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Safety and Occupational Health Office |
The mission of the Safety and
Occupational Health Office is to provide a safe and healthy working
environment for all employees and soldiers of the Illinois Army National
Guard (IL ARNG). This mission is supported by federal statutes set forth
by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and in the
regulatory guidance established by the Department of Defense (DOD), the
Department of the Army (DA), and the National Guard Bureau (NGB).
Force Protection is the goal if the Safety and Occupational Health
Office. We strive to provide quality education, training, and support in
the areas of safety and health to all soldiers and full-time personnel.
We want all of our soldiers to incorporate health and safety into their
missions, lives, and daily activities. The five-step Risk Management
Process is the cornerstone of the Safety and Occupational Health
Program.
The Safety and Occupational Health Office has three full-time personnel
on staff. The positions include: a State Safety and Occupational Health
Manager (SSOHM), a State Safety Manager (SSM), and a State Occupational
Health Manager (SOHM).
SSOHM
The State Safety and Occupational Health Manager
(SSOHM) is responsible for the daily operations of the Safety and
Occupational Health Office, and serves as the principle advisor to the
Adjutant General on safety and health issues, and OSHA compliance.
SSM
The State Safety Manager (SSM) deals with safety issues in the workplace
and in the field environment. The SSM performs safety inspections,
assistance visits, safety training, and industrial hygiene monitoring of
the armories, shops and facilities within the IL ARNG.
SOHM
The State Occupational Health Manager (SOHM) is
responsible for many regulatory programs; Medical Surveillance,
Radiation Protection, Hearing and Vision Conservation, Respiratory
Protection, Hazard Communication, Preventive Medicine, and Workman�s
Compensation Program (OWCP). Several of these also apply to the
traditional soldier. The OHM responds to health issues that could
potentially affect the health and well being of the full-time workforce,
and makes recommendations to commanders on issues involving traditional
soldiers.
Risk Management
Commanders, supervisors, and managers
are required to use this process prior to and during the performance of
any training event or activity to mitigate or eliminate hazards and
unnecessary risk. Over the past decade, the IL ARNG has realized an
outstanding safety record. Missions have been conducted with a high
degree of safety despite the increased OPTEMPO. The full-time federal
technician workforce has experienced an equally successful safety record
in our shops and facilities throughout the state.
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