United States Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Agricultural Marketing Service

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Directive MRP 4790.1 11/15/2013

MARKETING AND REGULATORY PROGRAMS (MRP) 

SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM

1. PURPOSE

 

a. This Directive provides the Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) policy

for administering a comprehensive safety, health, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, 

workers’ compensation, biosafety, drug-free workplace, and environmental 

program for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and MRP

employees where APHIS provides safety, health, workers’ compensation, drugfree workplace, or environmental protection services. 

b. This Directive establishes the Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business 

Services (MRPBS), Emergency Management, Safety, and Security Division 

(EMSSD), Safety, Health, and Environmental Protection Branch (SHEPB), as the 

overall authority for all safety and health issues within APHIS and MRP agencies 

serviced by APHIS. 

2. SCOPE

This Directive applies to all MRP operations and activities serviced by APHIS. It 

specifically addresses the safety and health of APHIS employees and includes workers’ 

compensation and random drug testing for Agricultural Marketing Service employees.

MRP does not have the authority to enforce safety and health matters for employees of 

private facilities where MRP employees work. MRP employees will never be subjected 

to, or required to work in or around, conditions which are considered to be dangerous to 

life or health. MRP will not discipline or otherwise retaliate against employees for 

reporting injuries, illnesses, or unsafe conditions.

3. POLICY

a. It is MRP policy to develop and implement a comprehensive safety and health 

program that identifies and strives to:

(1) Eliminate employee exposure to existing and potentially hazardous 

working conditions and/or situations;

Distribution: AMS, APHIS Originating Office: EMSSD-SHEPB
(2) Minimize losses incurred by the agency, its employees, and the general 

public as a result of work-related injuries, illnesses, and property damage; 

and

(3) Assist employees in receiving workers’ compensation benefits to which 

they are entitled under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act. 

b. The APHIS Program Managers, EMSSD, SHEPB, serve as the technical experts 

and program leads for the safety and health, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, 

workers’ compensation, biosafety, drug-free workplace, and environmental 

protection programs for APHIS and any MRP agency serviced by APHIS.

c. Managers and supervisors are ultimately responsible for implementing the 

requirements of the safety and health program and to ensure safe working 

conditions for their employees. 

d. Agency heads also may delegate the level of supervision that will have the 

authority to carry out the responsibilities of this Directive.

e. Programs wishing to deviate from the established policies may do so with written 

approval from the Administrator. Prior to implementation of any deviations, a 

copy of the new policy must be forwarded to the APHIS Designated Agency 

Safety and Health Official (DASHO) for review to ensure proper application of 

prevailing Federal statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.

f. Before changes in existing policy can be implemented for employees in 

recognized bargaining units, agencies must satisfy their bargaining obligations.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES

a. The APHIS Administrator:

(1) Has overall responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of 

effective safety and health programs.

(2) Provides effective leadership in support of safety and health programs,

including sufficient resources for educational and training initiatives. 

(3) Designates, in writing, to the Director, USDA Office of Human Resources 

Management (OHRM), a drug-free workplace program that is established 

and implemented within APHIS and any MRP agency serviced by APHIS.

(4) Designates the APHIS DASHO, an official with sufficient authority and 

responsibility to represent effectively the interest and support of the 

Administrator in the management and administration of the APHIS safety 

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and health program. The DASHO will have sufficient headquarters staff 

with the necessary training and experience. The headquarters staff has

appropriate access to the DASHO to carry out their responsibilities.

b. The APHIS DASHO: 

(1) Develops and monitors a comprehensive occupational safety and health 

program to ensure that all APHIS employees work in a safe environment. 

(2) Provides executive leadership in the development, promulgation, and 

implementation of occupational safety and health policies and procedures.

(3) Ensures that adequate staff and resources are available to implement the 

MRP safety and health programs at all operational levels consistent with 

agency priorities.

(4) Exercises final authority in all safety and health matters that involve the 

jurisdiction of more than one program.

c. Deputy Administrators:

(1) Designate program collateral duty safety officers, in writing, and provide 

them with appropriate training and equipment to assist in implementing 

and monitoring the safety and health programs within their program 

(including regional offices, field offices, and laboratories). A copy of the 

letter of designation is forwarded to the DASHO and APHIS Safety and 

Health Program Manager.

(2) Ensure that their programs’ work environments are free from or protected 

against recognized hazards that may cause death or serious physical harm.

(3) Ensure that their program adheres to and complies with all applicable 

safety and health policies, procedures, and programs.

(4) Ensure that safety and health responsibilities and workers’ compensation 

responsibilities (consistent with employees’ assigned responsibilities and 

authorities) are integrated within the performance standards of all 

managers, supervisors, and program collateral duty safety officers.

