Information of EHS Federal Agencies & Regulations

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) http://www.epa.gov Synopsis: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implements the Federal laws designed to promote public health by protecting our Nation's air, water, and soil from harmful pollution. EPA endeavors to accomplish its mission systematically by proper integration of a variety of research, monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement activities. As a complement to its other activities, EPA coordinates and supports research and anti-pollution activities of state and local governments, private and public groups, individuals, and educational institutions. EPA also monitors the operations of other federal agencies with respect to their impact on the environment. EPA was created through Reorganization Plan #3 of 1970, which was devised to consolidate the Federal Government's environmental regulatory activities under the jurisdiction of a single agency. The Plan was sent by President Nixon to Congress on July 9, 1970, and the Agency began operation on December 2, 1970. EPA was formed by bringing together 15 components from five executive departments and independent agencies. Air pollution control, solid waste management, radiation control, and the drinking water program were transferred from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (now the Department of Health and Human Services). The Federal Water Pollution Control Program was taken from the Department of the Interior, as was part of a pesticide research program. From the Department of Agriculture, EPA acquired authority to register pesticides and to regulate their use, and from the Food and Drug Administration it inherited the responsibility to set tolerance levels for pesticides in food. EPA was assigned some responsibility for setting environmental radiation protection standards from the Atomic Energy Commission, and absorbed the duties of the Federal Radiation Council. The enactment of major new environmental laws and important amendments to older laws in the 1970s and 80s greatly expanded EPA's responsibilities. The following environmental laws establish EPA�s authority (http://www.epa.gov/history/org/origins/laws.htm): Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) PL 99-519, Title II of TSCA [Oct. 22, 1986]. Asbestos Information Act of 1988 42 USC 7401, 7412, 7414, 7416 (amends Clean Air Act) [Nov. 1, 1988] Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act (ASHAA) PL 98-377, Title II of TSCA [May 24, 1982] Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act PL 106-40; 42 USC 7412(r)--amends Section 112(r) of Clean Air Act [Jan. 6, 1999] Clean Air Act (CAA) 42 U.S.C. s/s 7401 et seq. [Dec. 31, 1970] and Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 [42 U.S.C. s/s 7401 et seq. (Nov. 15, 1990)] Clean Water Act 33 U.S.C. s/s 121 et seq. [Dec. 28, 1977] Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund) 42 U.S.C. s/s 9601 et seq. [Dec. 11, 1980] Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) 42 U.S.C. 11011 et seq. (Title III of Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act of 1986--SARA) [Oct. 17, 1986] Endangered Species Act (ESA) 7 U.S.C. 136; 16 U.S.C. 460 et seq. [Aug. 3, 1973] Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), Delaney Clause 21 U.S.C. 409. [1958]; Certain pesticide regulatory functions transferred from FDA and USDA to EPA through Reorganization Plan #3 of 1970. [July 9, 1970]; EPA announced new negligible risk approach to regulating pesticides in food. [Oct. 12, 1988] Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 7 U.S.C. s/s 135 et seq. [Oct. 21, 1972]; Original FIFRA passed in 1947; Oct. 21, 1972 Amendment was also known as the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act; Significant new amendments related to pesticide re-registration requirements, storage and disposal of suspended/canceled pesticides, indemnity payments, and enforcement issues. [Oct. 25, 1988] Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) P.L. 104-170; 110 Stat. 1489 (amended FIFRA and FFDCA) [Aug. 3, 1996] Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 5 U.S. Code s/s 552 [July 4, 1966] Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA) PL 100-551, Title III of TSCA [Oct. 28, 1988] Lead Contamination Control Act of 1988 PL 100-572 (amends Safe Drinking Water Act) [Nov. 1, 1988] Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) 33 USC 1401 et seq; PL 92-532 [Oct. 23, 1972] National Environmental Education Act (NEEA) PL 101-619 [Nov. 16, 1990] National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347 [Jan. 1, 1970] Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 29 U.S.C. 61 et seq. [Dec. 17, 1970] Ocean Dumping Ban Act (ODBA) PL 100-688 (amendment to Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act) [Nov. 18, 1988] Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) 33 U.S.C. 2702-2761 [Aug. 18, 1990] Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) 42 U.S.C. 13101 and 13102, s/s et seq. (part of Omnibus Budget Reconcilation Act of 1990, P.L. 101-508) [Nov. 5, 1990] Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act PL 102-550, Title IV of TSCA [Oct. 28, 1992] Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 42 U.S.C. S/s 321 et seq. [Oct. 21, 1976] Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) 43 U.S.C. s/s 300f et. seq. [Dec. 16, 1974] Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq. [Oct. 17, 1986] Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 15 U.S.C. s/s 2601 et seq. [Oct. 11, 1976] The Agency now administers ten comprehensive environmental protection laws (http://www.epa.gov/epahome/laws.htm#disclaim): The Clean Air Act (CAA) The Clean Water Act (CWA) The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund) The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) The Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) The Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)
Top	Among the environmental laws enacted by Congress through which EPA carries out its efforts are (http://www.epa.gov/epahome/lawintro.htm#carrying ): History of Regulations 1938 - Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 1947 - Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 1948 - Federal Water Pollution Control Act (a.k.a. The Clean Water Act) 1955 - Clean Air Act 1965 - Shoreline Erosion Protection Act 1965 - Solid Waste Disposal Act 1970 - National Environmental Policy Act 1970 - Pollution Prevention Packaging Act 1970 - Resource Recovery Act 1971 - Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act 1972 - Coastal Zone Management Act 1972 - Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act 1972 - Ocean Dumping Act 1973 - Endangered Species Act 1974 - Safe Drinking Water Act 1974 - Shoreline Erosion Control Demonstration Act 1975 - Hazardous Materials Transportation Act 1976 - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 1976 - Toxic Substances Control Act 1977 - Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 1978 - Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act 1980 - Asbestos School Hazard Detection and Control Act 1980 - Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 1982 - Nuclear Waste Policy Act 1984 - Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act 1986 - Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act 1986 - Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act 1988 - Indoor Radon Abatement Act 1988 - Lead Contamination Control Act 1988 - Medical Waste Tracking Act 1988 - Ocean Dumping Ban Act 1988 - Shore Protection Act 1990 - National Environmental Education Act The EPA comprises the following agencies: Office of Air and Radiation Office of Water Office of Solid Waste Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances Office of Research and Development Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance The following is summary information for each of these agencies. Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) Synopsis: EPA�s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) deals with issues that affect the quality of our air and protection from exposure to harmful radiation. OAR develops national programs, technical policies, and regulations for controlling air pollution and radiation exposure. Areas of concern to OAR include: indoor and outdoor air quality, stationary and mobile sources of air pollution, radon, acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion, radiation protection, and pollution prevention. http://www.epa.gov/oar/ Office of Water (OW) Synopsis: EPA�s Office of Water is responsible for the EPA�s water quality activities including development of national programs, technical policies, and regulations relating to drinking water, water quality, ground water, pollution source standards, and the protection of wetlands, marine, and estuarine areas. http://www.epa.gov/ow/ Office of Solid Waste (OSW) Synopsis: EPA�s Office of Solid Waste provides policy, guidance, and direction for the land disposal of hazardous wastes, underground storage tanks, solid waste management, encouragement of innovative technologies, source reduction of wastes, and the Superfund Program. http://www.epa.gov/osw/ Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Synopsis: EPA�s Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances develops national strategies for toxic substance control and promotes pollution prevention and the public�s right to know about chemical risks. http://www.epa.gov/internet/oppts/ Office of Research and Development (ORD) Synopsis: EPA�s Office of Research and Development (ORD) is the principal scientific and research arm of the EPA. ORD conducts research and fosters the use of science and technology in fulfilling EPA's mission. ORD is organized into three national laboratories and two national centers located in a dozen facilities around the country and in Washington, DC. http://www.epa.gov/ord/ Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) Synopsis: EPA�s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), working in partnership with EPA Regional Offices, State Governments, Tribal Governments and other Federal agencies, ensures compliance with the nation's environmental laws. Employing an integrated approach of compliance assistance, compliance incentives and innovative civil and criminal enforcement, OECA and its partners seek to maximize compliance and reduce threats to public health and the environment. http://es.epa.gov/oeca/
Top	U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) http://www.dot.gov Synopsis: Established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, the Departments first official day of operation was April 1, 1967. The mission of the DOT is to: Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future. The DOT consists of the Office of the Secretary and eleven individual operating administrations. These include the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, US Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Maritime Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Research and Special Programs Administration, the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, the Surface Transportation Board and the Transportation Administrative Services Center.
Top	U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) http://www.osha.gov/ Synopsis: In 1970, Congress established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As defined in its enabling legislation, P.L. 91-596, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's mission is to "Assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions". This mandate involves the application of a set of tools by OSHA (e.g., standards development, enforcement, compliance assistance), which enable employers to maintain safe and healthful workplaces. OSHA is headed by an Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. The Agency is organized functionally, with major programs grouped into Directorates headed by members of the Senior Executive Service. Programs are carried out by Regional Offices and subordinate Area and District Offices (or, in the case of the San Francisco Region, Service Centers). Major organizational elements are: Office of the Assistant Secretary Advises and assists the Secretary of Labor on all matters related to the policies and programs that are to assure safe and healthful working conditions for the working men and women of the Nation, and provides executive direction to the occupational safety and health program. Directorate of Health Standards Programs Develops and promulgates workplace standards and regulations to ensure healthful working conditions for the Nation's workforce. Directorate of Safety Standards Programs Provides workplace standards and regulations to ensure safe working conditions for the Nation's workers. Directorate of Compliance Programs Provides a balanced program of compliance for OSHA; establishes and maintains a comprehensive occupational safety and health compliance guidance and assistance program; and establishes and maintains discrimination complaint investigation programs. Directorate of Federal/State Operations Provides for the development, evaluation, and performance analysis of State occupational safety and health programs; educates and trains employers and employees in the recognition, avoidance and prevention of unsafe and unhealthful working conditions; provides for a program of consultation and advice to employers and employees and their representative organizations as to effective means of preventing occupational injuries and illnesses; and develops, implements and evaluates voluntary programs in cooperation with industry, labor and their representatives. Directorate of Technical Support Serves as the principal source of Agency expertise with respect to scientific, engineering, and medical issues involved in the overall occupational safety and health field; and provides technical assistance and support to all other National Office and Regional Office organizations of the Agency. Directorate of Construction Serves as OSHA's principal source for standards, regulations, policy, programs, and assistance to OSHA Offices, other Federal agencies, the construction industry, and the general public with respect to construction safety and health. Directorate of Policy Reconciles the views of Congress, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Secretary of Labor, and the public as to the role of OSHA into a consistent and coherent Agency policy, taking into consideration the economic, technical, and political consequences of Agency actions, including the effects of Agency policies and actions with regard to small businesses. Directorate of Information Technology Provides a comprehensive, integrated management information, data collection and analysis, and networked communications program for the Occupational Safety and Health administration. Directorate of Administrative Programs Provides administrative management support to the OSHA in the areas of management data and statistics coordination, personnel management, program budgeting and planning, financial control, administrative management systems, and National Office administrative services.
	Regional Administrators Plan, direct, and administer comprehensive occupational safety and health programs throughout OSHA's regions.