Overview
Texas. Occupational Safety Board.
Records
1967-1984
Types of records
include minutes, correspondence, memos, budget worksheets, contracts, safety
standards, public hearing exhibits, a scrapbook, and cassette and reel-to-reel
audio tapes. Dates covered are 1967-1984. Records consist of materials from the
Texas Occupational Safety Board and its General Advisory Occupational Safety
Committee. Records include meeting files from both organizations, public
hearings held by the board on the adoption of various safety standards, files
related to the board's working relationship with the U.S. Department of Labor
and OSHA, and internal administrative files.
3.6 cubic
ft.
English.
Restrictions on Access
None.
Restrictions on Use
None.
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item and cite the series), Records, Occupational
Safety Board, Texas Department of Health. Archives and Information Services
Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Agency History
The Texas Occupational Safety Board was in existence from 1967 to
1985. It was created by HB 559, the Occupational Safety Act, 60th Legislature,
Regular Session, in 1967. The board was charged with adopting and enforcing
safety regulations to alleviate dangers to workers and with issuing annual
reports concerning industrial accidents and their causes. The Occupational
Safety Board consisted of three members: the Commissioner of Health, the
Commissioner of Labor and Standards, and one public member appointed by the
Governor for a term of two years to serve as chairman.
The Occupational Safety Board administered the Occupational Safety
Division within the Texas State Department of Health. The Occupational Safety
Division was also created by the Occupational Safety Act of 1967. The board
employed a state safety engineer as director of the Occupational Safety
Division. Walter G. Martin was hired as the state safety engineer and held that
position from 1967 to 1984. In addition, the board appointed a General Advisory
Occupational Safety Committee to aid it in promulgating rules for occupational
safety codes. The committee was composed of ten representatives of employers,
ten representatives of employees, with the state safety engineer acting as
chairman. Public hearings were held before the adoption of any rules or
amendments to the codes.
Activities of the Occupational Safety Division included enforcement of
the safety codes, inspection of job sites, and conducting an annual survey of
occupational injuries and illnesses. Regional engineers made safety inspections
of firms which owed for workmen's compensation insurance and special
investigations were made in cases of catastrophic accidents involving multiple
injuries or deaths.
The passage of Public Law 91-596, the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970, by the U.S. Congress, created a federal system of safety and
health standards. These were to be administered by the new Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) within the U.S. Department of Labor. In order
to avoid dual or conflicting state and federal safety standards, the Texas
Occupational Safety Board had to work out a compliance plan with the U.S.
Department of Labor and OSHA. By 1975, a plan had been adopted that reconciled
existing state safety standards with OSHA's new federal standards. The division
also contracted with OSHA to provide free, on-site inspections for OSHA
standards, as consultants to Texas employers. Under other contracts with the
Department of Labor, the division continued to conduct its annual occupational
injury and illness survey among Texas employers to determine the state's injury
and illness incidence rates.
In 1985, the Occupational Safety Board was abolished by HB 2091, 69th
Texas Legislature, Regular Session. Administrative responsibility for the
Occupational Safety Division was absorbed by the Texas Department of Health.
The overall functions of the division remained unchanged.
Scope and Contents of the Records
Types of records include minutes, correspondence, memos, budget
worksheets, contracts, safety standards, public hearing exhibits, a scrapbook,
and cassette and reel-to-reel audio tapes. Dates covered are 1967-1984. Records
consist of materials from the Texas Occupational Safety Board and its General
Advisory Occupational Safety Committee. Records include meeting files from both
organizations, public hearings held by the board on the adoption of various
safety standards, files related to the board's working relationship with the
U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA, and internal administrative files.
To prepare this preliminary inventory, the desrcibed materials were
cursorily reviewed to delineate series, to confirm the accuracy of contents
lists, to provide an estimate of dates covered, and to determine record
types.
Organization of the Records
These records are arranged in six series and five sub-series:
- Meeting files, 1967-1980, 1982-1984, 1.4 cubic ft.