(5) Ensure that safety is considered in job planning and execution.

(6) Ensure that safety and health complaints made by program employees are 

promptly investigated by a management official.

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(7) Ensure that their programs’ safety and health responsibilities are being 

addressed in their annual budget.

(8) Ensure that supervisory training and employee education on drug testing 

and illegal drug usage is delivered within their program units or divisions.

(9) Ensure that effective Organizational Environmental Management Systems 

(EMS) are developed and implemented where indicated.

(10) Initiate action to ensure all hazardous chemical, bio-hazardous and 

radioactive materials, and waste are secured, inventoried, and otherwise 

appropriately safeguarded.

d. Associate Deputy Administrators:

(1) Provide direct assistance to their Deputy Administrator in ensuring 

implementation of, and compliance with, the policies, procedures, and 

requirements of the safety and health programs.

(2) Ensure that all managers and supervisors assigned to their supervision are 

implementing the responsibilities of the MRP safety and health programs,

as applicable.

e. The APHIS Safety, Health, Industrial Hygiene, Ergonomics, Workers’ 

Compensation, Biosafety, Drug-Free Workplace and Environmental Protection 

Program Managers:

(1) Develop, implement, manage, evaluate, and monitor applicable standards, 

programs, and policies as required by Federal statutes, regulations, and 

Executive Orders.

(2) Establish APHIS-wide procedures for audits, inspections, investigations, 

evaluations, and illness/injury claims submissions for APHIS programs at 

all organizational levels.

(3) Create program policy, guidance, and standard operating procedures.

(4) Facilitate and deliver program-related training to agency employees based 

on the needs of the agency and its employees. Training is in accordance 

with all applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.

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f. Supervisors:

(1) To the full extent of their authority, furnish employees with a place 

of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are likely 

to cause physical harm.

(2) Read and become thoroughly familiar with all applicable laws, 

regulations, policies, and the Safety and Health Manual.

(3) Ensure that employees receive initial and recurring specialized job 

training (e.g., environmental, safety, or security) appropriate to the 

work they are required to perform. Refresher training will be 

conducted on required schedules and whenever job assignments 

change, operational procedures change, or employees are not 

following correct procedures.

(4) Provide employees time to participate in MRP safety and health 

initiatives, including training initiatives, without restraint, interference, 

coercion, discrimination, or reprisal.

(5) Assist management in operating an effective safety and occupational 

health program.

(6) Report, investigate, and document all job-related accidents, injuries, and 

illnesses.

(7) Brief all employees on safety and health policies and procedures 

applicable to the worksite, and enforce such policies.

(8) Implement procedures to assist any disabled employees in case of 

emergency evacuation of the facility.

(9) Enforce all safety and health rules as they affect MRP employees.

(10) Ensure that proper personal protective equipment is available, that 

employees are trained in its proper use, that it is maintained in good 

working order, and that it is used when necessary.

(11) Encourage and promote employee suggestions on how to improve safety 

and health in the workplace, and take appropriate action on employee 

suggestions.

(12) Order work stoppages when serious and/or imminent danger safety 

hazards threaten employees.

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(13) Implement safety training after a safety violation or accident has occurred.

(14) Promote a culture and awareness for the work unit.

(15) Ensure that new applicants in applicable drug testing job series have 

testing conducted as soon as a position is offered with the agency.

(16) Initiate procedures for reasonable suspicion or post-accident drug testing.

g. Employees:

(1) Ensure safe and healthful workplaces to the extent and scope of their 

authority. Employees are encouraged to make suggestions for improving 

health and safety, as appropriate.

(2) Comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local statutes and 

regulations and with Agency/Departmental standards, rules, regulations, 

programs, and orders. Employees will read and comply with all safety 

and health policies issued by MRP and their supervisors.

(3) Report all accidents, illnesses, and environmental releases to the 

appropriate authority in a proper and timely manner; prepare the 

appropriate forms accurately; and notify supervisors and managers as to 

the causes and corrective actions recommended, which may include 

training.

(4) Properly use and maintain all applicable safety, environmental, and 

personal protective equipment and clothing.

(5) Report early signs and symptoms of any potentially job-related

illnesses.

(6) Participate in all required MRP initiatives and training.

(7) Submit to drug testing, as required.

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5. INQUIRIES

a. Direct inquiries about this Directive to the APHIS, EMSSD, SHEPB.

b. This Directive is available on the MRPBS homepage at: 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/directives/pdf/MRP4790_1.pdf

/s/

Kevin Shea

Administrator

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