USGS Firearms Safety Committee
I. Purpose/Scope. The purpose of the USGS Firearms Safety Committee (FSC) is to recommend policy, develop plans, provide guidance, and promote actions to implement and maintain an effective USGS firearms safety program. The FSC will ensure employee compliance with Federal Law, as well as Department of the Interior (DOI) and USGS regulations concerning the use of firearms. The scope of the FSC is bureau-wide. The FSC works with the Bureau Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and Environmental Management (EM) Councils; Bureau Specialized Program Committees; and Regional Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental (OSHE) Committees to develop initiatives and enhancements to the overall USGS OSHE Program.
II. Authority.
A. 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1960 – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for occupational safety and health.
B. Physical Security Handbook, SM 440-2-H; Property Handbook, SM 408-2-H.
C. State Firearm Laws and Regulations pertaining to firearm use, handling, transport, and storage.
D. October 1, 2001 Charter, as approved by the USGS Designated Agency Safety and Health Official (DASHO).
III. Membership.
A. The FSC will consist of at least the following voting members:
(1) Bureau OSHE Program Manager or designee. Provides administrative support to the committee and coordinates with the Chairperson, as needed.
(2) Bureau Firearms Manager (BFM).
(3) Eastern Region Firearms Manager.
(4) Central Region Firearms Manager.
(5) Western Region Firearms Manager (Excluding Alaska).
(6) Three Alaska Firearms Representatives.
(7) Regional Directors are required to nominate committee members to represent their respective regions. The Regional Director, Western Region, will nominate the 3 committee members from the Alaska Region. The BFM, in coordination with the Bureau OSHE Program Manager, will ensure that FSC membership reflects the range of expertise needed to address the broad range of firearms issues within the Bureau.
B. The BFM serves as the committee Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson and the committee Secretary are elected every two years by the FSC.
IV. Responsibilities.
A. Distributes guidance and findings through the Safety and Environmental Management Branch (SEMB) in the Headquarters Office of Management Services (OMS), and through internal channels of communication by line management.
B. Reviews and evaluates firearms legislation for its effect on USGS operations and develops recommendations for implementing compliance programs.
C. Participates in Bureau level planning activities concerning firearms safety.
D. Monitors firearms user and instructor safety training sessions to ensure consistency, correctness, adequacy of coverage of materials, and overall quality.
E. Nominates qualified and safety-conscious individuals for training as instructors.
F. Develops or endorses training curricula specific to expected USGS firearms use.
G. Develops and employs basic minimum firearms safety standards and guidelines to ensure consistent safety practices throughout the USGS.
H. Reviews accidents/incidents involving firearms and makes recommendations for new or modified techniques and procedures, as appropriate.
I. Recommends and develops information systems to assist in the management of the firearms safety program (e.g., qualified user, instructor, and firearms databases).
J. Assists all USGS organizations in promoting and implementing firearms safety programs.
K. Promotes the involvement of management decisions by identifying firearms-related safety issues and prohibited conduct with firearms and provides recommendations for corrective actions to the Bureau DASHO.
L. Provides an outlet to ensure good communications and sharing of ideas and resources within the Bureau.
M. Evaluates, recommends, and improves training techniques to use in possible wild animal attacks, the collection of wildlife, or other mission-related situations.
N. Distributes firearms safety-related information.
O. Identifies and addresses all firearms safety operations within the USGS.
P. Designated representatives are authorized to speak for their respective firearms safety programs and make commitments/decisions on recommendations.
Q. FSC responsibilities are further detailed in USGS 445-2-H, Occupational Safety and Health Program Requirements Handbook, Chapter 29.
V. Meetings and Reports. The FSC will establish meeting dates and develop reports needed to conduct business and to evaluate the overall performance and achievement of committee decisions. Committee meetings will be held no less than quarterly via teleconference with one face-to-face meeting per year. Additional meetings may be held as deemed necessary (e.g., whenever a serious accident occurs or an incident takes place that could potentially have resulted in serious injury). Agendas and minutes will be published and distributed to all committee members and Bureau and Regional Safety Managers. The Chairperson will ensure that minutes are retained for a minimum of two years from the date of the meeting. The FSC will report annually through the Bureau DASHO to the Bureau Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on the status of previous fiscal year program accomplishments and upcoming fiscal year program plans.
VI. Subcommittees and Work Groups. Subcommittees or ad hoc work groups may be formed, as needed, to address specific tasks and/or provide reports to the Bureau OSH Council.
VII. Voting. The act of the majority of members will be the act of the FSC.
VIII. Salary, Travel, and Incidental Costs. FSC members’ costs are borne by each participant’s local or regional organization. Costs of Bureau members are borne by the Bureau SEMB. Extraordinary expenses must be pre-approved by the appropriate authority and covered by a written agreement.
Approved:
signed_________________________________
Carol F. Aten
Chief, Office of Administrative Policy and Services
Designated Agency Safety and Health Official