Lew

Wi

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration

November 2016
Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................... ii

TAB 1: AGENCY ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW .......................................................................... 1

Mission........................................................................................................................................ 1

Authorizing Legislation .............................................................................................................. 1

Organizational Structure ............................................................................................................. 1

Organizational Changes.............................................................................................................. 4

Key Leaders................................................................................................................................ 5

TAB 2: 30/60/90 DAYS – STATE OF PLAY...................................................................................... 6

Key Meetings, Decisions and Announcements .......................................................................... 6

Key Agency Stakeholders........................................................................................................... 7

TAB 3: INITIATIVES ..................................................................................................................... 10

Policy and Regulatory Issues.................................................................................................... 10

Major Grants and Contracts...................................................................................................... 11

Enforcement.............................................................................................................................. 11

Management.............................................................................................................................. 13

Calendar.................................................................................................................................... 15

TAB 4: BUDGET ........................................................................................................................... 16

TAB 5: AGENCY PERFORMANCE................................................................................................. 19
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

1

TAB 1: AGENCY ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Mission

OSHA’s mission is to assure employers are providing safe and healthful working conditions for 

their employees by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, 

education and assistance. OSHA also is responsible for administering 22 whistleblower laws and 

protecting the rights of workers to identify and report problems in the workplace without fear of 

retaliation.

Authorizing Legislation

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established by the 

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-596). 

Organizational Structure

OSHA has 2,176 authorized FTE that make up the agency’s 9 National Directorates and Offices 

and 10 Regional Offices. The Directorates of Administrative Programs, Construction, 

Cooperative and State Programs, Enforcement Programs, Standards and Guidance, Technical 

Support and Emergency Management and Whistleblower Protection Programs and the Office of 

Communications are located in Washington, DC. The Directorate of Training and Education is 

located in Arlington Heights, IL. The Regional Offices are located in Boston, MA; New York, 

NY; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Kansas City, KS; Denver, CO; San 

Francisco, CA; and Seattle, WA. 
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

2

Organizational Chart

Assistant Secretary for 

Occupational Safety and Health

David Michaels

(PA) Chief of Staff

Kirk Sander

(Non-Career)

Deputy Assistant 

Secretary

Jordan Barab 

(Non-Career SES)

Deputy Assistant 

Secretary

Dorothy Dougherty

(Career SES)

Office of Communications

Francis Meilinger

Region I

Boston

Vacant

Region V

Chicago

Ken Atha

(Career SES)

Region IX

San Francisco

Barbara Goto

(Career SES)

Region II

New York

Robert Kulick

(Career SES)

Region VI

Dallas

Kelly Knighton

(Career SES) 

Region X

Seattle

Vacant

Region III

Philadelphia

Richard Mendelson

(Career SES)

Region VII

Kansas City

Kimberly Stille

(Career SES)

Directorate of 

Enforcement Programs

Thomas Galassi

(Career SES)

Region IV

Atlanta

Kurt Petermeyer

(Career SES)

Region VIII

Denver

Gregory Baxter

(Career SES)

Directorate of Training 

and Education

Nick Walters

(Career SES)

Directorate of 

Construction

Dean McKenzie

(Career SES)

Directorate of 

Administrative Programs

Kimberly Locey

(Career SES)

Directorate of 

Standards and 

Guidance

Bill Perry

(Career SES)

Directorate of Cooperative 

and State Programs

Douglas Kalinowski

(Career SES)

Directorate of Technical 

Support and Emergency 

Management

Amanda Edens

(Career SES)

Directorate of 

Whistleblower Protection 

Programs

MaryAnn Garrahan

(Career SES)
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

3

Workforce At-A-Glance
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

4

Organizational Changes 

Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs

OSHA established the Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs (DWPP) in 2012. Prior 

to the creation of DWPP, the Directorate of Enforcement housed the Office of Whistleblower 

Protection Programs (OWPP), which had been delegated responsibility for enforcing a growing 

number of whistleblower laws covering areas as diverse as workplace safety, the environment, 

consumer products, nuclear safety, the financial system, food safety, and transportation 

infrastructure. 

In 2009 and again in 2010, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) audited OWPP on its 

program performance. The GAO found significant problems with OSHA's transparency and 

accountability, training for investigators and managers, and the internal communication and audit 

program. 

