnel in addressing all safety, health, and environmental concerns relating to the acquisition and disposal of real and personal property.
  
  
• Provide safety, health, and environmental guidance and assistance to Area/location personnel in their administration of the Area/location program, setting of program priorities, and evaluating program implementation and effectiveness.
  
  
• Assist Area/location managers in reporting, as necessary, to the appropriate Federal, State, or local regulatory officials and Area/Headquarters officials any and all environmental releases (i.e., any spilling, leaking, pumping, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment) of a listed hazardous substance in quantities equal to or greater than listed quantities.
  
  
• Provide operational safety, health, and environmental project management for Area facility projects under $500,000 for construction and A-E requirements under $50,000 or when in receipt of delegation of authority. Review design submittals and approve from a safety and health perspective.
  
  
• Provide technical support and make formal recommendations for all construction and all research-related issues to the AD concerning environmental and building permit procedures and issues related to NEPA for Area facility projects under $500,000 for construction and A-E requirements under $50,000.
  
  
• Coordinate resolution of environmental issues with appropriate Federal, State, and local environmental regulatory organizations associated with design projects over $50,000 and NEPA issues impacting facility design identified by the A-E.
  
  
• Review, correct, and consolidate location/Area submittals concerning EPA Form 3500-7, Federal Agency Pollution Abatement Plan - Project Report; RCRA, Section 3016, Inventory Form; EPA Form 7530-1, Notification for Underground Storage Tanks; and FEDPLAN, Federal Facilities Information System/Pollution Status Report - Agency Plan.
  
  
• Prepare Statements of Work for preliminary assessments/site inspections or other preremedial/remedial work for all Area pollution prevention/abatement/remediation projects regardless of dollar value; serve as the Chairperson for the project(s) TEP; and serve as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) as required.
  
  
• Each function (individual program) within the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program carries additional, specific responsibilities. Please refer to the individual program for details.

CEPS, Location Safety Officers, Industrial Hygienists, Collateral Duty Safety Officers and Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 Contractors Providing Safety, Health, and Environmental Support to Employees/ Facilities/Equipment in Compliance with Applicable Contract Provisions, as Directed by Center Director/Location Coordinator/Research Leader, will:

• Recommend actions that enable the Agency to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of Federal/State safety, health, and environmental laws and regulations.
  
  
• Assist managers/supervisors in developing and implementing the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program for location employees, cooperators, and visitors according to the Agency and Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
  
  
• Assist managers/supervisors in designing all programs at the locations being serviced to be consistent with the ARS Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program policy.
  
  
• Assist managers/supervisors in designing safety, health, and environmental compliance into location research operations, construction, repair and maintenance, and modernization projects.
  
  
• Recommend location/Area goals and objectives for reducing or eliminating accidents, injuries, illnesses, and damage to the environment.
  
  
• Arrange, conduct, assist the location in obtaining appropriate safety, health, and environmental education/ training programs and orientations for present and new employees.
  
  
• Ensure that managers/supervisors are complying with all applicable Agency, Federal, State, and local safety, health, and environmental rules, regulations, and standards. Report all violations to higher levels of management.
  
  
• Conduct inspections/environmental audits of all workplaces within the locations being serviced on a regular basis.
  
  
• Provide or recommend prompt abatement of unsafe and unhealthful working conditions, facilities, equipment, and practices.
  
  
• Assist the Center Director/Location Coordinator/Research Leader with all safety, health, and environmental-related plans to bring the location/unit into compliance along with cost estimates, reports of violations/corrective actions, training needed, supporting statistics, and/or other information for the locations being serviced.
  
  
• Provide safety, health, and environmental guidance and assistance to location officials in their administration of the location programs; assist in setting safety, health, and environmental program priorities; and assist in evaluating program implementation/effectiveness.
  
  
• Assist managers/supervisors in implementing ARS policies/ procedures which minimize or eliminate potentially hazardous conditions or adverse personal effects through chemical hygiene management, proper storage and disposal, and by inventorying chemicals and hazardous substances/materials.
  
  
• Assist Area/location officials in reporting to the appropriate Federal, State, or local regulatory officials and Area/Headquarters officials on any and all environmental releases (i.e., any spilling, leaking, pumping, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment) of a listed hazardous substance in quantities equal to or greater than listed quantities.
  
  
• Collect data and assist managers/supervisors in preparing location submittal of EPA Form 3500-7, Federal Agency Pollution Abatement Plan - Project Report; RCRA, Section 3016, Inventory Form; EPA Form 7530-1, Notification for Underground Storage Tanks; and FEDPLAN, Federal Facilities Information System/Pollution Status Report - Agency Plan.
  
