Occupational Safety and Health Protection for Employees of 

the United States Department of Agriculture

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Executive Order 12196 and 29 CFR 1960 require the heads of Federal 

agencies to furnish to employees’ places and conditions of employment that are free from job safety and health hazards.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

FSIS Responsibilities 

1. General Requirements 

The FSIS Administrator will furnish 

employees places and conditions of 

employment that are free from on-thejob safety and health hazards. 

2. OSHA Regulations 

FSIS will comply with applicable 

regulations of the Occupational Safety 

and Health Administration (OSHA).

3. Reporting Hazards 

FSIS will respond to employee reports 

of hazards in the workplace. 

4. Workplace Inspections 

FSIS will ensure that each workplace 

is inspected annually for hazardous 

conditions. FSIS will post Notices of 

Unsafe or Unhealthful Working 

Conditions found during the 

inspections for a minimum of three 

working days, or until the hazard is 

corrected, whichever is later.

5. Correction of Unsafe Conditions 

FSIS will take prompt action to assure 

that hazardous conditions are 

eliminated. Imminent danger 

conditions will be corrected 

immediately. 

6. Safety and Protective Equipment 

FSIS will acquire, maintain, and 

require use of appropriate protective 

and safety equipment. 

7. Safety and Health Training 

FSIS will provide occupational safety 

and health training for employees. 

8. Reporting Accidents, Injuries and 

Occupational Illnesses 

Supervisors must submit a 

supervisor’s report of accidental

injury/illness for all work-related

accidents, injuries or occupational

illnesses experienced by employees 

under their supervision.

9. Safety and Health Committees 

FSIS will support safety and health 

committees that are formed from 

management and employee 

representatives. 

Employee Responsibilities 

1. Compliance with Standards 

Employees shall comply with all 

OSHA and approved FSIS 

occupational safety and health 

standards, policies, notices, and 

directives. 

2. Safety and Protective Equipment 

Employees shall use appropriate 

protective and safety equipment 

provided by FSIS.

Rights of Employees and Their 

Representatives 

1. Participation in

Safety and Health Program 

Employees and their representatives 

shall have the right to participate in 

the FSIS Safety and Health Program. 

Employees shall be authorized official 

time for these activities.

2. Access to Records and Documents 

Employees and their representatives 

shall have access to copies of 

applicable OSHA and other 

recognized standards and regulations; 

FSIS safety and health policies and 

directives; accident, injury, and illness 

statistics of FSIS. 

3. Reporting Hazards 

Employees and their representatives 

shall have the right to report unsafe or 

unhealthful working conditions to 

appropriate officials and to request an 

inspection of the workplace. 

The name of the employee making the 

report will be kept confidential if 

requested. 

4. Freedom from Fear of Reprisal 

Employees and their representatives 

are protected from restraint, 

interference, coercion, discrimination, 

or reprisal for exercising any of their 

rights under the FSIS Safety and 

Health Program. 

Responsible Officials 

The Designated Agency Safety and 

Health Official (DASHO) for FSIS is:

C. Natalie Lui Duncan 

Deputy Assistant Administrator 

Office of Management 

Food Safety Inspection Service

Office: (202) 937-4741

Cell Phone:202-510-0215

Email: Natalie.Duncan@usda.gov

The Safety and Health Designee for 

this workplace is: 

Ann M. Hergenreter

Safety and Health Occupational 

Specialist

Alameda & Denver Districts

Safety and Physical Security Branch 

Cell Phone: 202-570-3582

Email: ann.hergenreter@usda.gov

Further Information 

This notice highlights the FSIS 

employee job safety and health 

program. More information about the 

FSIS program or its standards and 

procedures may be obtained from the 

workplace Safety and Health

Designee. 

Updated: 12/01/23