- Occupational Safety Board, 1967-1984, 0.4 cubic ft.
- General Advisory Occupational Safety Committee, 1968-1974, 1
cubic ft.
- Adoption of safety standards, Public hearings, 1969-1973, 1.4
cubic ft.
- U.S. Department of Labor files, 1972-1980, 0.4 cubic ft.
- Texas Plan for the Compliance with the U.S. Occupational
Safety and Health Act, 1972-1974, 0.2 cubic ft.
- Statistical contracts, 1978-1980, 0.1 cubic ft.
- Consultation contracts, 1975-1980, 0.1 cubic ft.
- Administrative files, 1967-1973, 0.1 cubic ft.
- Public engagements scrapbook, 1967-1970, 0.1 cubic ft.
- Miscellaneous audio tapes, 1981-1982, 0.2 cubic ft.
Index Terms
The terms listed here were used to catalog the
records. The terms can be used to find similar or related records.
Corporate Names:
Texas. Occupational
Safety Board. General Advisory Occupational Safety Committee.
Texas. Occupational
Safety Division.
Subjects:
Industrial safety--Texas.
Industrial hygiene--Texas.
Safety regulations--Texas.
Document Types:
Memorandums--Texas--Industrial
safety--1967-1984.
Correspondence--Texas--Industrial safety--1967-1984.
Minutes--Texas--Industrial
safety--1967-1984.
Budgets--Texas--Industrial
safety--1967-1984.
Audio
tapes--Texas--Industrial safety--1967-1984.
Contracts--Texas--Industrial
safety--1967-1984.
Functions:
Adopting safety
regulations.
Enforcing safety
regulations.
Related Material
The following materials are offered as
possible sources of further information on the agencies and subjects covered by
the records. The listing is not exhaustive.
Texas State
Archives
Texas Workers Compensation Commission, Records, 1961-1988, 2
cubic ft.
Texas Workers Compensation Commission, Minutes, 1994-2001,
2.31 cubic ft.
Texas Industrial Accident Board, Records, 1913-1956, 30
linear ft., 2 in.
Texas Department of Health, Occupational Safety Division,
Administrative records, 1967-1979, 3 cubic ft.
Processing Information
Paul B. Beck, December 1990
Accession Information
Accession number: 1990/146
These records were transferred to the Texas State Archives by the
Occupational Safety and Health Division Safety Branch of the Texas Department
of Health on June 29, 1990.
Detailed Description of the Records
Meeting files,
1967-1980, 1982-1984,
1.4 cubic ft.
Records consist of minutes and audio tape recordings of meetings
of the Occupational Safety Board and its General Advisory Occupational Safety
Committee. Dates covered are 1967-1980, 1982-1984.
Organization of the Records
The records are organized into two series:
- Occupational Safety Board, 1967-1980, 1982-1984, 0.4 cubic
ft.
- General Advisory Occupational Safety Committee, 1968-1972,
1974, 1 cubic ft.
Occupational Safety Board,
1967-1980, 1982-1984,
0.4 cubic ft.
Minutes cover the regular meetings of the Texas Occupational
Safety Board from its inceptional meeting in 1967 through 1984. The board
normally met quarterly until 1977, then began meeting less frequently. There
are no board minutes from 1981. Audio recordings of board meetings were made in
1982-1983 and are on cassette tapes.
Organization of the Records
The records are organized into two groups: Minutes and cassette
tapes. The records are arranged chronologically within each group.
Index Terms
The terms listed here were used to catalog
the records. The terms can be used to find similar or related
records.
Corporate Names:
Texas. Occupational
Safety Board. General Advisory Occupational Safety Committee.
Texas. Occupational
Safety Board.
Subjects:
Industrial
safety--Texas.
Industrial
hygiene--Texas.
Safety
regulations--Texas.
Document Types:
Minutes--Texas--Industrial safety--1967-1984.
Audio
tapes--Texas--Industrial safety--1968-1974.
