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1963-Cont. Its purpose was to impose high standards
of quality control on submarine
construction and operations. In 1964 the
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
established the Submarine Safety Center
at the submarine base in New London,
Connecticut, to examine and coordinate
all matters of submarine safety.
1966-1967 SECNAV tasked CNO with reviewing the
entire Navy Safety Program after a series
of fires, collisions, and other mishaps
involving surface ships resulted in more
than 200 deaths and $100 million in
damages. On 3 May 1968, as a result of
the CNO’s findings, SECNAV established
the Naval Safety Center.
1970
The Occupational Safety and Health Act
(OSHA) of 1970 became law.
1973
The Commander, Naval Safety Center,
was designated as the CNO’s Safety
Coordinator (N09F), reporting directly to
the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. This
designation made the Naval Safety
Center’s mission more specific and
all-encompassing.
1983
The first Navy Occupational Safety and
Health (NAVOSH) Program Manual,
OPNAVINST 5100.23C, was imple-
mented.
Safety programs gained special prominence after
passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act on
31 December 1970. The primary thrust of the act was
directed at the private-sector employer. However,
section 19 of the act and several later Executive orders
directed federal agencies to set up and maintain
comprehensive and effective occupational safety and
health programs.
On 26 July 1971, Executive Order (EO) 11612, the
Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal
Employees, was signed. This EO stated that the federal
government, as the nation’s largest employer, has a
special obligation to set an example for safe and
healthful employment. In that regard, the head of each
federal department and agency was directed to establish
an occupational safety and health program.
Over the next 3 years, federal agencies made only
moderate progress. Congress received considerable
criticism for a perceived double standard in
occupational safety and health requirements between
the private sector and federal agencies. As a result, EO
11807 replaced EO 11612 in 1974.
This new order more clearly defined the scope,
requirements, and responsibilities of federal agency
programs. In addition, EO 11807 tasked the Secretary
of Labor to issue guidelines designed to help federal
agencies in establishing their programs. These
“guidelines” were issued on 9 October 1974 as Title 29,
Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1960 (29 CFR 1960),
Safety and Health Provisions for Federal Employees.
Some critics were still not satisfied by the actions
described above. Several federal agencies questioned
the regulatory authority of the Department of the Labor
guidelines (29 CFR 1960). On 26 February 1980, EO
12196, Occupational Safety and Health programs for
Federal Employees, superseded EO 11807. In addition,
the Department of Labor guidelines (29 CFR 1960)
were revised on 21 October 1980. They were reissued
as Basic Program Elements for Federal Employee
Occupational Safety and Health Programs.
During the past 10 years, the Department of Defense
(DOD) has issued many directives and instructions to
carry out the federal guidance outlined in the above
paragraphs. Prominent among those directives and
instructions is the Safety and Occupational Health
Policy for the Department of Defense, DOD Directive
1000.3. This directive outlines general DOD policy and
procedures for carrying out the Occupational Safety and
Health Act and its associated Executive order. Another
prominent instruction is DOD Instruction 6055.1,
Department of Defense Occupational Safety and
Health Program. This instruction provides the guidance
needed to carry out the basic occupational safety and
health program elements specified in 29 CFR. It also
provides for variances in equipment standards that are
unique to the military.
DOD Directive 1000.3 designates the Assistant
Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment)
as the safety and occupational health official for the
Department of the Navy. He or she establishes,
maintains, and modifies safety and occupational health
programs. These programs carry out the requirements
of DOD policy issuances and provide protection for both
civilian employees and military personnel.
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