15 fam 930
post administration and responsibilities
(CT:OBO-51; 06-07-2016)
(Office of Origin: OBO)
15 fam 931 principal officer and deputy
principal officer
(CT:OBO-51; 06-07-2016)
a. The principal officer at each post has overall
responsibility for the safety and health of post employees. The deputy
principal officer at each post is the designated post safety and occupational
health administrator (referred to as the administrator in this subchapter)
and is responsible for ensuring that post safety, health, and environmental management (SHEM) programs are
funded, implemented, and functional in accordance with Department of State policies.
The administrator must ensure that post implements a safety, health, and
environmental management program.
b. The administrator appoints a post occupational
safety and health officer (POSHO) to carry out day-to-day safety, occupational
health, and environmental program management and implementation. This person
will be a Foreign Service officer or specialist assigned to post and usually employed
in the management section. Within 1 year of
being assigned safety and health duties as the POSHO, the administrator
ensures that the POSHO attends (or has attended) the POSHO seminar (or
equivalent training) sponsored by the Office of Safety, Health, and
Environmental Management (OBO/OPS/SHEM); POSHO
training is valid for 5 years after which further training is required to
maintain his/her current qualification. If the assigned POSHO curtails,
transfers, or otherwise permanently departs post, another qualified individual
must be immediately assigned POSHO responsibilities.
c. The administrator promotes and supports the SHEM
program and ensures that the annual budget contains adequate funding for the
program, including POSHO training and identified hazard abatements.
d. The administrator ensures that safety and
occupational health is a critical job element of the POSHO, supervisors, and
other individuals having responsibilities in this area.
e. If required due to post size or operational
footprint, a POSHO assistant may also be
designated.
15 fam 932 post occupational safety and
health officer (posho)
(CT:OBO-51; 06-07-2016)
The POSHO and a POSHO assistant
manage the post safety, health, and environmental management (SHEM) program,
which must meet the requirements of 15 FAM 960 and
other related Department of State requirements. The POSHO develops the post
administrative procedures and budget necessary to meet SHEM program
requirements, goals, and objectives. The POSHO collaborates with multiple post offices,
such as health unit, HR, GSO, FAC, and RSO
offices, to insure effective implementation of safety and health
requirements. Domestic bureaus are also
available to support posts in the implementation of an effective safety,
health, and environmental management program, including, but not limited to,
OBO, MED, and other bureaus as appropriate.
15 fam 933 post occupational safety,
health, and environmental management (shem) standing committee
15 FAM 933.1 Purpose
(CT:OBO-43; 02-28-2014)
The administrator should establish a standing committee to
assist in coordinating the SHEM program. The committee facilitates a team
approach in dealing with safety, occupational health, and environmental issues;
helps to establish program goals and objectives; and facilitates
communications.
15 FAM 933.2 Organization and
Membership
(CT:OBO-51; 06-07-2016)
a. Each post having more than 25 employees (including locally
employed staff (LE staff) and personal services contractors) should establish a
post safety, health, and environmental management standing committee. The
committee should meet at least semiannually. The POSHO will maintain meeting
minutes and distribute copies to each member.
b. Committee members are:
(1) The deputy chief of mission (the administrator), who
serves as chairman;
(2) The POSHO, who serves as executive director;
(3) A management officer;
(4) A human resources officer;
(5) The regional medical officer or Foreign Service
nurse practitioner; and
(6) The regional security officer.
c. Other employees may be members, such as a
representative of the labor organization holding exclusive recognition at the
particular location, or other Department representatives.
d. A unit safety and health committee may be organized
in those instances where a unit safety officer has been designated, consistent
with the applicable provisions of any collective bargaining agreement covering Department employees.
15 FAM 933.3 Objectives and
Functions
(CT:OBO-43; 02-28-2014)
The committee:
(1) Assists the administrator in planning and
executing Department of State policies and requirements abroad related to loss
control, including safety, occupational health, and the environment, and
reviews and updates the plan annually;
(2) Integrates safety, occupational health, and
environmental management into the posts management system, including the
delegation of activities and functions as appropriate;
(3) Monitors progress in meeting goals and objectives;
and
(4) Reviews annual mishap statistics and uses data to
establish or modify program goals and objectives.
15 fam 934 supervisors
(CT:OBO-43; 02-28-2014)
Supervisors will furnish employees a place of employment
free from recognized hazards that can cause death or serious harm. They must
comply with safety and occupational standards and ensure that timely action is
taken to correct unsafe or unhealthful working conditions or practices.
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that:
(1) Employees are provided the correct tools and
equipment to conduct their jobs safely;
(2) Employees are instructed in the proper use of
these items;
(3) Applicable safety and health procedures are
observed in the workplace; and
(4) Mishaps are reported promptly to the post
occupational safety and health officer (POSHO). The human resources office
(HR) is advised when workers compensation claims are required and the health
unit is notified when injury/illness is involved.
15 fam 935 contractors, grantees, and
other entities
(CT:OBO-43; 02-28-2014)
a. Contractors involved in OBO-sponsored construction
activities will abide by standards in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety
and Health Requirements Manual (see 15 FAM 955).
Contracting officers and administrators must clearly define requirements.
Other entities conducting projects or programs abroad that are funded or
supported by the Department of State must provide their employees with safe
conditions of employment in accordance with standards specified in this
directive.
b. In all cases, contractor operations and activities,
whether sponsored by the post or another Department of State organization,
should be closely coordinated with the POSHO during both planning and implementation
phases to ensure that required safety and health standards are included as part
of the project.
15 FAM 936 THROUGH 939 UNASSIGNED