• Ensure that workplaces are free from recognized safety and health hazards
• Conduct annual inspections
• Establish procedures for responding to workplace emergencies and reporting unsafe and unhealthful working conditions
• Acquire, maintain, and require the use of approved personal protective equipment
• Abate hazardous conditions promptly and notify all employees exposed to such conditions
• Comply with all OSHA occupational safety and health standards and rules

FOH’s occupational health and safety experts can provide consultation to help Federal managers ensure a safe and healthful work environment. FOH’s experts can also determine whether an agency’s facility is safe from occupational hazards or whether existing health and safety programs are functioning within OSHA standards. FOH staff can also serve to assist agencies in implementing new programs according to OSHA mandates. FOH also offers the following services:

• Asbestos Inspections – Asbestos is a mineral fiber that had been used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant before its dangerous health affects were known. Asbestos is now recognized as a health hazard. FOH can determine if a Federal workplace contains any asbestos. If asbestos is found, FOH can conduct asbestos monitoring to determine if any employees are being exposed above the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). If asbestos is known to exist, FOH can offer recommendations on how to comply with OSHA’s asbestos regulation (29 CFR 1910.1001). For example, recommendations may include merely placing warning labels on all asbestos products and installed construction material as well as offering asbestos awareness training to employees who perform housekeeping operations.

• Fire Safety Inspections – FOH can establish whether a Federal workplace is in compliance with the applicable OSHA and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire safety regulations designed for that facility (e.g., assessing whether a facility has the appropriate fire detection system as stipulated by 29 CFR 1910.164).

• Electrical Safety Inspections – FOH’s experts can evaluate electrical procedures to determine if the appropriate electrical protective devices are being utilized as required by 29 CFR 1910.137. FOH can also establish if a facility is providing the required training to employees who work with electricity as required by 29 CFR 1910.332.

• Audit of OSHA Required Programs – FOH can evaluate a Federal facility’s OSHA required programs to determine if the agency is executing the mandatory elements of the outlined standard. Such required programs might include, Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200), Personal Protective Equipment (29 CFR 1910.132), Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030), and Respiratory Protection (1910.134).