To identify the best ways to address these issues, and to pinpoint additional problems with the 

program, OSHA conducted an internal “Top to Bottom" review of the program that examined 

national and regional program structure, operational procedures, investigative processes, budget, 

equipment, and personnel issues. The review confirmed many of the GAO's conclusions, 

identified additional administrative and organization problems, and made a number of 

recommendations. 

Based on these reviews and findings, OSHA established DWPP as a separate directorate that 

reported to the Office of Assistant Secretary. Commencing with its Fiscal Year 2012 budget, 

OSHA established a separate line item for the whistleblower program to better track and hold 

accountable its activities and accomplishments. 

Directorate of Information Technology

In support of the Department’s Information Technology (IT) modernization efforts, the OSHA 

Directorate of Information Technology (DIT) functions related to IT infrastructure – which 

included customer service, architecture standards, system security, IT contracting, and enterprise 

operations – were transferred from OSHA to the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) 

within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM), on 

May 13, 2012. DIT staff members who supported these functions were also transferred to OCIO. 

As a result of this transfer of functions, the remaining OSHA IT activities and functions were 

placed within the Directorate of Administrative Programs (DAP), eliminating DIT from OSHA’s 

organizational structure. As part of the IT consolidation, OSHA retained 20 staff members and 

established a new Office of Information Technology Solutions (OITS) within DAP, which 

focuses on agency-specific applications, including OSHA IT systems, OSHA web management 

services, and the development of enterprise IT policies and procedures to ensure that resources 

are aligned with OSHA’s mission and priorities. OITS provides OSHA quality IT business 

solutions, shapes technology policy, ensures information integrity and business continuity, and 

manages technology-related initiatives that align with OSHA’s business needs.
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

5

Key Leaders 

Office of the Assistant Secretary

David Michaels, PhD, MPH - Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health 

Jordan Barab - Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health (noncareer) 

Dorothy Dougherty - Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health

(career)

Kirk Sander - Chief of Staff, Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

National Directorates/Offices

Kimberly Locey – Directorate of Administrative Programs

Dean McKenzie – Directorate of Construction

Douglas Kalinowski – Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs

Thomas Galassi – Directorate of Enforcement Programs

Bill Perry – Directorate of Standards and Guidance

Amanda Edens – Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management

Nick Walters – Directorate of Training and Education

MaryAnn Garrahan – Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs

Frank Meilinger – Office of Communications

Regional Offices

Jeffrey Erskine (Acting) – Region 1, Boston

Robert Kulick – Region 2, New York

Richard Mendelson – Region 3, Philadelphia

Kurt Petermeyer – Region 4, Atlanta

Ken Atha – Region 5, Chicago

Kelly Knighton – Region 6, Dallas

Kimberly Stille – Region 7, Kansas City

Gregory Baxter – Region 8, Denver

Barbara Goto – Region 9, San Francisco

Galen Blanton (Acting) – Region 10, Seattle 
TAB 2: 30/60/90 Days – State of Play

6

TAB 2: 30/60/90 DAYS – STATE OF PLAY

Key Meetings, Decisions and Announcements

By end of February 2017

• Solicitation for nominations to the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety 

and Health published in the Federal Register – January 2017 

• The Secretary of Labor may need to approve charters for new Field Federal Safety and 

Health Councils (FFSHCs), which are cooperative interagency organizations that facilitate 

the exchange of ideas and information about Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the 

federal government.

• The Secretary may need to approve the “Secretary of Labor’s Report to the President on 

Federal Departments and Agencies Occupational Safety and Health Activities.”

By end of March 2017

• Announce Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the FY 2017 Susan Harwood 

Grant Program – March 2017

• The Secretary of Labor may need to approve new members to the Federal Advisory Council 

on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH), a Presidential advisory body established to 

advise the Secretary of Labor on all matters relating to the occupational safety and health of 

federal employees. 

• Implementation of the updated PSM-Covered Chemical Plant National Emphasis Program

By end of April 2017

• Worker Memorial Day – April 28, 2017
TAB 2: 30/60/90 Days – State of Play

7

Key Agency Stakeholders

Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health

The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, (ACCSH) is a continuing advisory 

body established by statute that provides advice and assistance in construction standards and policy 

matters to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.

