15 FAM 950
standards
(CT:OBO-83; 05-01-2019)
(Office of Origin: OBO)
15 fam 951 general standards
(CT:OBO-43; 02-28-2014)
The Department of State's safety
and health standards are those promulgated by the Secretary of Labor under 29
CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926. Additional environmental standards are contained in 15 FAM 913 and 15 FAM 956. The
Department of State will also adopt
applicable emergency temporary occupational safety and health standards that
may be established by the Secretary of Labor or recommended by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Posts may be required to
implement host-country safety, health, and environmental standards when they are
more protective than Department of State standards.
15 fam 952 exposure standards
(CT:OBO-83; 05-01-2019)
Permissible exposure limits (PELs) for occupational
exposure to toxic and hazardous materials and hazardous physical energies are
those published by the Department of Labor, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910. An exception is
when the threshold limit value (TLV), established by the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), is lower than the OSHA PEL. In
this case, the TLV becomes the exposure standard for the Department of State.
If neither a PEL nor TLV exists, the NIOSH-recommended exposure limit (REL)
becomes the Departmental exposure standard.
15 fam 953 hazard control ventilation
standards
(CT:OBO-83; 05-01-2019)
The Industrial Ventilation Manual
of Recommended Practices for Design published by the American Conference
of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), is the Department of State
design standard for ventilation systems used to control hazardous materials for
protection of personnel in the workplace. This is in addition to the more
limited requirements set forth in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) and
29 CFR 1910. Airflow and air capacity specifications are those
contained in the Industrial Ventilation Manual.
15 fam 954 design standards
(CT:OBO-83; 05-01-2019)
For the design of new construction or major renovations,
the Department of State will conform with
OSHA standards at posts abroad and with host-country standards as required.
Application of such standards, as a modification of local design criteria, will
be at the discretion of the architect or engineer who will follow U.S.
standards to the fullest extent practical, unless precluded by host-country
standards. In order to ensure acceptable indoor air quality in Department of
State office buildings, ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
Air-Conditioning Engineers) Standard 62.1-2016 (or
the most recent version), Ventilation for
Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, will be followed.
15 fam 955 construction standards
(CT:OBO-43; 02-28-2014)
For new construction or major renovations and alterations
of existing structures at posts abroad, the Department of State will adhere to the
latest edition of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health
Requirements Manual (EM 385-1-1) and with host-country standards as necessary.
15 FAM 956 ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
(CT:OBO-43; 02-28-2014)
The Department of State must comply with environmental
statutes and regulations, including those dealing with hazardous waste
management, polychlorinated biphenyls, and ozone depleting substances.
15 fam 957 additional DEPARTMENT OF
STATE standards
(CT:OBO-52; 06-07-2016)
The Office of Safety,
Health, and Environmental Management, in the Directorate for Operations, Bureau
of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO/OPS/SHEM) will develop additional
standards as necessary to address specific issues or problems not covered by
the standards listed in 15 FAM 950 or by
the provisions of 15 FAM 913.
These standards are contained in the Resource Guide (15 FAM 957.1).
Periodically, SHEM may issue revised versions of certain Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and
other standards (e.g., Hazard Communication Program) when the revised versions
may be beneficial to posts in understanding and implementing requirements.
Agencies or bureaus with occupational responsibilities involving unusual or
special hazards should submit proposed draft standards to the SHEM Office
Director for review and approval.
15 FAM 957.1 Departmental Safety,
Occupational Health, and Environmental Management (SHEM) Resource Guide
(CT:OBO-43; 02-28-2014)
The resource guide, which has been issued to posts abroad,
contains safety and occupational health and environmental policies, directives,
programs, standards, and other requirements issued by the Department of State that posts and organizations supporting posts
must follow. Posts will ensure that the resource guide is readily accessible
via the SHEM Intranet site.
15 FAM 957.2 Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) Program Requirements
(CT:OBO-43; 02-28-2014)
a. Posts abroad will implement an integrated pest
management (IPM) program in all U.S. Government-owned and capital-lease properties in accordance with the Department of
State IPM program document, which can be
found on the SHEM Intranet site. This
program incorporates three elements:
(1) Pest prevalence reduction measures;
(2) Self-help measures; and
(3) Selection and use of pesticides that are
registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and/or that the Office of
Safety, Health, and Environmental Management (OBO/OPS/SHEM) has authorized for use, and which are to be mixed and applied according to label
instructions. These materials can only be used after reduction and self-help measures have been found to be insufficient.
b. Posts with operating lease properties are to periodically contact those
properties landlords and implement one of the following strategies (in order
of priority):
(1) Obtain landlord permission to implement IPM
procedures as stated in this section;
(2) Eliminate the use of chemical pesticides and
substitute self-help pest reduction measures by landlords and/or tenants; or
(3) Select and use pesticides, according to label
instructions, that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency
and/or that OBO/OPS/SHEM has authorized for use.
