Subpart K
The main purpose is to help agencies reduce the number, severity, and cost of workplace accidents, injuries, and illnesses by exchanging ideas and information. This objective is stated directly in 1960.87, which describes councils as facilitating information exchange to assist agencies in that goal.
It means the council collects, organizes, and shares data and information about workplace accidents, injuries, illnesses, and prevention methods so agencies can use that material to improve safety. See 1960.87(a) for the clearinghouse function and 1960 for the overall program context.
Field councils should organize meetings and programs that provide technical advice and information on occupational safety and health to agency and employee representatives. 1960.87(b) specifies planning, organizing, and conducting such meetings to deliver technical guidance.
A field council should promote program improvement by sharing best practices, offering technical assistance, and advising agencies on organizational and program enhancements. This role is described in 1960.87(c).
Field councils can promote coordination, cooperation, and sharing of resources and expertise—such as organizing training, coordinating inspection programs, or conducting inspections on request—to assist agencies with limited resources. 1960.87(d) lists these specific mechanisms.
Yes. A field council may organize and conduct training programs for employee representatives, collateral-duty safety personnel, and professional safety and health staff to build local capacity. This activity is explicitly included as an example in 1960.87(d).
Yes. On request, field councils may conduct inspections and evaluations of an agency’s safety and health programs to help identify problems and recommend improvements. This authority is described in 1960.87(d).
Field councils should provide administrative and technical information about safety and health programs so those groups can support and participate in workplace safety efforts. This function is set out in 1960.87(e).
Field councils evaluate local safety and health problems and then use council activities—such as targeted training, coordinated inspections, or tailored guidance—to help implement practical solutions. That local evaluation and facilitation role is described in 1960.87(f).
Field councils should inform local community leaders about the council’s functions and objectives and invite their support and participation in meetings and activities to build cooperative relationships. This community outreach role is specified in 1960.87(g).
Field councils act on behalf of the Secretary of Labor—or the Secretary's designees—when carrying out occupational safety and health activities in their geographic areas. This delegation is stated in the introductory text of 1960.87.
Field councils perform their functions within their respective geographic areas as designated by the council structure; their duties apply across that local area to participating agencies and employee organizations. The regulation explains this geographic role in 1960.87.
Representatives of participating federal agencies and employee organizations can take part in field council meetings and programs, as the regulation envisions councils giving technical advice and information to those representatives. See 1960.87(b).
Yes. Promoting improvements in safety and health programs—including sharing model program elements and best practices—is within the council’s role to help agencies enhance their programs, as described in 1960.87(c).
Yes. Field councils can coordinate or promote inspection programs and even assist by conducting inspections on request to help agencies improve compliance, per 1960.87(d).
Yes. Councils may organize and conduct training for employee representatives and collateral-duty personnel to supplement an agency’s limited professional safety resources, as allowed by 1960.87(d).
Yes. Field councils can provide technical information and administrative guidance to labor unions and employee representatives to support joint safety efforts, as described in 1960.87(e).
Councils evaluate local safety and health problems and facilitate tailored solutions—such as targeted outreach, training, or inspections—based on local conditions, per 1960.87(f).
Yes. The regulation encourages councils to promote coordination, cooperation, and sharing of resources and expertise among agencies to assist those with inadequate or limited resources, as stated in 1960.87(d).
Yes. Field councils are expected to develop cooperative relationships with local community leaders by informing them about council objectives and inviting support and participation, as required by 1960.87(g).
Yes. When a council evaluates safety and health problems or conducts inspections, it may recommend solutions and program improvements to the agency, consistent with its roles in 1960.87(c) and 1960.87(d).
Field councils primarily serve participating federal agencies and employee organizations, but councils can provide information useful to contractor employers and employees where relevant; specific inclusion of contractors depends on the council’s membership and local arrangements. The general functions are described in 1960.87.
Field councils primarily provide technical advice, information, and facilitation to improve safety programs and coordinate resources, but they do so on behalf of the Secretary or designees and may therefore influence agency practices through recommendations and cooperative programs as described in 1960.87.
Field councils and 29 CFR Part 1960 apply to federal civilian employees; military personnel and uniquely military operations are generally excluded from OSHA coverage under Executive Order 12196, though civilian employees working with non-unique operations remain covered. For the distinction between federal OSHA coverage and military operations see 1960 and the OSHA letter of interpretation on oxygen-deficient atmospheres at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-07-16 which explains coverage nuances for Department of Defense facilities.