American Industrial Hygiene Association

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is a nonprofit organization devoted to 

achieving and maintaining the highest professional standards for its members. More than half of the 

nearly 10,000 members are certified industrial hygienists (CIHs), and many hold other professional 

designations. AIHA administers comprehensive education programs that keep occupational and 

environmental health and safety professionals current in the field of industrial hygiene.

American Public Health Association

The American Public Health Association (APHA) works to strengthen the public health profession 

and address public health issues and policies backed by science. 

American Society of Safety Engineers

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) promotes the expertise, leadership and 

commitment of its members, while providing them with professional development, advocacy and 

standards development. It also sets the occupational safety, health and environmental community’s 

standards for excellence and ethics.

Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health

The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) is a Presidential 

advisory body to the Secretary of Labor. The Advisory Council is authorized by 5 U.S.C. 7902, 

section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 668), and 

Executive Order 11612, as amended, to advise the Secretary of Labor on all matters relating to the 

occupational safety and health of federal employees.

Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health

The Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) is a 

discretionary committee established on February 8, 1995 and is authorized by Section 7(b) of the 

OSH Act to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Secretary of Labor through the 

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on matters relating to the maritime 

industry.
TAB 2: 30/60/90 Days – State of Play

8

Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association

Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association (OSHSPA) is an organization of 28 states 

and territories that have OSHA-approved state plans. OSHSPA representatives meet three times a 

year to exchange information and address shared concerns. OSHSPA representatives also appear 

before congressional committees and other hearings to report on workplace safety and health 

matters.

National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health

The National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health, (NACOSH) was established 

under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to advise the secretaries of labor and health 

and human services on occupational safety and health programs and policies. Members of the 12-

person advisory committee are chosen on the basis of their knowledge and experience in 

occupational safety and health. 

National Association of Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Programs (OSHCON)

The mission of the National Association of Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Programs 

(OSHCON) is to “provide a united voice to address issues and challenges that face OSHA 

consultation programs nationwide.” The goals and objectives of OSHCON are:

• To enhance the ability of State safety and health consultant to provide quality services to 

employers.

• To foster cooperation and consistency among State consultation programs.

• To assure that the unique needs of small businesses are considered in all legislation and 

regulations that address worker safety and health.

• To provide a forum for the exchange of information concerning occupational safety and 

health consultation.

National Council for Occupational Safety and Health

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH) is a federation of local and 

statewide "COSH" groups--Committees/Coalitions on Occupational Safety and Health. COSH 

groups are private, non-profit coalitions of labor unions, health and technical professionals, and 

others interested in promoting and advocating for worker health and safety. 

National Safety Council

The National Safety Council (NSC) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes 

and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

Voluntary Protection Program Participants Association, Inc. (VPPPA)

The VPPPA comprises a global community of dedicated safety and health professionals 

empowering occupational safety culture across more than 50 industries. VPPPA, The Premier 

Global Safety and Health Organization, is the leading organization committed to occupational 
TAB 2: 30/60/90 Days – State of Play

9

safety, health and environmental management systems and has created a complex network of 

cooperation between companies, OSHA, state OSHA leaders, members of congress, the 

Department of Defence and Department of Energy.

Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee

The Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee (WPAC) was established to advise, consult 

with, and make recommendations to the Secretary of Labor and the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 

Occupational Safety and Health on ways to improve the fairness, efficiency, effectiveness, and 

transparency of OSHA's administration of whistleblower protections. 
TAB 3: Initiatives

10

TAB 3: INITIATIVES

Policy and Regulatory Issues 

Increase in Maximum Penalties

In November 2015, Congress enacted legislation requiring federal agencies to adjust their civil 

penalties to account for inflation. The Department of Labor has adjusted penalties for its agencies, 

including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

The new penalties took effect August 2, 2016. Any citations issued by OSHA on or after this date 

were subject to the new penalties if the related violations occurred after November 2, 2015. State 

Plans must adopt the revised penalty maximums but some have expressed concern over legislative 

or political delays. 

Voluntary Protection Programs

The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) recognize employers and workers in the private industry 

and federal agencies who have implemented effective safety and health management systems and 

maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their 

respective industries.

