Agency safety program resources

Under 1960.7(a), the head of each agency must ensure the agency budget submission includes appropriate financial and other resources to effectively implement and administer the agency's occupational safety and health program. See 1960.7(a).

• "Appropriate financial and other resources" means funds and other support sufficient to carry out the program elements required by Part 1960 (for example, personnel, training, equipment, and abatement activities).
• Agencies should align budget requests with program priorities and relevant Office of Management and Budget requirements as noted in 1960.7(b).

Cited authority: 1960.7(a).

Under 1960.7(b), the Designated Agency Safety and Health Official, management officials in charge of each establishment, safety and health officials at all appropriate levels, and other management officials are responsible for planning, requesting resources, implementing, and evaluating the occupational safety and health program budget. See 1960.7(b).

• This assigns clear program and budget duties across managerial and safety roles so budget planning is not left to a single individual.
• Agencies should follow applicable Office of Management and Budget rules when preparing requests, as the regulation requires alignment with those documents.

Cited authority: 1960.7(b).

Yes. Under 1960.7(c)(1), "sufficient personnel" includes necessary administrative costs such as training, travel, and personal protective equipment. See 1960.7(c)(1).

• Budget line items should cover staff time and support for safety program staff, training courses, travel for inspections or training, and PPE required to protect employees while performing safety duties.
• Treat these items as essential program costs rather than optional extras when preparing the agency budget.

Cited authority: 1960.7(c)(1).

Yes. Under 1960.7(c)(2), agencies must include funds for abatement of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions related to agency operations or facilities. See 1960.7(c)(2).

• Abatement funding covers repairs, engineering controls, removal of hazards, and other corrective actions needed to eliminate recognized dangers.
• Agencies should prioritize abatement in budget requests because providing a workplace free from recognized hazards is a core agency responsibility under Part 1960.

Cited authority: 1960.7(c)(2).

Yes. Under 1960.7(c)(3), agencies must budget for safety and health sampling, testing, and diagnostic and analytical tools and equipment, including laboratory analyses. See 1960.7(c)(3).

• Agencies should include funds for air sampling pumps, analytical lab fees, and measurement tools needed to characterize employee exposures.
• For specific analytes such as hexavalent chromium, OSHA permits alternate sampling methods if the employer can demonstrate the method meets the performance requirements of the applicable OSHA standard; see the interpretation on hexavalent chromium sampling methods at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-04-19 which explains acceptable inhalable sampling techniques are allowed provided they meet accuracy and confidence requirements.

Cited authority: 1960.7(c)(3) and OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-04-19.

Yes. Under 1960.7(c)(4), agencies may and should budget for any necessary contracts to identify, analyze, or evaluate unsafe or unhealthful working conditions and operations. See 1960.7(c)(4).

• Contracts can cover industrial hygiene surveys, laboratory analyses, engineering studies, or third-party consultants when in-house capability is insufficient.
• When contracting, agencies should document scope and performance expectations so contracted services meet regulatory and technical needs.

Cited authority: 1960.7(c)(4).

Yes. Under 1960.7(c)(5) and 1960.7(c)(6), agencies must include funds for program promotional costs (like publications, posters, or films) and for technical information (documents, books, standards, codes, periodicals, and publications). See 1960.7(c)(5) and 1960.7(c)(6).

• Promotional and communication materials support employee training, awareness, and program buy-in.
• Budgeting for up-to-date technical resources ensures staff have access to standards, guidance, and reference materials needed for compliance and hazard control.

Cited authority: 1960.7(c)(5) and 1960.7(c)(6).

Yes. Under 1960.7(c)(7), agencies must include medical surveillance programs for employees in their resources; this can include vaccinations and other medical protections where required by applicable OSHA standards. See 1960.7(c)(7).

• For example, OSHA's enforcement guidance for Bloodborne Pathogens recognizes that employees with occupational exposure must be offered hepatitis B vaccination and that certain first aiders may qualify for an exception if their duties are purely collateral; see the HBV vaccination letter at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2000-11-01.
• Agencies should budget for pre-placement exams, periodic monitoring (audiograms, lab tests), vaccinations, and any follow-up medical services required by standards or program policy.

Cited authority: 1960.7(c)(7) and OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2000-11-01.

An agency should show sufficiency by documenting budgeted line items that directly support the program elements required by Part 1960—personnel, training, abatement, sampling and testing, contracts, program promotion, technical resources, and medical surveillance—and by assigning responsibility for budget planning and evaluation as required in 1960.7(a) and 1960.7(b).

