READ THIS FOR YOUR SAFETY!

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (P.L. 91-596) requires each
Federal agency to establish programs to protect employees from job
related unsafe and unhealthful Working conditions. P.L. 91-596 is fully
supported by E.O. 12196 and 29 CFR 1960.

## THE VA'S RESPONSIBILITIES

The Secretary has established a VA Agencywide safety, occupational
health, and Fire protection program. The basic policy is set forth in VA
Directive 7700 and Handbook 7700.1.

1.  **THE DESIGNATED AGENCY SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICAL FOR THE VA IS:**

**[Michael W. Hager \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration (006)

The safety and health designee for your workplace is:

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(name and title)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(mail symbol)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(phone and location)

2.  **COMPLY WITH SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS** issued under the
    authority of Section 6, Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

**3. ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING** to employee reports of unsafe
or unhealthful working conditions in accordance with in VA Directive
7700 and Handbook 7700.1.

**4. INSPECT VA WORKPLACES AN- NUALLY** with participation by repre-
sentatives of employees and by the person in charge of the workplace.

5.  **POST NOTICES OF UNSAFE OR UNHEALTHFUL WORKING CON-**

**DITIONS** which have been identified during the course of inspections.
Notices will be posted for 3 workdays or until the hazard is corrected,
whichever is later.

**6. TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION TO** eliminate unsafe or unhealthful
conditions. Corrections must be made immediately in the case of imminent
danger. Employees are to be informed of corrective measures or abatement
plans.

7.  **ESTABLISH MANAGEMENT INFOR-**

**MATION SYSTEMS** to keep records of occupational accidents, injuries,
illnesses, and their causes; and to post annual summaries of injuries
and illnesses 30 days at each workplace or issue them to employees.

8.  **MAINTAIN A CURRENT PRODUCT SAFETY PROGRAM** to facilitate
    com-pliance with applicable safety and health standards.

**9. CONDUCT TRAINING PROGRAMS**

For management, supervisors, employees and their representatives on
occupational safety and health matters.

> **10. REPORT SERIOUS ACCIDENTS** involving fatalities or
> hospitalization of three or more employees to the Secretary of labor
> within 8 hours of the occurrence.
>
> **11. ACQUIRE, MAINTAIN AND RE-**
>
> **QUIRE** use of approved protective and
>
> safety equipment.

## EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY

> You must comply with the VA's occupational safety and health standards
> and with all its directives in support of the occupational safety and
> health program. This includes the use or wearing of approved
> protective devices by the VA.

#### Participation of Employees and

> **Their Representatives**
>
> Your participation in the VA's occupational safety and health program
> is essential in insuring safety and healthful working conditions. You
> have these rights:

1.  **THE RIGHT OF ACCESS** to copies of

> the VA's Occupational Safety and Health Standards and procedures, and
> injury/illness statistics.
>
> **2. THE RIGHT TO COMMENT ON VA**
>
> proposed alternate Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

3.  **THE RIGHT TO ASSIST IN INSPEC-**

> **TIONS** to assure a thorough safety and

health inspection. You are encouraged to tell inspectors about unsafe or
unhealthful conditions in the workplace.

> **4. THE RIGHT TO REPORT AND REQUEST INSPECTIONS OF UNSAFE OR
> UNHEALTHFUL WORKING CONDITIONS** by giving verbal or written notice to
> your supervisor. VA Form 2169, Request for Inspection of Workplace,
> should be used when giving written notice. This does not bar you from
> contacting VA Safety and Health Official directly if you desire
> anonymity.
>
> **5. YOUR RIGHT OF APPEAL**. If you are not satisfied with your
> supervisor's disposition of your report, your are authorized to
> contact your Network Safety Manager or Network Industrial Hygienist.
>
> Network Safety Manager
>
> (Name) (phone)
>
> (address)
>
> Network Industrial Hygienist
>
> (name) (phone)
>
> (address)
>
> You may telephone your report to the Network Safety Manager or
> Industrial Hygienist. However, you must complete VA Form 2169 and mail
> it to the Network Safety Manager or Industrial Hygienist if you desire
> a reply. Your identity will remain confidential if you so request. The
> Network Safety Manager or Industrial Hygienist will respond to you in
> writing. If you are not satisfied with the Network Safety Manager\'s
> or Industrial Hygienist\'s disposition of the report, you may contact
> in writing, the local office of Occupational Safety and Health
> Administration. If you do not know how to contact the local OSHA
> officials, write to the Office of Federal Agency Safety Program,
> Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 3rd and Constitution
> Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. You have the right to contact OSHA
> official at any time.
>
> You are authorized official time to participate in the activities
> provided by Executive Order 12196, 29 CFR 1960 and the provision of VA
> Directive 7700 and Handbook 7700.1.

#### Reprisal

> If you exercise your rights under the VA's job safety and health
> program, you are protected from any discrimination, restraint,
> interference, coercion, or reprisal. If you have reason to believe
> your rights are being violated due to your participation in the
> program, you may raise such concerns with the facility Director or
> designee for appropriate investigation and decision.

#### Evaluation and Performance

> Performance evaluations of any VA employee, regardless of position,
> shall measure the employee's performance in meeting requirements of
> the VA's Occupational Safety and Health Program, consistent with the
> employee's assigned responsibility and authority.

#### Additional Information

> This notice highlights the VA job safety and health program. If you
> want more information about the VA's program or its standards and
> procedures, the Federal Law, or any other orders or regulations,
> contact the safety and health designee for your workplace. Information
> concerning recognized labor organization participation and support of
> occupational safety and health can be obtained from your employee
> representative.
>
> **VA Form**
>
> **MAR 1999 ^2180^**

### 

### Occupational Safety and Health Protection for VA Employees

Department of Veterans Affairs