15 FAM 957.3 Motor Vehicle Safety
Management Program Requirements
(CT:OBO-83; 05-01-2019)
Posts will implement a motor vehicle safety management
program in accordance with the latest edition of the Department of State's Motor Vehicle Safety Management Program,
located on the SHEM Intranet site (also see 14 FAM 431.2-2 and 14 FAM 432.4, paragraph c). At a minimum, this program will include:
(1) Written post policy with assignment of program responsibilities;
(2) Operator screening, selection,
and training;
(3) Enforcement of operational safety rules;
(4) Duty limits
to control fatigue; and
(5) Distraction
controls.
15 FAM 957.4 Swimming Pool
Requirements
(CT:OBO-52; 06-07-2016)
Posts having swimming pools associated with facilities or
residences owned, leased or otherwise under Department of State control will
implement appropriate design or operational safety requirements consistent with
the Department of State's Swimming Pool Safety Program that can be found on the SHEM Intranet site. Requirements must
address the following elements:
(1) Permanent barriers
or fences;
(2) Supervision;
(3) Emergency procedures;
(4) Posted rules;
(5) Hazardous chemical control; and
(6) Electrical hazards.
15 FAM 957.5 Drinking Water Quality
Program Requirements
(CT:OBO-43; 02-28-2014)
Posts must provide potable water that is microbiologically
and chemically safe to drink at all Department of State-owned or -leased
facilities abroad where employees and post family members work or reside.
Posts will accomplish this in part by periodically testing the water; ensuring
that appropriate water treatment devices or systems are provided, used, and
properly maintained; and ensuring that any bottled water provided is safe to
drink. (Refer to the SHEM Drinking Water Safety Program that can be found on the SHEM Intranet site for guidance on how to meet these
requirements.)
15 FAM 957.6 Personal Protective
Equipment and Clothing
(CT:OBO-83; 05-01-2019)
Use of personal protective equipment, such as respirators,
gloves, safety shoes, eye and head protection, and outer clothing, is an integral
part of the Department of State's safety
and health strategy for protecting employees engaged in hazardous activities.
Protective clothing will be provided and funded by posts whenever the post
occupational and health official (POSHO) or a representative of OBO/OPS/SHEM determines it is necessary to protect employees
or to meet Department of State or Federal
standards. Posts will ensure that employees are trained in the proper use of
such equipment and that equipment is maintained, cleaned, and replaced, as
necessary, to ensure that it provides effective protection. Similarly all other Department organizations have the
same responsibilities whenever employees are required to enter hazardous or
potentially hazardous work spaces overseas or in the United States. All
personal protective equipment must meet design or performance standards required by Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) standards.
15 FAM
957.7 Electrical Safe Work Practice
Requirements
(CT:OBO-83; 05-01-2019)
a. The latest edition of
the National Fire Protection Associations manual, NFPA 70E, Standard for
Electrical Safety in the Workplace, is the Department of State standard for
safe electrical work practices. This is in addition to the applicable
requirements set forth in 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926.
b. Posts must implement
these requirements. Assistance can be found on the SHEM SharePoint site under
Safe Electrical Work Practices Program and Controls (Safe Work Practices).
Other Department organizations and contractors conducting electrical work at posts
must meet these same standards. As a minimum this program must address the
following key requirements:
(1) Establish, document,
implement, and enforce a work de-energized policy;
(2) Establish, document,
implement, and enforce an effective Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) policy including
written operating procedures to safely isolate electrical circuits and
switchgear;
(3) Establish an
Energized Work Permit control system when the POSHO deems it is infeasible to
de-energize circuits (Energized Work Permit);
(4) Provide appropriate
personal protective equipment, tools and meters for all qualified technicians
performing electrical work; and
(5) Provide and document
training for locally employed (LE) staff to ensure their qualification to
perform electrical work safely.
c. Information to assist
posts in meeting these requirements is contained in chapters one (1) and two
(2) of NFPA 70E.
15 FAM 958 and 959 UNASSIGNED