U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration	Order Subject
	Occupant Safety and Health Program
	Classification Code	Date	Office of Primary Interest
	3902.4A	August 24, 2004	HAIM-20

Par.

1. What is the purpose of this directive?
2. Does this directive cancel an existing FHWA directive?
3. What are the authorities for this directive?
4. What is the FHWA policy concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Program?
5. What are the roles and responsibilities of the FHWA offices?
6. What are the duties of the Occupational Safety and Health Committee?
7. Are reports and postings required?
8. How will the program be supported?

1. What is the purpose of this directive? This order issues policies and guidance for the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) Occupational Safety and Health Program and responsibilities of officials and employees.
   
   
2. Does this directive cancel an existing FHWA directive? Yes. This directive cancels FHWA Order 3902.4, Occupational Safety and Health Program, dated February 12, 1982.
   
   
3. What are the authorities for this directive? The authorities for this directive are:
   
   
   1. Department of Transportation (DOT) Order M 3902.7B, Occupational Safety and Health Management Manual, dated July 13, 1995;
      
      
   2. Public Law 91-596, as amended, at http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=OSHACT&p_id=2743;
      
      
   3. Executive Order 12196, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees, at http://www.oalj.dol.gov/public/wblower/refrnc/so696.htm;
      
      
   4. Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1960, Basic Program Elements for Federal Employee Occupational Safety and Health Programs and Related Matters, at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/29cfrv9_03.html;
      
      
   5. Title 41 CFR 101-20, Management of Buildings and Grounds, at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_01/41cfr102-71_01.html; and
      
      
   6. DOT 1000.17, Administrative Services Policy Functions, dated May 15, 1995.
      
      
4. What is the FHWA policy concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Program? The FHWA policy is to adhere to the Federal and other requirements in providing safe and healthful workplaces for FHWA employees and visitors on all FHWA-controlled premises. The FHWA also ensures the protection of personnel and material resources by establishing and implementing a continuous, comprehensive, and effective safety and industrial hygiene maintenance system.
   
   
5. What are the roles and responsibilites of the FHWA offices?
   1. FHWA-wide
      

      1. (1) Supervisors and managers shall:

         1. (a) Promote continuing awareness of all requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Program and ensure that all operations within their areas of responsibility provide optimum safeguards.

         2. (b) Investigate employee reports of hazardous or unhealthful working conditions, determine appropriate corrective action, and inform the employees of the decision and action taken.

         3. (c) Investigate and report all accidents, including occupational illness and injuries, on FHWA property, which originate in one's area, and take corrective action to prevent recurrences.

      2. (2) Employees shall:

         1. (a) Notify their supervisors promptly of occupational injury accidents in which they are involved.

         2. (b) Notify their supervisors promptly of any occupational illness.

         3. (c) Request medical treatment if necessary in accordance with the FHWA Employee Handbook.

         4. (d) Conduct business and work in a safe and responsible manner, using prescribed safety procedures, techniques, and equipment.

         5. (e) Notify the Occupational Safety manager of unsatisfactory corrective action in accordance with the appeal procedures outlined in DOT Order 3902.7B.

   2. Washington Headquarters. The Management Services Division in the Office of Information and Management Services, shall:
      

      1. (1) Develop agency wide policies and provide support, assistance and technical expertise to FHWA Washington Headquarters and field organizations in matters relating to the Occupational Safety and Health Program.

      2. (2) Investigate employee reports of hazardous or unhealthful working conditions, determine appropriate corrective action, and inform the employee of the decision and action taken.

      3. (3) Promote continuing awareness of all requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Program

   3. Field Offices. Division Administrators, Resource Center Managers and Federal Lands Highway Division Engineers shall establish safety and health committees where there are 50 or more employees.
      
      
6. What are the of the Occupational Safety and Health Committee?
   
   
   1. The Occupational Safety and Health Committee (OSHC) shall assist management officials in discharging their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Program.
      
      
   2. The OSHC shall call upon safety and/or other expert personnel for technical advice and assistance as needed.
      
      
   3. The OSHC shall include management representatives and employee representatives. Only full-time employees may be selected to be representatives.
      
      
   4. The OSHC shall develop recommendations and exchange information on all areas of occupational safety and health. This committee shall be used as a forum for discussion of employees' concerns about unsafe and/or unhealthful working conditions and practices.
      
      
7. Are reports and postings required?
   
   
   1. An annual safety report will be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Administration, Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), when requested. The Office of Human Resources will submit the statistical data directly and the Office of Information and Management Services will submit any Safety and Health Program Initiative directly to the OST.
      
      
   2. The Notice of Employee Rights and Responsibilities is published by the Department of Labor in accordance with 29 CFR 1960 informing employees of their rights and responsibilities. It shall be posted in the Washington Headquarters and all field offices. The information shall include the name of the occupational safety manager and where to obtain the documents cited in paragraph 3 as well as information regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Committee. These documents shall be made available upon request to employees or employee representatives for review.
      
      
   3. The annual FHWA occupational injury and illness statistics shall be posted at the Washington Headquarters and at all field offices. These statistics shall be posted for at least 30 days.
      
      
8. How will the program be supported?  The Associate Administrator for Administration, the Resource Center Managers, the Division Administrators, and the Federal Lands Highway Division Engineers shall make funds available for the Occupational Safety and Health Program in their budgets. Abatement of unsafe and/or unhealthful working conditions, personnel needs, and safety and health training requirements are to be identified and given adequate priority in developing annual budget submissions. Work plans developed for the occupational safety and health program should contain the estimated cost to complete the items in the plan.

Michael J. Vecchietti Associate Administrator for Administration