1. Field Federal Safety & Health Councils
Oklahoma
Mrs. Robin Bonville
September 6, 2011

2. Authority and Guidance
• Field Federal Safety and Health Councils
(FFSHCs) authorized by:
– Section 7902, Title 5, United States Code
– Section 19, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970
– Executive Order 12196
• Policy and procedures regarding the operation
and administration of the FFSHCs provided by:
– 29 CFR Part 1960, Subpart K
– FFSHC Operations Manual
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3. Milestones
• 1937 – Federal Interdepartmental Safety Council (FISC)
organized, by request of President Roosevelt
– Six cabinet officers and chaired by the Secretary of Labor
• 1950 – Executive Order 10194 replaced the FISC with
Federal Safety Councils
– Expanded participation to include local field activity level
• 1980 – 29 CFR Part 1960 published
– Subpart K authorizes Secretary to sponsor and provide
guidance to existing FFSHCs and establish new ones
• 2007 – FFSHC Operations Manual published
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4. Purpose
FFSHCs are Federal inter-agency groups chartered
by the Secretary of Labor to promote the
advancement of occupational safety and health
throughout the Federal government.
FFSHCs provide support to Federal agencies by:
– Conducting training
– Serving as a clearinghouse
– Offering technical advice
– Sharing best practices
– Establishing cooperative relationships
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5. Active FFSHCs by Region
Forty-five (45) Active FFSHCs
(As of January 2008)
Region X Region I
(1) Region VIII Region VII (2)
(2) (5) Region V
(6)
Region III
(6)
Region IV
Region VI (13)
(2)
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6. Membership
• FFSHC membership comprised of Federal agency
occupational safety and health personnel
• Members officially designated by Federal agency
activity heads
– Equal number of management and non-management from
each member agency
– Agency participation is voluntary
– Non-federal associate membership
• ONLY designated federal agency members can:
– Vote
– Serve as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary or
Chairperson of a committee
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7. How DOL/OSHA Interacts
with the FFSHCs
Secretary of Labor – Charters FFSHCs
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health –
Promotes agency participation in FFSHC activities
OSHA Regional Administrators (RAs) – Monitor, advise, and
recommend approval or disapproval on issues concerning FFSHCs
OSHA Federal Agency Program Officers (FAPO) - Liaison between
OSHA field staff and Federal agencies.
– Provide leadership in organizing new FFSHCs
– Assist FFSHCs with operations and activities including
meetings, membership, and training
OSHA - Office of Federal Agency Programs (OFAP) – Develops
policy concerning FFSHC activities and provides overall direction and
guidance for their operation
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8. Chartering a FFSHC
• Local Federal agency safety and health personnel determine
interest in organizing an FFSHC
• Proposed FFSHC holds initial meeting
• Proposed FFSHC develops Articles of Organization
• Regional office reviews Articles and submits request to be
chartered to OSHA National Office
• OSHA - OFAP reviews Articles for compliance with 29 CFR Part
1960 & FFSHC Manual
• If compliance requirements met, OFAP produces a charter and
forwards Articles and charter to the Secretary of Labor for
approval
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9. FFSHC Annual Report
• All FFSHCs required to submit an Annual Report
– Annual Report Guidelines issued from the OSHA National Office
– Based on previous calendar year activities
– Due March 15th of each year
• Annual Reports include information on:
– Meetings, training, and other occupational safety & health related
events
– Membership and agency participation
– Special FFSHC initiatives
– Goals and objectives for the reported calendar year and upcoming
year
• Annual Reports used to:
– Generate reports and briefings on the status of the FFSHCs nation-
wide
– Determine OSHA National Office Recognition Awards based on
performance
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10. Awards
• Annual National Office Recognition Awards
– Based on FFSHC size category
• Category I: Federal employee population of > 24,000
• Category II: Federal employee population of 12,000 to 24,000
• Category III: Federal employee population of < 12,000
– Three (3) award levels
• Superior Performance
• Meritorious Achievement
• Notable Recognition
– Up to nine (9) awards given
• Regional Awards
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11. Additional Information
• (Insert Council Name) FFSHC
– Chair Name:
– Chair Phone:
– Chair Email:
• (Insert OSHA Regional FAPO Name)
– FAPO Phone:
– FAPO Email:
• OSHA Office of Federal Agency Programs
website:
– www.osha.gov/dep/fap/index.html
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