Division of Safety & Health - DOSH              

PESH - Public Employee Safety & Health

Public Workplace Violence Prevention Links

H1N1 Flu- Although it is unclear how severe this flu virus will become, all public employers are encouraged to review their strategies for protecting their employees.  The PESH position is that the recommendation of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will need to be followed by employers.  For links to the CDC website press here. 

Emergency Escape, Self Rescue Ropes & System Components for Firefighters - 12 NYCRR Section 800.7

Did you recently receive a Notice from the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics?

Who are we?

The Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau (PESH) was created in 1980 under the PESH Act to provide occupational safety and health protection to all public sector employees at the state and local level. PESH enforces all safety and health standards promulgated under the United States Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Public sector employers include State, County, Town, Village governments, Public Authorities, School Districts, Paid and Volunteer Fire Departments. PESH responds to fatalities or multiple hospitalizations of public employees, complaints from public employees or their representatives, and also conducts programmed inspections of public employer work sites, and provides technical assistance during times of a statewide emergency.

What services do we provide?

PESH is divided into two branches.

The Enforcement branch conducts unannounced mandatory inspections which may result in a “Notice of Violation and Order to Comply” for hazards and/or violations of OSHA standards which have been adopted by New York State. Abatement periods for the employer to come into compliance are established and verification of abatement is required. Violations not complied during the abatement period are subject to a penalty, not to exceed $200 per calendar day until compliance is achieved.

The Consultation branch provides free consultation surveys at the request of a public employer. The scope of these surveys are at the discretion of the employer. A written report with hazards identified and recommendations for correction of each hazard is provided to the employer. Consultants are also available to provide assistance with training of employees and correction of violations cited as a result of an enforcement inspection. All consultation activities are completely separate and kept confidential from the Enforcement Branch. PESH has also created strategic work groups for identified high hazard jobs that work with employers to lower the incidence of injuries and illnesses to public employees. Currently such groups are focusing on the fire service, highway repair and construction, and long term health care.

How can PESH benefit you?

• Elimination of workplace hazards lowers lost work time of employees and related insurance and manpower costs to the employer.
• Training and technical assistance for employers to comply with regulations, and employees to work safer to lower injuries to employees.
• Provide safety and health expertise to employers to answer any questions concerning safety and health issues on potential hazards of current or proposed equipment or procedures.
• Assistance in the development of all written programs required under an OSHA standard.
• Public speaking engagements or presentations to provide information on new or existing standards and to educate public sector employers on reducing workplace injuries and illnesses.

Complaint Forms:

New York state or local government employees or their official representatives may file a complaint with the Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau if they believe a violation of a safety or health standard exists at their worksite. The form (PESH 7) to file  a complaint is available here in PDF format.  The completed and signed form can be mailed or faxed to the nearest PESH district office.

Petition to Modify an Abatement Date

A public sector employer may apply for a Petition to Modify an Abatement Date. This would be done when the employer is unable to comply with a violation because of unavailability of professional or technical personnel, or of materials and equipment needed to come into compliance. In addition, the employer must be able to prove that all available steps are being taken to protect the employees exposed to the hazard and to institute an effective program for coming into compliance as soon as possible. The form (SH 971) to file  a "Petition to Modify an Abatement Date" is available here in PDF format

Employee Injury and Illness Recordkeeping Information and Forms:

• Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses SH900,
• The Annual Summary SH 900.1  
• Recordkeeping rule: Part 801 
• Instructions for Recording and Reporting Public Employees' Occupational Injuries and Illnesses: SH901 
• Injury and Illness Incident Report: SH900.2 

Please click here to obtain a printable version of the Public Employees Job Safety and Health Protection poster, which should be conspicuously posted in your workplace.

PESH Field Operation Manual (FOM) now available  

The Field Operation Manual is utilized by the PESH Program.  Any questions or interpretations of its contents should be directed to PESH at 518-457-5508