In May 2016, OSHA responded to Congressional inquiries regarding the VPP. OSHA prepared a 

business case that provided an overview of the VPP, how recent budgetary issues have impacted the 

VPP, and how OSHA plans to address some of the negative impact on the program for the 

future. OSHA also highlighted recent policy enhancements including agency efforts to strengthen

the Special Government Employee (SGE) program; a new policy for increased oversight of how a 

VPP participant is evaluated subsequent to employee fatalities/serious injuries; and a plan for a 

useful and more efficient data collection system for the VPP.

Regulatory Action

OSHA’s new recordkeeping rule, which takes effect January 1, 2017, requires certain employers to 

electronically submit injury and illness data that they are already required to record on their onsite 

OSHA Injury and Illness forms on an annual basis. Analysis of these data will enable OSHA to use 

its enforcement and compliance assistance resources more efficiently. The amount of data 

submitted will vary depending on the size of company and type of industry. Compliance will be 

phased in over two years. For employers covered by the rule and of certain sizes (i.e., 

establishments with 250 or more employees and establishments with 20-249 employees) will be 

required to submit summary data (OSHA Log 300A) by July 17, 2017. Establishments covered by 

the rule with 250 or more employees will be required to submit all required OSHA forms (300A, 

300, and 301) by July 17, 2018. In subsequent years the annual data will be due by March 2.

The rule also prohibits employers from discouraging workers from reporting an injury or illness. 

The final rule requires employers to inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries 

and illnesses free from retaliation; clarifies the existing implicit requirement that an employer’s 
TAB 3: Initiatives

11

procedure for reporting work-related injuries and illnesses must be reasonable and not deter or 

discourage employees from reporting; and incorporates the existing statutory prohibition on 

retaliating against employees for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses. These provisions 

become effective August 10, 2016, but OSHA has delayed their enforcement until December 1, 

2016 in order to provide outreach to the regulated community.

Major Grants and Contracts

Grants

State Programs - Twenty-one states and Puerto Rico run their own safety and health programs and 

5 states and the Virgin Islands run public employee programs. Section 23(g) of the OSH Act 

authorizes OSHA to award matching grants of up to 50 percent of the total operational costs to 

those States that meet the OSH Act’s criteria for establishing and implementing programs for 

standards and enforcement that are at least as effective as Federal OSHA’s program. State Plan 

states conduct enforcement and regulatory activities and administer their 11(c) whistleblower 

protection programs, as well as provide a range of outreach, compliance assistance, and cooperative 

programs; and extensive training programs for workers and small businesses. OSHA’s State Plans 

are responsible for workplace safety and health for 40 percent of U.S. workers. In FY 2016, OSHA 

received $100,850,000 for State Programs. The funds are awarded at the beginning of the fiscal 

year. 

On-site Consultation Program – Section 21(d) of the OSHA Act authorizes OSHA to award 

matching cooperative agreements of up to 90 percent of the total operational costs to Consultation 

Projects. OSHA’s On-site Consultation Program is the agency’s premier small- and medium-sized 

business safety and health assistance program. Small- and medium-sized businesses often cannot 

afford to hire in-house safety and health expertise or outside consultants. This activity supports the 

provision of free and confidential workplace safety and health advice in all states across the

country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. In FY 2016, OSHA received $57,775,000 for 

the On-site Consultation Program. The funds are awarded at the beginning of the fiscal year. 

Susan Harwood Training Grants – This program provides targeted and capacity-building grant 

awards to non-profit organizations to provide direct and train-the-trainer training and education to 

workers on safety and health hazards in the workplace, and their rights under the law. In FY 2016, 

OSHA received $10,537,000 for the Susan Harwood Training Grants. The funds are awarded in 

September of each fiscal year. 

Enforcement 

OSHA’s enforcement activities reflect the authority vested in OSHA by Congress to enforce 

Federal workplace standards under the OSH Act. Compliance with the OSH Act is obtained, in part, 

by the physical inspection of worksites and facilities, along with appropriate penalties and 

abatement orders, and by encouraging cooperation between employers and employees to secure safe 

and healthy workplaces. 
TAB 3: Initiatives

12

OSHA uses its enforcement activities to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. A 2012 

study published in the prestigious journal Science entitled “Randomized Government Safety 

Inspections Reduce Worker Injuries with no Detectable Job Loss,” found that enforcement 

inspections result in safer workplaces and provide employers significant savings through reduced 

workers’ compensation costs. 