• Include clear budget categories tied to the list in 1960.7(c) and show how funds will be used (e.g., training seats, lab analyses, PPE units, contractor services).
• Retain explanations of assumptions, cost estimates, and OMB alignment to demonstrate prudent and realistic budgeting.

Cited authority: 1960.7(a) and 1960.7(b).

Federal OSHA recognizes that military personnel and uniquely military equipment and operations are generally excluded from OSHA coverage, but civilian employees working on non-unique systems remain covered and require agency resources; see the oxygen-deficient atmospheres letter at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-07-16 and Part 1960.

• When budgeting under 1960.7, agencies should differentiate between military-unique functions (often excluded) and civilian employee work or contractor work where OSHA standards apply.
• For civilian-covered operations (including contractor employees), include resources for compliance with applicable OSHA requirements such as respiratory protection for oxygen-deficient atmospheres per 29 CFR 1910.134 as applied to covered employees (see the 2024 LoI at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-07-16).

Cited authority: OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-07-16 and Part 1960.

Yes. Agencies can use alternate sampling or monitoring methods provided the method meets the performance and accuracy requirements of the applicable OSHA standard or the agency obtains approval where required; see 1960.7 and the hexavalent chromium interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-04-19 which explains that acceptable inhalable sampling methods are allowed if they meet OSHA's accuracy and confidence requirements under the specific standard.

• For example, 29 CFR 1910.1026(d)(5) requires sampling and analysis methods to achieve ±25% accuracy and 95% confidence at or above the action level; OSHA will accept alternate methods that meet those performance criteria as described in the 2019 LoI at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-04-19.
• Agencies should budget for validation, new equipment, or contract services required to demonstrate equivalence of alternate methods.

Cited authority: 1960.7 and OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-04-19.

Yes, when an agency seeks to adopt an "alternate standard" it must follow the process in 29 CFR 1960.17 and request the Secretary of Labor's approval before implementing the alternate standard; see the discussion in the hexavalent chromium interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-04-19 which references the alternate standard procedure.

• That interpretation notes that while agencies may propose alternate standards, a formal approval request must include the information specified in 1960.17(b)(1)-(b)(5) before the alternate standard can be implemented.
• Budget requests should therefore include resources to prepare and document any alternate standard request if an agency intends to pursue that route.

Cited authority: OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-04-19 and Part 1960.

Yes. Under 1960.7(c)(1) and (c)(6), agencies should budget for personnel, training, and technical information needed to maintain a hearing conservation program, including costs associated with switching audiometric equipment or testing methods. See 1960.7(c)(1) and 1960.7(c)(6).

• OSHA's hearing conservation guidance recognizes that newer audiometric technologies (e.g., insert earphones) may be used and that agencies no longer need side-by-side retesting for conversion; see the hearing conservation program guidance at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2013-03-11-0.
• Budget for purchase, calibration, training, and any procedural updates required to preserve valid baseline comparisons.

Cited authority: 1960.7(c)(1), 1960.7(c)(6), and OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2013-03-11-0.

Yes. Agencies must budget for training and resources to implement hazardous energy control programs where applicable, but the Lockout/Tagout standard contains specific exceptions (such as cord-and-plug equipment unplugged and under the exclusive control of the employee). See the lockout/tagout definitions clarification at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2012-04-03 and Part 1960.

• The 2012 LoI explains that when the cord-and-plug exception in 29 CFR 1910.147(a)(2)(iii)(A) applies, the standard's requirements for authorized employee training may not be required for that specific task, but agencies still must address any remaining hazards and comply with other applicable standards; see https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2012-04-03.
• Budget for lockout/tagout program elements (training, locks/tags, procedures, audits) and identify tasks where exceptions apply so resources are targeted correctly.

Cited authority: OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2012-04-03 and Part 1960.

Yes. Agencies should budget to ensure that all workers who perform tasks with potential exposure—whether federal employees or contract employees—receive required training and protections. See 1960.7 and the asbestos awareness training interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2006-01-17-0 which explains custodial workers must receive asbestos awareness training when they perform housekeeping in areas where asbestos-containing material is present.

• If custodial or contractor staff work in areas with asbestos or other hazards, budget for site-specific training, protective equipment, and monitoring as called for by the applicable OSHA standard.
• Agencies must also ensure contractor employers fulfill their training and protection obligations; include oversight and contract compliance resources in the budget.

Cited authority: 1960.7 and OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2006-01-17-0.