Audio
cassettes--Texas--Industrial safety--1982-1983.
Functions:
Adopting safety
regulations.
Enforcing safety
regulations.
Minutes
1990/146-1
1.
1967-1971
1990/146-1
2.
1972
1990/146-1
3.
1973
1990/146-1
4.
1974
1990/146-1
5.
1975
1990/146-1
6.
1976
1990/146-1
7.
1977-1980
1990/146-1
8.
1982
1990/146-1
9.
1983-1984
Cassette tapes
1990/146-3
1.
April 2, 1982
1990/146-3
2.
July 23, 1982
1990/146-3
3-4.
March 11, 1983
[two cassettes]
1990/146-3
5.
June 3, 1983
General Advisory Occupational Safety
Committee,
1968-1972, 1974,
1 cubic ft.
Records consist of minutes and audio tape recordings of meetings
of the General Advisory Occupational Safety Committee of the Occupational
Safety Board, dating 1968-1972 and 1974. The committee was a panel of safety
and health experts appointed by the board to assist it in drafting safety
standards. The committee met as needed to draft standards. The first meeting of
the committee was in 1968. Apparently, the committee did not meet in 1973.
Organization of the Records
The records are organized into two groups: Minutes and
reel-to-reel tapes. The records are arranged chronologically within each
group.
Minutes
1990/146-1
10.
1968-1972, 1974
Reel-to-Reel
tapes
1990/146-3
6-7.
April 19, 1968
[two tapes]
1990/146-3
8-9.
August 1, 1969
[two tapes]
1990/146-3
10.
September 15, 1969
1990/146-3
11-12.
December 12, 1969
[two tapes]
1990/146-3
13.
March 20, 1970
1990/146-3
14-15.
June 19, 1970
[two tapes]
1990/146-3
16.
September 18, 1970
1990/146-3
17-18.
December 11, 1970
1990/146-3
19-20.
March 18, 1971
1990/146-3
21-22.
June 17-18, 1971
1990/146-3
23.
September 9, 1971
1990/146-3
24.
October 21, 1971
1990/146-3
25.
December 8, 1971
1990/146-3
26-30.
March 14, 1972
[five tapes]
1990/146-3
31.
April 7, 1972
1990/146-3
32.
July 11, 1972
1990/146-3
33.
April 17, 1974
Adoption of safety standards, Public hearings,
1969-1973,
1.4 cubic ft.
Records are from public hearings held by the Texas Occupational
Safety Board to consider the adoption of mechanical and industrial safety and
health standards. Records include minutes, agenda, cover letters and memos,
attendance sign-in sheets, exhibits, and reel-to-reel audio recordings of the
meetings. Dates covered are 1969-1973. Exhibits include incoming correspondence
containing comments on proposed standards from concerned parties, copies of the
Federal Register, newspaper announcements, press releases, and copies of the
proposed standards.
Organization of the Records
The records are organized into two groups: Public hearings and
reel-to-reel tapes. The records are arranged chronologically within each
group.
Index Terms
The terms listed here were used to catalog
the records. The terms can be used to find similar or related
records.
Subjects:
Industrial
safety--Texas.
Industrial
hygiene--Texas.
Safety
regulations--Texas.
Document Types:
Minutes--Texas--Industrial safety--1969-1973.
Agenda--Texas--Industrial safety--1969-1973.
Audio
tapes--Texas--Industrial safety--1969-1973.
Press
releases--Texas--Industrial safety--1969-1973.
Clippings--Texas--Industrial
safety--1969-1973.
Functions:
Adopting safety
regulations.
Enforcing safety
regulations.
Public hearings
1990/146-1
11.
1) Woodworking Machinery and 2) Abrasive Wheels,
March 21, 1969
1990/146-1
12.
1) Power Presses, 2) Fixed Ladders, 3) Floor and Wall
Openings, Railings and Toe Boards,
July 11, 1969
1990/146-1
13.