The following are OSHA’s key enforcement initiatives:

National Emphasis Programs (NEPs). OSHA NEPs target high-hazard industries, hazards that 

may lead to severe illnesses and hazards that may lead to severe injuries. NEPs allow the agency to 

target particular problems and respond quickly to emerging hazards. Active NEPs include:

• NEP on Amputations

• NEP on Hexavalent Chromium

• NEP on Lead

• NEP on Primary Metals Industries

• NEP on PSM Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program

• NEP on Shipbreaking

• NEP on Combustible Dust

• NEP on Crystalline Silica

• Special Emphasis Program on Trenching & Excavation

The Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP). Through SVEP, OSHA concentrates 

resources on inspecting employers who have demonstrated indifference to their OSH Act 

obligations by committing willful, repeated, or failure-to-abate violations. Enforcement actions for 

severe violator cases include mandatory follow-up inspections, increased company/corporate 

awareness of OSHA enforcement, corporate-wide agreements (where appropriate), enhanced 

settlement provisions, and federal court enforcement under Section 11(b) of the OSH Act. Currently 

(as of July 28, 2016), there are 538 active SVEP cases. Of these cases, 136 (25%) are fatalities, 

while 38 (7%) are egregious (five of the egregious cases were fatalities). A total of 365 of the 538 

SVEP cases (68%) are non-fatality/catastrophe related to a high-emphasis hazard, and four of the 

538 SVEP cases (1%) are non-fatality/catastrophe for hazards due to the potential release of a 

highly hazardous chemical (Process Safety Management).

Audits

The OIG has four open audits of OSHA programs. They are the following: 

• OSHA Rulemaking Process (February 2016) – Objective: Does OSHA properly use 

guidance documents to inform the public and provide direction to staff as a supplement to 

existing OSH Act standards and requirements?

• Abatement Verification Process (October 2015) – Objective: Did OSHA ensure that 

abatement of safety or health violations cited during inspections was adequate and timely?

• Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) in Region III (May 2014) – Objective: Has 

OSHA implemented effective processes within VPP to timely follow up on worker fatalities 

and catastrophes experienced by participants?
TAB 3: Initiatives

13

• OIG Audit of OSHA Emphasis Programs (NEPs/REPs/LEPs) (September 2013) –

Objective: Can OSHA demonstrate whether SEPs are effective in improving safety and 

health conditions for workers in high-hazard industries and occupations? 

The OIG closed one audit in the last three years:

• OSHA Needs to Continue to Strengthen Its Whistleblower Protection Programs, September 

30, 2015.

Management 

IT Challenges and Successes

OSHA’s Public Website

The OSHA public website is the most effective way OSHA reaches its many and varied 

stakeholders. The website receives over two million unique visitors and 12 million page views 

monthly, providing access to thousands of pages of information, including agency standards, 

training materials, and information on compliance assistance and workplace hazards. OSHA’s 

stakeholders use the website each month to report workplace fatalities and injuries, file retaliation 

complaints, seek free consultation services to improve workplace safety, submit hundreds of 

questions to OSHA experts, and order thousands of publications to provide training, education, and 

awareness. Also, the public web site provides access to data on more than 3.3 million agency 

inspections and 10.2 million penalties. One of OSHA’s web-based forms, the online complaint 

form, allows employees to inform OSHA about hazards within their workplace. The Serious Event 

Reporting online form allows employers to inform OSHA of events that result in fatalities, 

amputations, or hospitalizations. OSHA receives complaints through publicly available 

applications, which are essential for OSHA to initiate an investigation, identify the hazards present 

at workplaces, and to ensure that the hazards are eliminated. In recent years, however, OSHA.gov 

has experienced severe performance issues. Efforts to stabilize the system and improve performance 

and reliability have been marginally successful. Further improvements require replacement of 

OSHA’s dated content management system (CMS) underlying OSHA’s public-facing websites 

(OSHA.gov, USEUOSH.org and whistleblower.gov) with Drupal, a flexible and scalable 

application that includes a content management platform and a development framework. Given 

these needs, OSHA is working with Benefits.gov and its team in OASAM to modernize and 

enhance OSHA’s public websites and applications. Using Benefits.gov allows OSHA the 

advantage of using Drupal code, modules, and themes that have already been developed.

