April 22, 2014

MEMORANDUM FOR:

DESIGNATED AGENCY SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICIALS

FROM:

DAVID MICHEALS, PhD, MPH

SUBJECT:

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Training Guidelines for Federal Agencies

As set forth in the Executive Order (E.O.) 12196, Occupational Safety and Health Programs For Federal Employees, the heads of federal Executive Branch agencies are responsible for implementing Section 19 ofthe Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651, 668) and operating OSH programs in accordance with 29 CFR Part 1960 (Part 1960). As part of its OSH program, each federal agency is responsible for providing appropriate training to ensure that employees have the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their OSH obligations. E.O. 12196 and Part 1960 give agency heads the flexibility necessary to implement their OSH programs in a manner consistent with their respective missions, sizes, and organizations.

E.O. 12196 also specifies that the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (F ACOSH) shall advise the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) on matters relating to the occupational safety and health of the federal workforce. In particular, FACOSH provides the Secretary with recommendations concerning the development and maintenance of effective federal agency OSH programs. In 2011, FA COSH evaluated the current OSH training requirements for federal employees. As part ofthis evaluation, FACOSH assessed current workplace safety and health training that is available to all staff levels in the federal workforce. It also collected information from federal agencies and labor organizations representing federal employees regarding the OSH training needs of the federal workforce. After analyzing the data, FA COSH submitted a series of recommendations to the Secretary for addressing the consistency of OSH training requirements throughout the Federal Government.

At the Secretary's direction and the recommendation ofFACOSH, OSHA has developed Occupational Safety and Health Training Guidelines For Federal Agencies to address the need for uniform OSH training at all staff levels of the Federal Government. These guidelines summarize the OSH training requirements set forth in the OSH Act, E.O. 12196, and Part 1960. These guidelines also state that OSHA will document and issue notices of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions to federal agencies for violations of the training requirements in Part 1960.

For your convenience, attached are the Occupational Safety and Health Training Guidelines For Federal Agencies. All departments and independent agencies, regardless of their size, should implement these guidelines. DASHOs should utilize safety and health experts from whatever source available when developing OSH training, including but not limited to other agencies, professional groups, consultations, universities, labor organizations, and safety and health committees.

We look forward to providing continued leadership, guidance, and support to help federal agencies accomplish their OSH responsibilities. If you have any questions, need additional information or assistance regarding this matter, please feel free to contact the Office of Federal Agency Programs at (202) 693-2122. We appreciate your attention to this matter.

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