Executive Order 12566 --
Safety Belt Use Requirements for Federal Employees
Each
year, thousands of lives could be saved and injuries prevented if motorists
would use their safety belts. The annual cost to society of these needless
deaths and injuries is currently in excess of $32 billion. Taxpayers bear a
large share of this cost. The estimated annual cost to Federal, State, and
local governments as a result of auto accidents is $11 billion. I have
determined that an on-the-job safety belt use policy for Federal employees will
reduce human pain and suffering, set an example for the private sector, and
reduce the burden on the taxpayers caused by motor vehicle accidents.
Accordingly,
by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the
United States of America, including Section 7902(c) of Title 5 of the United
States Code and Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970,
as amended (29 U.S.C. 668), it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. Each
Federal employee occupying the front seat of a motor vehicle on official
business, whose seat is equipped with a safety belt, shall have the safety belt
properly fastened at all times when the vehicle is in motion.
Sec. 2. Scope of Order.
All agencies of the Executive branch are directed to promulgate rules and take
all appropriate measures within their existing employee occupational safety and
health programs to carry out the purposes of this Order. This includes, but is
not limited to, conducting an education program for employees about the
requirements of this Order. The term ``agency'' as used in this Order means an
Executive Department, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 101, or any employing unit or
authority of the Federal government, other than those of the Legislative and
Judicial branches. The Secretary of Labor shall cooperate and consult with the
heads of agencies in the Legislative and Judicial branches of the Government to
encourage and help them adopt safety belt use programs. The Secretary of Labor
shall also submit an annual report to the President that includes the status of
on-the-job belt use by Federal employees.
Sec. 3. Coordination.
The Secretary of Transportation shall provide leadership and guidance to the
heads of agencies to assist them with the employee safety belt programs
established pursuant to this Order.
Sec. 4. Other Powers and
Duties. (a) Nothing in this Order shall be construed to impair or alter
the powers and duties of the heads of the various Federal agencies pursuant to
Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, or to Sections
7901, 7902, and 7903 of Title 5 of the United States Code, nor shall it be construed
to affect any right, duty, or procedure under the National Labor Relations Act.
(b)
The Secretary of Defense shall be responsible for implementation of all
provisions of this Order insofar as they apply to military personnel of the
Department of Defense.
Sec. 5. Causes of Action.
Nothing in this Order shall be construed to create a new cause of action
against the
Ronald
Reagan
The
White House,
[Filed
with the Office of the Federal Register,