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http://www.epa.gov
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 Agency now administers ten comprehensive environmental protection laws (http://www.epa.gov/epahome/laws.htm#disclaim):
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Top | Among the environmental laws enacted by Congress through which EPA carries out its efforts are (http://www.epa.gov/epahome/lawintro.htm#carrying ):
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 - 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 - 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 - Lead Contamination Control Act 1988 - Ocean Dumping Ban Act 1988 - Shore Protection Act 1990 - National Environmental Education Act
The EPA comprises the following agencies:
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. 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. Office of Solid Waste (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. Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA)
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Top | U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 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:
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.
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Top | U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 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.
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| Regional Administrators Plan, direct, and administer comprehensive occupational safety and health programs throughout OSHA's regions. |