15 FAM 900
SAFETY, occupational HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ABROAD
15 FAM 910
POLICY, SCOPE, AND AUTHORITIES
(CT:OBO-141; 07-26-2023)
(Office of Origin: OBO/OPS/SHEM)
15 FAM 911 Policy
(CT:OBO-128; 04-26-2023)
a. Chapter 15 FAM 900 implements the policies governing the overall safety, health, environmental, and environmental health programs for the Department’s overseas real property and the community serving abroad under the authority of the chiefs of mission, as mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-specific requirements and environmental laws, as well as Federal laws and standards. The Office of Safety, Health, and Environmental Management (OBO/OPS/SHEM) in the Directorate of Operations, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, is responsible for establishing policies that minimize risk to life, maintain the integrity of overseas operations, and reduce the impact of the Department’s overseas operations on the environment.
b. OBO/OPS/SHEM:
(1) Promotes safe and healthful living and working conditions for all U.S. Government employees and their family members; locally employed (LE) staff; contractors; visitors; and others performing official duties on U.S. Government-controlled, -leased, or provided diplomatic or consular facilities and residences abroad;
(2) Sets policies to implement the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Executive Order 12196, 29 CFR 1960, and other environmental authorities;
(3) Conserves and protects the environment by managing and controlling activities that could result in emissions, discharges, and/or disposal of hazardous materials; and
(4) Administers an effective risk management program to protect equipment and property from loss due to mishaps.
15 FAM 912 Scope
(CT:OBO-128; 04-26-2023)
The directives outlined in 15 FAM 900 apply to all Department of State facilities at diplomatic and consular posts and to the U.S. Government community serving abroad under the authority of the chiefs of mission. OBO/OPS/SHEM manages the Safety, Occupational Health, and Environmental Management (SHEM) program to protect people, safeguard operational continuity, and conserve Department of State resources abroad. The SHEM program is accomplished through the avoidance, elimination, or proper management and control of hazardous conditions that can result in physical harm, illness, death, property loss, or environmental damage. 15 FAM 900 includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Injuries or illnesses to U.S. Government personnel abroad, including LE staff, eligible family members, and contract employees, related to an activity of or on premises under the control of the Department of State and other agency personnel under chief of mission (COM) authority;
(2) Unintentional damage to or operational loss of the facility or property owned, leased or provided by the U.S. Government agencies under COM authority;
(3) Unintentional damage to or loss of non-Department of State or non-agency property abroad where related to the use, or activity of, or on the premises under the control of the Department of State and other agencies under COM;
(4) Fires, explosions, hazardous material contaminations, and other similar incidents that may threaten people, property, and equipment; and
(5) Emissions, discharges, and/or disposal of hazardous materials that may adversely impact the environment as well as environmental health factors such as air and water pollution, water potability, ambient radiation, lead, and pesticides.
15 FAM 913 Authorities
(CT:OBO-128; 04-26-2023)
Authorities are found under:
(1) Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-596) (the “Act”) (29 U.S.C. 668);
(2) Executive Order 12196―Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees, as amended;
(3) Basic Program Elements for Federal Employee Occupational Safety and Health Programs (29 CFR 1960);
(4) Occupational Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926);
(5) Executive Order 13990 Climate Crisis: Efforts to Protect Public Health and Environmental and Restore Science;
(6) The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 (Public Law 94-580);
(7) Federal Facility Compliance Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-386); and
(8) Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol).
15 FAM 914 THROUGH 919 UNASSIGNED