CY 2017 Policy on Safety and Occupational Health for Bureau of Land Management, California and California State Safety and Occupational Health Action Plan

March 10, 2017

In Reply Refer To:
1112 (CA940) P

EMS TRANSMISSION:  03/10/2017
Instruction Memorandum No. CA-2017-006

To:                   All California Employees      

From:              State Director 

Subject:           CY 2017 Policy on Safety and Occupational Health for Bureau of
                        Land Management, California and California State Safety and
                        Occupational Health Action Plan                                 DD: March 30,  2017

Program Area:  Safety and Occupational Health

Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum transmits California's CY 2017 Annual Safety and Occupational Health Action Plan which was developed to strengthen and improve our overall state Safety and Occupational Health Program.

Policy: This Instruction Memorandum reissues the policy on Safety and Occupational Health for the Bureau of Land Management, California (BLM CA) and transmits the attached California State Safety and Occupational Health Action Plan.

BLM CA's policy is to provide a safe and healthy working environment and prevent employee injuries, work-related illnesses, and visitor injuries, and protect Bureau owned or leased property from damage.

All managers and supervisors are responsible and accountable for implementing and managing a vigorous safety and health program and incorporating safety conscious work practices for all programs under their jurisdiction.  Management will maintain a safe and healthy environment   and promptly evaluate and take actions to correct hazards reported by employees or identified through an inspection or accident investigation. In addition, the California 2017 State Director Priorities include an emphasis on specific aspects of our Safely Program, including furthering Dignity & Respect and Facilities Security.

Supervisors at all levels are responsible for accident prevention and employee training. They are responsible for ensuring that employees under their supervision observe appropriate safety and occupational health rules and regulations.

All employees, volunteers, and contractors will comply with established standards and promptly report all hazards lo their Supervisor, District Safety Officer, Fire Safety Officer, Collateral Duty Safety Officer, or a Field Office safety committee member for correction.

We all have a responsibility to prevent accidents, to identify and correct hazards, to provide a healthy work environment and to provide and use appropriate safety engineering practices, administrative controls and/or Personal Protective Equipment/Clothing.

The development and maintenance of a shared sense of safety    awareness  is a responsibility across all levels and activities of BLM CA. A threat to the safety and well-being of any employee, volunteer, contractor, or visitor is cause for concern throughout BLM CA and an opportunity for us all to practice mutual accountability.

The following BLM CA Safety Officers can assist with safety program questions.

Action: Each District/Field Office will review and update their own Safety Action Plan listing specific items that will make their District/Field Office Safety Program more successful.

District/Field Offices are to incorporate into their plans the applicable action items listed in the State Safety and Health Action Plan shall be posted to the respective Field Office location on the CA Safety Sharepoint by March 30, 2017.

Timeframe:  This IM is effective immediately.  Action items identified on the plan should be completed within the timeframe identified.

Budget Impact:  This policy is not expected to result in additional costs not normally associated with managing safety in all program areas.

Background:  Bureau Manual 1112 – Safety, requires an annual Safety and Health Action Plan and interim and annual progress reports on the BLM’s implementation of this Plan to be submitted to the Department of Interior.

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected:  None

Coordination:  District Safety Officer, Field Office Collateral Duty Safety Officers and State Advisory and Health Committee

For additional information and guidance on the Safety and Occupational Health Program, please review BLM Handbook 1112-1, Safety and Health Management and BLM Handbook 1112-2 Safety and Health for Field Operations.  Questions regarding this Instruction Memorandum can be directed to Federica Lee at 916-978-4501.

Signed by:                                                                                         Authenticated by:

Joseph Stout                                                                                     Cynthia Diezel

For State Director                                                                             Records Manager

Attachments (2):

1 – CY 2017 California State Safety and Health Action Plan (8pp)

2 – CY 2016 Accomplishments (1p)