TO: All Holders of Weather Service Operations

Manual

SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual

Issuance 00-11

1. Material Transmitted:

WSOM Chapter A-45, National Weather Service Occupational Safety and Health Policy.

2. Summary:

This chapter defines the National Weather Service Occupational Safety and Health Policy. It identifies objectives and responsibilities necessary to ensure an effective Safety and Health Program. This policy complies with Executive Order 12196 (Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees), Department of Commerce Administrative Order 209-4 (Occupational Safety and Health Program), sections 6 and 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration safety rules and directives.

3. Effect on Other Instructions:

None.

John J. Kelly, Jr.

WSOM-A-45-00-11

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH POLICY

Table of Contents Page

• Safety and Health Policy 2

1.1 Purpose 2

1.2 Scope 2

1.3 Objectives 2

2. Roles and Responsibilities 3

3. References 3

Appendix

• National Weather Service (NWS) Personnel Safety

Responsibilities A-1

• Assistant Administrator for Weather Services A-1
• NWS Safety Officer A-1
• Regional/Center/Office Directors A-1

4. Safety Coordinators A-2

• Meteorologists-In-Charge (MIC), Hydrologists-In-Charge

(HIC), Officials-In-Charge (OIC) A-2

6. Safety Focal Points A-3

• NWS Employees with Assigned Safety Responsibilities A-3

• NWS Employees A-3

• Safety and Health Policy.
  
  

• Purpose. This chapter defines the National Weather

Service(NWS) Occupational Safety and Health Program. It identifies objectives and responsibilities necessary to ensure an effective Safety and Health Program. This policy complies with Executive Order 12196 (Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees), Department of Commerce (DOC) Administrative Order 209-4 (Occupational Safety and Health Program), sections 6 and 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) safety rules and directives.

1.2 Scope. This policy applies to all NWS personnel and

contractors.

1.3 Objectives.

a. Ensure a safe and healthful work environment for all

NWS employees and contractors;

b. Allocate appropriate resources to support safety and health activities including training;

c. Establish accountability and responsibility for all

activities;

d. Establish safety and health procedures;

e. Provide periodic review and evaluation of safety and health procedures to ensure compliance;

f. Prevent, to the greatest extent possible, occupational

accidents, loss of life, injury to personnel, serious illness or incapacitation, and damage to or loss of property;

g. Promote safety awareness;

h. Implement an organized and systematic approach to identify, evaluate, and correct safety and health hazards;

i. Integrate safety and health requirements in planning,

development, and operation of all programs or activities; and

j. Ensure no reprisal against personnel reporting safety

concerns.

2. Roles and Responsibilities. An effective program results from the cooperative effort of all levels of NWS management. A safe work environment requires bottoms-up involvement of employees, as well as top-down involvement of management. The appendix defines safety responsibilities.

3. References.

a. Executive Order 12196, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees, February 1980.

b. U.S. DOC Administrative Order 209-4, Occupational Safety and Health Program, November 1989.

c. Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1960, Basic Program Elements for Federal Employees, July 1995.

d. U.S. Department of Commerce, Occupational Safety and Health Manual, July 1997.

e. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-11, Preparation and Submission of Budget Estimates, July 1998.

f. NWS Engineering Handbook, EHB-15, Occupational Safety and Health.

Responsibilities

1. Assistant Administrator for Weather Services. The Assistant Administrator (AA) has overall responsibility for ensuring implementation of safety and health policy and procedures NWS-wide.

2. NWS Safety Officer. The NWS safety officer is the principal advisor to the AA on safety and health issues and is responsible for development, implementation, and administration of the NWS Safety and Health Program. The NWS safety officer shall develop and implement the NWS Safety and Health Program which, as a minimum, includes the following:

a. Establish procedures and directives outlining specific

requirements, guidelines, and personnel responsibilities for safety and health compliance;

b. Determine training requirements;

c. Plan and coordinate training courses;

d. Ensure Regional/Center/Office Directors are aware of their responsibilities;

e. Ensure the NWS Safety and Health Program is implemented and evaluated on a periodic basis;

f. Incorporate safety and health compliance requirements into operational procedures;

g. Disseminate technical information and provide technical

guidelines, lessons learned, and other assistance as appropriate; and

h. Interact with NOAA safety and health compliance personnel, as required.

3. Regional/Center/Office Directors. Regional, National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), and NWS Headquarters Office Directors have overall responsibility for implementation of NWS Safety and Health Program within their organization and shall:

a. Ensure safety and health directives and procedures are established and implemented;

• Ensure personnel understand and carry out safety and

health responsibilities; and

• Designate a safety officer and provide leadership and

support to the safety and health program.

4. Safety Officers. Regional and NCEP safety officers

shall:

a. Ensure NWS safety and health procedures (EHB-15) are implemented at regional office and NCEP-wide;

b. Develop and disseminate regional/NCEP specific directives and guidelines, as necessary;

c. Plan and coordinate training of personnel;

d. Maintain an up-to-date list of subordinate organization safety focal points;

e. Provide technical advice and assistance; and

f. Maintain and distribute DOC, NOAA, and NWS safety and health policies, procedures, and directives.

5. Meteorologists-In-Charge (MIC), Hydrologists-In-Charge (HIC), Officials-In-Charge (OIC). MICs, HICs, and OICs are responsible for day-to-day implementation of the NWS Safety and Health Program and shall:

a. Ensure facilities and operations comply with NWS safety and health procedures (EHB-15), NOAA directives and applicable Federal, state, and local requirements;

b. Ensure site-specific safety and health procedures are

developed, as necessary, and implemented;

c. Designate safety focal points and provide support;

d. Ensure employees with assigned safety roles understand and carry out their responsibilities; and

e. Ensure all site personnel are aware of safety and health requirements and are properly trained.

6. Safety Focal Points. Safety focal points shall:

a. Assist with day-to-day implementation of the NWS Safety and Health Program;

b. Assist with development implementation and maintenance of safety and health procedures;

c. Plan and coordinate the safety and health training of site personnel; and

d. Promote safety and health awareness among site personnel.

7. NWS Employees with Assigned Safety Responsibilities. NWS employees with assigned safety and health responsibilities will have a statement included in their personal performance plans addressing these responsibilities.

8. NWS Employees. All NWS employees shall comply with NWS

safety and health policy and procedures and report safety and health hazards to their immediate supervisor and/or designated safety focal point.