OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Introduction. Occupational Health and Environmental Services (OHES) includes the Occupational Health Division, the Safety Branch, and the Employee and Organizational Assistance Branch (EOAB). The Occupational Health Division provides a broad range of medical services for all Central Office employees and oversight and policy guidance for all field health services. EOAB is responsible for employee psychological health and offers programs and services for mental health, substance abuse, stress management, HIV/AIDS education, smoking cessation, nutrition, and fitness. EOAB also addresses organizational and operational issues associated with the effective functioning of GPO's workforce. The Safety Branch assumes responsibility for ensuring a safe working environment through safety, environmental health, fire protection, and emergency preparedness programs.

l. Office of the Director. The Director is responsible for policy, program coordination, and planning for environmental health and safety. The Director develops organizational automated data processing (ADP) and other automation requirements.

2. Occupational Health Division

a. Provides a full range of health hazard surveillance services and malntains ongoing programs to prevent occupational injuries and diseases.

b. Provides emergency care and arranges transportation for employees who become seriously ill or are injured on the job.

c. Provides confidential medical advice on a wide range of health problems and concerns, including control of infectious diseases.

d. Refers clients to appropriate physicians and/or clinics as needed.

e. Provides ongoing audiometric screening and guidance to employees on hearing conservation issues.

f. Provides screening for hypertension and offers support and medical recommendations to aid in controlling blood pressure.

g. Offers preventive health services such as AIDS prevention, influenza immunizations, hemoccult testing, vision testing, blood sugar monitoring, nutritional counseling, and health maintenance risk evaluations.

h. Provides occupational examinations, including preemployment physicals, power truck and motor vehicle license examinations, and physical examinations performed for occupational hazards surveillance.

3. Employee and Organizational Assistance Branch
a. Provides counseling services to troubled employees and organizations.

b. Provides emergency mental health-related crisis intervention.

c. Provides organizational analysis and assistance.

d. Trains and aids supervisors in the identification and supervision of troubled employees.

e. Manages the development, validation, and administration of tests and other procedures for inservice placement of employees in specific positions or employment programs.

f. Maintains liaison and referral relationships with local organizations offering treatment for substance abuse and psychological care.

g. Provides stress management and other counseling workshops for employees, supervisors, and managers.

h. Provides technical support in the design, implementation, and evaluation of workforce improvement programs, such as Total Quality Management and Health Improvement.

4. Safety Branch
a. Provides technical advice and safety consultations on all matters related to maintaining a safe and healthful working environment.

b. Conducts investigations and reports on accidents, injuries, and employee exposures.

c. Develops and monitors the activities of the Occupational Safety and Health Committees.

d. Ensures compliance with all applicable Federal, state, and local standards and regulations.

e. Provides safety engineering reviews.

f. Promotes safety and health awareness through training and education.

g. Conducts on-site safety and health inspections and program evaluations.

h. Conducts industrial hygiene surveys of work areas, as necessary, for a medical surveillance program.

i. Responsible for the full range of oversight activities associated with GPO's compliance with Federal and local environmental laws and regulations.

j. Conducts fire safety surveys.

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Page #OHES September 1, 1995