Special Government Employee (SGE) Program

1. Special Government Employee (SGE) Program Matt Gaines, CSP VPP Manager – Region VII Department of Labor-OSHA Email: gaines.matt@dol.gov

2. I. What is the Special Government Employee (SGE) Program ? • SGE program was established to allow industry employees to work alongside OSHA during VPP on-site evaluations. • Is an opportunity to work together and share views and ideas in a professional environment.

3. I.… cont.. SGE Program • Allowing the SGE’s to bring a unique perspective to the team effort and take back to their sites new ideas and best practices to further improve worker protections.

4. II. Basic requirements • Qualified volunteers from VPP sites are eligible to be part of the team. • Must be approved by OSHA and funded by their companies. • Must submit an application. • Complete a required training, sworn as SGE’s and be approved.

5. III. Dates & Application • Applications are processed four (4) times per year. • January 15 • April 15 • July 15 • October 15

6. III. A complete application includes the following forms: • Eligibility Information Sheet; • Request for Name Check; • Optional Application for Federal Employment (or current Resume); • Confidential Financial Disclosure Sheet; • Waiver of Claims Against the Government.

7. III. Application Process • When sending in an application, you are encouraged to use a mail delivery system that provides a return receipt or some other method of tracking your submission.

8. III. Please mail to….. • Chantel Sollers – National SGE Coordinator US Department of Labor-OSHA 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Room N-3700 Washington, DC 20210 Phone: (202) 693-2213

9. IV. SGE general information.. • All SGE’s are initially appointed for 3 year term of service. • SGE’s serve at the request of the Assistant Secretary for OSHA. • Service as an SGE is contingent upon proper ethical conduct.

10. IV. Roles of Special Government Employee • SGE’s have the opportunity to participate in assessments of VPP applicants’ or participants’ safety and health management system.

11. V. Team duties include but not are not limited to: • Reviewing the written safety and health management system and supporting documents; • Conducting a site walkthrough to observe working conditions; • Verify that : 1) Hazards are being properly controlled or eliminated;

12. V.… Cont.. Team duties • Verify that: 2) A comprehensive safety and health management system has been successfully implemented; • 3) Conducting formal and informal employee interviews.

13. V. SGE Training • Must attend a 3-day OSHA training course; • Include an overview of the OSHA VPP SGE Program; • Discussion about roles and responsibilities of an SGE; • OSHA provides the training free of charge.

14. SGE’s must sworn in at the conclusion of the class.

15. SGE Benefit • SGE’s can waive the cost for the courses offered at the OSHA Training Institute or satellites. • Need to be an Active SGE to be eligible. • Conduct 1 or more VPP onsite visits during term.

16. 2008 SGE Class – We are READY!!!

17. SGE of the YEAR- Annual National VPPPA Conference-2009 • Unique opportunity to be recognized nation-wide for your commitment and excellent performance during your VPP onsite evaluations. • Robert Sander, SGE, US Postal Service, and Jordan Barab, Acting Assistant Secretary-OSHA.

18. 2010 Winners

19. For more information -SGE Program… • OSHA webpage-Click on SGE to see the upcoming new VPP onsite audits and the recertifications • To know where and when OSHA is going to offer the next SGE training course

20. REGION VII: NEXT SGE COURSE • On July 12 - 14, 2011 • At Monsanto Headquarter in St. Louis, MO • Instructor: Matt Gaines Robert Sander Mike Minicky Jon Alexander

21. QUESTIONS????