OSHA Information System

The OSHA Information System (OIS) is OSHA’s main repository of Federal information for

occupational safety and health. OIS contains information derived from inspections of work sites

under the Federal OSHA program, from 24 state programs, and State consultation program 

information. OIS currently includesEnforcement,Consultation, HealthSampling,and

Establishmentsmodules. The OIS staff is beginning to develop a new module that will contain the 

agency’s whistleblower data.
TAB 3: Initiatives

14

Personnel and Engagement

OSHA is committed to building a culture that embraces diversity and employee engagement by 

creating opportunities for input, development and organizational transparency. OSHA’s 2016 

Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) results reflect the highest positive response rates and 

biggest increases that OSHA has had since the Agency started tracking results in 2012. The 

agency’s scores increased over the results in 2015 in 76 of 77 survey questions. Of those 

questions, 36 items were identified as strengths (65% positive or higher). OSHA’s results were 

also higher than the government-wide results for the four areas of Agency focus: Leadership, 

Training, Innovation, and Performance Review. 

The agency has completed its first year of the Administrative Development Program, which 

provided mentoring and training to administrative staff interested in career advancement. The 

agency is in the midst of its first Executive Development Program, which prepares higher-level 

managers for Senior Executive Service. Finally, OSHA expects to launch a curriculum for New 

Supervisor Training in the next year. The Office of Human Resources has established an 

Employee Engagement Coordinator position, which will work in concert with the Directorate of 

Training and Education on developing employee engagement initiatives across the national and 

regional offices. Also, the new employee orientation program is being revamped to ensure the 

employment relationship starts out on the right foot.
TAB 3: Initiatives

15

Calendar

Advisory Committee Meetings

• Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health – meets twice a year

• Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health - meets twice a year

• National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health – meets twice a year

• Maritime Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health – meets twice a year

• Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee – meets twice a year

Susan Harwood Training Grants – awarded annually in September

Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association (OSHSPA) – meets three times a year

OSHSPA Board – meets three times a year

Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Conference (OSHCON) – meets once a year

Joint Federal Steering Committee/OSHCON Board – meets twice a year
TAB 4: Budget

16

TAB 4: BUDGET

BUDGET AUTHORITY AND FTE SUMMARY

(Dollars in millions)

FY 2013

Enacted

FY 2014

Enacted

FY 2015

Enacted

FY 2016

Enacted

FY 2017

Request

Budget Authority $535.2 $552.2 $552.8 $552.8 $595.0

FTE 2,226 2,166 2,132 2,045 2,276

At-A-Glance

• OSHA is funded through an annual appropriation with approximately $100.0 million 

required to be made available for State grants. OSHA consists of ten budget activities. 

Budget and FTE Trends

• OSHA received an increase of $45.6 million in FY 2010 to increase its appropriation to 

$558.6 million. Funding was flat in FY 2011, and OSHA received a $6.2 million increase in 

FY 2012 before being reduced by $29.6 million by sequestration in FY 2013. OSHA did 

not receive a full restoration of sequestered funding in FY 2014, and funding remained flat 

in FY 2015 and FY 2016.

• OSHA’s FTE usage increased in FY 2010 and FY 2011, as the agency had received a 

funding increase for additional enforcement and standards staff in FY 2010. FTE usage has 

declined each year since FY 2011, when OSHA used 2,273 FTE, as the agency has been 

unable to hire enough staff to keep up with attrition. In recent years, OSHA has been forced 

to reduce FTE along with implementing a mix of hiring delays and freezes due to flat 

funding, sequestration, absorbing inflation and increased Departmental assessments.

• OSHA received $13.6 million in funding from the worker protection pool included in the 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) stimulus bill. This funding 

expired in FY 2010. In addition, OSHA received approximately $2.3 million in 

supplemental funding for the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental in FY 2013 to fund disaster 

response activities.

