ADS Chapter 529 - Safety Program

The program is guided by the principles of preventing workplace hazards and ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for all Agency staff members. The USAID Administrator is responsible for the strategic and policy-level oversight of the Occupational Safety and Health Program, while the Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Management, serves as the Designated Agency Safety and Health Official (DASHO). The DASHO is responsible for ensuring that adequate program direction, budget, and staff are provided to implement the program worldwide. The USAID Safety Manager, located in the Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services, Headquarters Division, is responsible for operational-level oversight and implementation of applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The Safety Manager provides top management officials with orientation and other learning experiences to enable them to manage the Occupational Safety and Health Program. The Agency's Occupational Safety and Health Program is based on the principles of preventing workplace hazards and ensuring a safe and healthy working environment. The program requires all Agency staff members to comply with occupational safety and health practices, and supervisors are responsible for providing a place of employment free from hazards that may cause injury or illness. The program includes various policies and procedures, such as the Agency Smoking Policy and Regulations, Agency Vehicle Safety Belt Policy, and Hazard Communication Program. The program also includes requirements for reporting accidents and injuries, conducting accident investigations, and abating hazards. The USAID Occupational Safety and Health Program is designed to promote Agency staff member awareness of occupational safety and health matters through various information channels, such as newsletters, bulletins, and handbooks. The program also requires the Agency to adopt emergency, temporary, and permanent supplementary standards as necessary and appropriate for application to working conditions of Agency staff. The program's effectiveness is evaluated through various means, including regular inspections and investigations, and the USAID Administrator is required to ensure that the Agency's budget submission includes appropriate financial and other resources to effectively implement and administer the program. The USAID Occupational Safety and Health Program is a critical component of the Agency's overall management and administration, and it is essential for the heads of Bureaus and Independent Offices, supervisory staff, and all Agency staff to observe and adhere to occupational safety and health practices in order to achieve USAID policy objectives. The program's primary responsibilities include ensuring that Agency staff members have a safe and healthy working environment, preventing workplace hazards, and promoting Agency staff member awareness of occupational safety and health matters. The program's policies and procedures are designed to provide a comprehensive framework for implementing and administering the Occupational Safety and Health Program. The USAID Occupational Safety and Health Program is a critical component of the Agency's overall management and administration, and it is essential for the Agency to continue to prioritize and implement this program to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all Agency staff members.