  
• As required, assist in preparing Statements of Work for preliminary assessments/site inspections or other preremedial/remedial work for locations being served. Serve as a TEP member, if assigned, for pollution prevention/ abatement/remediation projects, and serve as the COR as required.
  
  
• As required, provide technical support and make formal recommendations for location construction and research- related issues involving NEPA and building permit procedures for facility projects under $500,000 for construction and A-E requirements under $50,000.

Each function (individual program ) within the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program carries additional, specific requirements. Please refer to the individual program for details.

All Employees will:

To the extent and scope of their authority, ensure safe and healthful workplaces.

• Comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local regulations; ARS safety, health, and environmental standards; and all rules, regulations, and orders.
  
  
• Ensure the proper and timely reporting of all accidents, injuries, illnesses, and environmental releases; prepare the appropriate forms; and timely notification of supervisory/ management employees of the causes and corrective actions recommended, which may include training.
  
  
• Perform all assigned tasks (including those activities not specifically addressed by existing rules or regulations) in a manner conducive to the safety and health of themselves, their fellow employees, the public, and the environment.
  
  
• Properly use all applicable safety, health, environmental, and personal protective equipment and clothing.
  
  
• Avail themselves of medical surveillance, employee assistance, counseling, and other Federal programs to maintain their physical and mental health and safety in accordance with ARS policies and regulations. Supervisory approval/concurrence should be acquired except where confidentiality is guaranteed.
  
  
• Participate fully in the Agency program with freedom from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal.
  
  
• Obtain and maintain appropriate training and certification as required to work safely.

Each function (individual program) within the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program carries additional, specific responsibilities. Please refer to the individual program for details.

Supervisors will:

• To the full extent of their authority, furnish employees a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or physical harm.
  
  
• Comply with applicable OSHA occupational safety and health standards, EPA standards, DOT standards, NRC standards, CDC biological safety recommendations, national fire codes, most recent ACGIH standards, and all associated rules, regulations, and orders issued by USDA and the Agency.
  
  
• Ensure that the employees supervised receive initial and recurring specialized job safety and health training appropriate to the work performed by the employee. The training will also inform employees of the location's Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program, along with its various functions.
  
  
• Provide employees access to safety, health, and environmental-related laws, standards, regulations, codes, policies and procedures, manuals, and injury and illness statistics.
  
  
• Ensure, where there is recognized potential exposure to hazardous chemicals, materials, noise, radiation, or biological agents, that employees are provided an opportunity to participate in the medical surveillance/Occupational Health Maintenance Program (OHMP) programs.
  
  
• Ensure proper use of all applicable safety, occupational health, environmental, radiological, and biological protective equipment, devices, and clothing.
  
  
• Monitor employee performance of work to ensure that it is accomplished in a manner conducive to the health and safety of themselves, their fellow employees, and the environment.
  
  
• Ensure that an OSHA safety poster (AD-1010) informing employees of the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act is posted conspicuously in their work area.
  
  
• Monitor their work area to identify hazards; to abate any hazards found; and, if abatement is delayed, to post a notification to employees of the hazard and/or forbid/eliminate access to the hazardous area.
  
  
• Investigate, in a timely manner, any employee reports of unsafe/unhealthy working conditions, and abate any hazards within their capability to abate.
  
  
• Provide official time for employee and employee representative participation in the various safety, health, and environmental management programs, without restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal.
  
  
• Prepare an abatement plan for any hazard that cannot be corrected within 30 days.

11. BASIC EMPLOYEE RIGHTS

All Agency employees have the right to:

• Work in a safe, secure, and healthy work area.
  
  
• Decline to perform their assigned tasks because of a reasonable belief that potentially hazardous conditions exist.
  
  
• Participate in the Agency's Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program. Employees may be authorized official time to participate in activities provided by E.O. 12196, 29 CFR 1960, and the Agency's program.
  
  
• Have access to safety, health, and environmental standards, workplace injury and illness statistics, and occupational safety, health, and environmental procedures.
  
  
• Comment on alternate safety, health, and environmental standards being proposed.
  
  
• Report and request inspections of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions to the appropriate officials as discussed in 29 CFR 1960.28. If conditions are not promptly or effectively corrected, or if it appears that an employee's right to report potentially hazardous conditions is being infringed upon, the employee or designated representative may seek further resolution through the Agency Safety Manager; the Assistant Secretary for Administration; or OSHA, DOL.