• Under sequestration in FY 2013, OSHA reduced compensation and benefits expenditures 

through a hiring freeze and the elimination of performance awards. OSHA achieved 

additional savings by reducing contracts, travel, equipment purchases, printing, supplies, 

and PCS moves. OSHA also moved $10.9 million from Federal Compliance Assistance to 

Federal Enforcement to maintain its enforcement presence. 
TAB 4: Budget

17

FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017

PB

Request $501.7 $563.6 $573.1 $583.3 $565.5 $570.5 $565.0 $592.1 $595.0

Enacted $513.0 $558.6 $558.6 $564.8 $535.2 $552.2 $552.8 $552.8

$440

$460

$480

$500

$520

$540

$560

$580

$600

$620

OSHA

Request vs. Enacted, FY 2009-FY 2016

(Dollars in millions)

FY

2009

FY

2010

FY

2011

FY

2012

FY

2013

FY

2014

FY

2015

FY

2016

Enacted $513.0 $558.6 $558.6 $564.8 $535.2 $552.2 $552.8 $552.8

Inflation Adjusted $513.0 $521.5 $537.9 $549.0 $557.1 $566.1 $566.8 $566.8

$480

$490

$500

$510

$520

$530

$540

$550

$560

$570

$580

OSHA

FY 2009 Inflation Adjusted BA vs. FY 2009-FY 2016 

Enacted BA

(Dollars in millions)
TAB 4: Budget

18

FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017

PB

Authorized 2,174 2,335 2,300 2,305 2,239 2,235 2,224 2,173 2,273

Actuals 2,037 2,189 2,273 2,242 2,226 2,166 2,132 2,045

1,850

1,900

1,950

2,000

2,050

2,100

2,150

2,200

2,250

2,300

2,350

2,400

OSHA

Authorized FTE vs. Actuals, FY 2009-2017
TAB 5: Agency Performance

19

TAB 5: AGENCY PERFORMANCE

OSHA’s mission is to reduce occupational injuries, illnesses, and deaths. OSHA’s efforts 

ultimately affect the fatality rates in both construction and general industry, which have trended 

downward over the last several years.

As part of the Administration’s Priority Goal to “Secure safe and 

healthy workplaces, particularly in high-risk industries”, OSHA 

reports the number of hazards abated associated with falls in both 

construction and general industry.

Performance Goal OSHA 2.1 –

Secure safe and healthy workplaces, 

particularly in high-risk industries

8.5 8.3 8.3 8.2

0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8

0

2

4

6

8

10

FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015

Fatality Rates in Construction and General Industry

(per 100,000 workers)

Construction fatality rate General industry fatality rate

9148

8582 8623

941 746 750

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 (target)

Agency Priority Goal: Hazard Abatement Associated with Falls

Number of hazards abated associated with falls in construction

Number of hazards abated associated with falls in general industry
TAB 5: Agency Performance

20

OSHA sets safety and health standards and conducts investigations, technical assistance, and 

outreach to ensure compliance. Upon receipt of a worker complaint, the agency has set a target of 

initiating inquiries within one working day, or an on-site inspection within five working days.

OSHA also protects workers’ rights by enforcing 22 whistleblower laws, including Section 11(c) of 

the OSH Act, ensuring that workers can exercise their legal rights and identify problems in their 

organizations without fear of retaliation.1 OSHA has steadily increased the number of completed 

whistleblower investigations, with nearly 3,273 in FY 

2015, compared to 2,744 in FY 2012. OSHA also 

has experienced a steady decrease in average age of 

whistleblower cases since it began reporting on this 

measure in FY 2014. 

 1 The other 21 whistleblower statutes enforced by OSHA cover airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, 

food safety, environmental, financial reform, health care reform, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, 

railroad, maritime, automotive manufacturing, and securities laws.

95% 97% 95% 97% 97%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 YTD

(through Q3)

Responsiveness to complaints: Percent of worker complaints with an inquiry initiated 

within one working day or an on-site inspection initiated within five working days

2,744 

3,083 3,146 3,273 

2,900 

 -

 500

 1,000

 1,500

 2,000

 2,500

 3,000

 3,500

FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 YTD

(through Q3)

Whistleblower Investigations Completed

Performance Goal OSHA 3.2 –

Protect workers’ rights