Reclamation Safety and Health Standards
As an agency, Reclamation has a responsibility to provide a safe and healthful working environment for all employees. Safety is a benefit to the individual, enhances productivity and quality in an organization, and provides positive results for the public taxpayer. The Bureau of Reclamation has long been actively engaged in the implementation of safety and health standards, and our future success depends, in part, on an aggressive commitment to the safety and occupational health program. Such commitment is integral to the Reclamation culture and is indicative of the pride we take in excellent performance.
Although this written safety document is extremely important, it is but one aspect of a comprehensive Reclamation safety program. Supervisors and managers throughout Reclamation aggressively encourage safe behavior and enforce safety procedures in every job. It is essential that all of us demonstrate safety leadership and foster a safe, productive culture.
Please submit questions, comments, or recommendations for revision to Charles 'Buddy' Byrd (Buddy Byrd).
Sections listed below were revised in June 2024 unless a later date is noted.
Download the Consolidated RSHS Sections
Section 0.0 — Table of Contents (2024)
Section 1.01 — Scope, Authority, and Purpose (2024)
Section 1.02 – General Requirements (2024)
Section 1.03 — Contractor Requirements (2024)
Section 1.04 — Work Safety Planning (2024)
Section 1.05 — Medical Services and First Aid (2024)
Section 1.06 — Emergency Plans (2024)
Section 1.07 — Health Hazard Assessments (2024)
Section 1.08 — Personal Protective Equipment (2024)
Section 1.09 – Signs, Signals, and Barricades (2024)
Section 1.10 – Electrical Safety Requirements (2024)
Section 1.11 – Standards for Material Handling, Storage, and Disposal (2024)
Section 1.12 — Confined Spaces and Permit Required Confined Spaces (2024)
Section 1.13 — Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) (2024)
Section 1.14 — Fall Protection (2024)
Section 1.15 — Hand Tools, Power Tools, Pressure Vessels, Compressors, and Welding (2024)
Section 1.16 — Hazardous Materials Emergency Response (2024)
Section 1.17 — Lone Worker and Remote Worker Safety (2024)
Section 1.18 – Life Safety Code Program (2024)
Section 1.19 — Hazard Communication Program (2024)
Section 1.20 — Safety and Occupational Health Program Evaluations (2024)
Section 1.21 — Motor Vehicle Safety (2024)
Section 1.24 — Collateral Duty Safety Representatives (2024)
Section 2.01 — Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories(2024)
Section 2.02 — Asbestos (2024)
Section 2.03 – Lead Exposure Control Program (2024)
Section 2.04 — Heat and Cold Stress (2024)
Section 2.05 — Ionizing and Nonionizing Radiation (2024)
Section 2.06 — Health Hazard Assessments (2024)
Section 2.07 — Hearing Loss Prevention Program (2024)
Section 2.08 — Respiratory Protection Program (2024)
Section 2.09 — Bloodborne Pathogens (2024)
Section 3.01 — Materials Handling, Storage, and Disposal (2024)
Section 3.02 — Slings, Rigging Hardware, and Wire Rope (2024)
Section 3.03 — Permanently Installed (Fixed) Cranes (2024)
Section 3.04 — Mobile Cranes (2024)
Section 3.05 — Mobile Mechanized Equipment (2024)
Section 4.01 — Excavation Operations (2024)
Section 4.02 — Tunnel and Shaft Construction (2024)
Section 4.03 — Blasting (2024)
Section 4.04 — Concrete, Masonry, and Framework (2024)
Section 4.05 — Steel Erection (2024)
Section 4.06 — Reclamation Drilling Standards (2024)
Section 4.07 — Diving Operations (2024)
Section 4.08 — Tower Climbing Safety (2024)
Section 4.09 — Work Zone Safety (2024)
Section 4.11 — Watercraft and Dredging (2024)
Section 4.12 — Specialty Use Equipment (2024)
Section 4.13 – Towable Trailer Safety (2024)
Appendix B – Additional References and Citations
Appendix 4B – Job Hazard Analysis
Appendix 39A – Annual Motor Vehicle Operator’s Certification (2024)