12. REPRISALS

Agency employees are not subject to restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal for filing a report of an unsafe or unhealthful working condition or other participation in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program.

Acts of reprisal against Agency employees who disclose information which they reasonably believe evidences substantial and specific danger to public health and safety are prohibited personnel practices under 5 USC 2302(b)(8).

Agency employees have the right to be free from reprisal actions resulting from their participation in the Agency program activities or from their reporting of unsafe or unhealthy conditions in their work environment.

Agency employees also have the right to decline to perform their assigned task because of a reasonable belief that under the circumstances the task poses an imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm, coupled with a reasonable belief that there is insufficient time to seek effective redress through normal hazard reporting and abatement procedures.

Each location and staff office must ensure that these rights are protected.

Governing Authorities include:

• 5 USC 2302(b)(8), Prohibited Personnel Practices;
  
  
• E.O. 12196, Occupational Safety and Health Program for Federal Employees, Section 1-201(f);
  
  
• 29 CFR 1960.46, Agency Responsibility;
  
  
• Departmental Regulation 4400-1, Departmental Occupational Safety and Health Management, Sections 7b and 7c;
  
  
• Departmental Personnel Manual, Chapter 771, Subchapter 4, Agriculture Grievance System; and
  
  
• Departmental Regulation 4400-3, Safety and Health Reprisals;

Allegations of reprisal should be processed under the Agency grievance procedures process.

Areas/locations must monitor compliance with this policy through the annual safety, health, and environmental inspection process.

13. EDUCATION/TRAINING

Education and training for ARS employees in accordance with 29 CFR 1960 and E.O. 12196 must be provided for all employees with special emphasis on management and supervisory personnel, collateral duty safety and health personnel, representatives of employees, members of safety committees, and employees performing hazardous work assignments and duties.

The objectives of the Education/Training Program are to:

• improve operational efficiency through the elimination of potentially hazardous conditions associated with Agency operations;
  
  
• provide employees with safe and healthy places in which to work;
  
  
• reduce and eliminate the drain on resources created by personal injuries, illnesses, property damage, and environmental releases; and
  
  
• improve employee recognitions of unsafe acts and conditions and to develop employee awareness of the need for proper work practices.

Agency policy with regard to education/training is to comply with all education/training related to provisions of all Federal, State, and local rules, regulations, codes, etc., which impact Agency operations. Specific impacting of Federal, State, and local rules, regulations, codes, etc., are found in Section 4 (Authorities) of this Manual.

Your location, servicing Area, or Headquarters safety, health, and environmental representative should be consulted when determining which location operation requires compliance with a specific standard.

Specific program implementation procedures, as well as specific program roles and responsibilities, can be found at the FD-SHEMB Homepage.

14. INCENTIVE AWARDS PROGRAM AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES

The program provides for systematic acquisition and distribution of informational materials to stimulate employee participation in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program; establishes policy for recognizing outstanding contributions to program improvements within the Agency; and states responsibilities for safety, health, and environmental activities within the Agency.

It is the Policy of the Agency to:

• sustain a motivated and physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy workforce;
  
  
• maintain or increase productivity through the elimination or substantial reduction of accidental injuries, illnesses, property damage, and environmental releases; and
  
  
• promote active employee participation in the Agency's Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Program.

Specific program implementation procedures, as well as specific Program roles and responsibilities, can be found at the FD-SHEMB Homepage.

15. CALENDAR OF REPORTING EVENTS (CORE)

The compliance reporting requirements for each of the various programs administered within the Agency have been consolidated within CORE. Other program reports required by the Department and/or other Federal agencies are also included.

The CORE listing does not include those associated with specific activities (e.g., monitoring well installations), location- specific activities (e.g., wetlands), or those requirements specific to local and State authorities. Administrative requirements for permit notifications, test results, fees, etc., are the responsibility of the facility management to identify and acknowledge. Your servicing location, Area, or Headquarters safety, health, and environmental representative should be consulted when determining the reporting requirements for the facility.

It is the Agency's policy to complete the reporting requirements in a timely manner. All information supplied must be accurate and complete to the maximum extent possible. Copies of the submittal are to be maintained by the originating office and filed in an organized manner.

The CORE as well as specific roles and responsibilities can be found at the FD-SHEMB Homepage.

NOTE: Due dates on the CORE are tentative and subject to change based on Agency or Department requirements.