Designated Safety And Health Official

(1) A memorandum from the Governor of the State of Tennessee to All Agency and Department Heads dated September 27, 1972, requests each agency and department head to designate a staff member to serve as the administrator of each department’s or agency’s safety and health program. Item 1 under Guidelines to be Used for Approval and Evaluation of Self-Compliance Programs contained in Chapter IV, Part IV, Public Sector, Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Plan requires local governments to indicate the official responsible for the local government’s occupational safety and health program. The Act invests responsibility for carrying out its objectives with the Commissioner on a statewide level, and it is recognized that the chief executive officer bears the responsibility for carrying out the objectives of the Act within his jurisdiction. It is the considered judgement of the Commissioner that in most instances within the public sector, the chief executive officer of the state agency or local government should designate or appoint an official to be responsible for the management and administration of the state agency’s or local government’s occupational safety and health program. It is also the considered judgement of the Commissioner that such official should have, or have personnel reporting to him who have, necessary training and experience to carry out his functions. If the employer has less than 750 employees, the responsible official should devote up to fifty percent (50%) of his time to the safety and health program; if 750 to 999 employees at least fifty percent (50%); if 1,000 to 1,999 employees at least seventy-five percent (75%); and if 2,000 or more employees all of his time to the program. (2) The designated safety and health official should assist the chief executive officer of the state agency or local government in carrying out all facets of the program to include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) Setting goals and objectives for reducing and eliminating occupational accidents, injuries and illnesses; (b) Developing plans and procedures for evaluating the program’s effectiveness at all operational levels; SAFETY AND HEALTH PROVISIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR CHAPTER 0800-1-5 (c) Setting priorities with respect to the factors which cause occupational accidents, injuries and illnesses so that appropriate corrective action can be taken; and (d) Assisting in budgeting sufficient funds for necessary staff, equipment, material and training required to ensure an effective occupational safety and health program. (3) Employers shall provide the Commissioner with the designated safety and health official’s name, business address and telephone number, and position title if designated on a part-time basis. The Commissioner shall be advised of any change of the official so designated within thirty (30) days after such change occurs.