##### [[Procedures to Follow if you Identify an]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}

**[Unsafe/Unhealthful Working Condition]{.smallcaps}**

[VA employees are encouraged to immediately report any situation they
believe creates an unsafe or unhealthful working condition. Reports may
be submitted by telephone, in person, or preferably in writing.
Reprisals against employees for reporting unsafe or unhealthful working
conditions are prohibited under regulatory and administrative procedures
and may result in disciplinary action.]{.underline}

[Please follow the steps listed below when reporting actual or potential
safety or health problems: ]{.underline}

**[Step 1.]{.underline}**[ Report your unsafe/unhealthful working
condition to your facility's management:]{.underline}

[a. Notify your ]{.underline}**[supervisor ]{.underline}**[of the
nature, location, and your assessment of the potential harm of the
unsafe or unhealthful working condition. If the condition presents an
imminent danger to persons in the vicinity of the hazard (severe harm
would occur unless action is taken immediately), contact your nearest
management official for assistance. When time permits, you are
encouraged to work through your facility safety and occupational health
committee.]{.underline}

[b. If you do not wish to discuss the unsafe or unhealthful working
condition with your supervisor, or are unsatisfied with the timeliness
or action of your supervisor, bring your concerns to the attention of
your ]{.underline}**[facility safety and occupational health officer,
facility management official, or union representative.]{.underline}**[
The facility occupational safety and health designee is identified on
the Occupational Safety and Health Poster (]{.underline}**[VA Form
2180]{.underline}**[) posted at your facility. You should clearly advise
these representatives if it is your wish to remain anonymous.
]{.underline}

**[Step 2.]{.underline}**[ If you are unsatisfied with the timeliness or
response of your facility management team, you are encouraged to contact
the official responsible for occupational safety and health program
management at the next higher organizational level identified on
]{.underline}**[VA Form 2180]{.underline}**[.]{.underline}

**[Step 3.]{.underline}**[ If you are unsatisfied with the timeliness or
response of this official, or believe a review by a program official at
a higher level is necessary, you are encouraged to contact your agency's
]{.underline}**[Headquarters]{.underline}[']{.underline}[ safety and
health program office]{.underline}**[. A list of these organizations is
provided below:]{.underline}

**[a.]{.underline}[ ]{.underline}[VHA]{.underline}**[ - Plant Technology
and Safety Management (10NB) at (202) 273-5844.]{.underline}

**[b.]{.underline}[ ]{.underline}[VBA]{.underline}**[ - Office of
Facilities (201F) at (202) 273-7122.]{.underline}

**[c.]{.underline}[ ]{.underline}[NCA]{.underline}**[ - Field Programs
Service (401A1) at (202) 273-5232. ]{.underline}

**[1]{.underline}**

**[Step 4.]{.underline}**[ If you are unsatisfied with your agency
Headquarters' official's response, or believe a review outside your
agency is necessary, you are encouraged to call or write to the staff of
VA's ]{.underline}**[Designated Agency Safety and Health Official
(DASHO)]{.underline}**[. Their mailing address is Office of Occupational
Safety and Health (00S1), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420,
and can be contacted at (202) 273-9745. The attached on-line complaint
form at () and () may be used to expedite your concerns or to bring
unsafe or unhealthful working conditions immediately to the attention of
the DASHO staff. ]{.underline}**[Note:]{.underline}**[ Although
electronic forms may be traced, it is the policy of the DASHO office not
to seek to identify employees submitting reports of unsafe or
unhealthful working conditions.]{.underline}

**[Step 5.]{.underline}**[ If you are unsatisfied with the DASHO
response, or believe a review outside VA is necessary, you may contact
the nearest ]{.underline}**[Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)]{.underline}**[ office. An organizational contact
list is available on the OSHA web site at
(<http://www.osha-slc.gov/html/RAmap.html>). ]{.underline}

**[Note:]{.underline}**[ Reprisal against employees exercising their
rights under the OSH program or seeking to identify employees who wish
to remain anonymous may result in disciplinary action. Employees who
believe their rights have been violated may request assistance under
negotiated or administrative grievance procedures.]{.underline}

**[2]{.underline}**