1) Manlifts, 2) Fixes Industrial Stairs, and, 3)
Identification of Piping Systems,
February 27, 1970
1990/146-1
14.
1) Explosive-Actuated Tools, 2) Mechanical Power
Transmission Apparatus, and, 3) Conveyors, Cableways, and Related Equipment,
May 4, 1970
1990/146-1
15.
1) Workmen's Hoists, 2) Material Hoists, and 3)
External Lighting,
August 21, 1970
1990/146-1
16.
1) Excavation Work and Shoring, 2) Mills and Calendars
Used in the Rubber and Plastics Industries, and 3) Explosive Actuated Tools,
December 4, 1970
1990/146-1
17.
1) Forging and Hot Metal Stamping, 2) Identification
of Gas Mask Canisters, 3) Laundry and Dry Cleaning Equipment, and 4) Floor and
Wall Openings, Railings and Toe Boards,
May 14, 1971
1990/146-1
18.
1) Derrick Cranes, 2) Crawler, Locomotive and Truck
Cranes, 3) Overhead and Gantry Cranes, 4) Shore-Based Material Handling
Devices, and 5) Welding and Cutting,
July 23, 1971
1990/146-1
19.
All Federal Standards,
August 27, 1971
1990/146-1
20.
1) Window Cleaning, 2) Prevention of Dust Explosions
in the Plastics Industry, 3) Foundations and Guying of Drilling and Well
Servicing Structures for the Oil and Gas Industries,
February 4, 1972
1990/146-1
21.
1) Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators, and Moving
Walks, and 2) Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia,
April 14, 1972
1990/146-1
22.
All Federal Standards,
May 12, 1972
1990/146-1
23.
Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing,
January 31, 1973
Reel-to-reel tapes - Adoption of
safety standards
1990/146-4
1.
March 21, 1969
1990/146-4
2.
July 11, 1969
1990/146-4
3.
February 27, 1970
1990/146-4
4.
May 4, 1970
1990/146-4
5.
August 21, 1970
1990/146-4
6.
December 4, 1970
1990/146-4
7.
May 14, 1971
[two tapes]
1990/146-4
8.
July 23, 1971
1990/146-4
9.
August 27, 1971
1990/146-4
10.
February 4, 1972
1990/146-4
11.
April 14, 1972
1990/146-4
12.
May 12, 1972
1990/146-4
13.
January 31, 1973
[two tapes]
U.S. Department of Labor files,
1972-1980,
0.4 cubic ft.
The Occupational Safety Board and the Occupational Safety Division
worked with the U.S. Department of Labor in its implementation of several
provisions of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (PL
91-596). This Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) and began the implementation of federal safety standards.
These records include correspondence, memos, reports, budget
worksheets, contracts, and exhibits. The records cover the years 1972-1980 and
concern the Texas Occupational Safety Board and the Occupational Safety
Division of the Texas Department of Health.
Organization of the Records
The records are organized into three subseries:
- Texas Plan for Compliance with the U.S. Occupational Safety
and Health Act, 1972-1974, 0.2 cubic ft.
- Statistical contracts, 1978-1980, 0.1 cubic ft.
- Consultation contracts, 1975-1980, 0.2 cubic ft.
Index Terms
The terms listed here were used to catalog
the records. The terms can be used to find similar or related
records.
Corporate Names:
United States.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
Texas. Occupational
Safety Division.
Subjects:
Industrial
safety--Texas.
Industrial
hygiene--Texas.
Safety
regulations--Texas.
Document Types:
Memorandums--Texas--Industrial
safety--1972-1980.
Correspondence--Texas--Industrial safety--1972-1980.
Budgets--Texas--Industrial safety--1972-1980.
Reports--Texas--Industrial safety--1972-1980.
Contracts--Texas--Industrial
safety--1972-1980.
Functions:
Adopting safety
regulations.
Enforcing safety
regulations.
Texas Plan for Compliance with the
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act,
1972-1974,
0.2 cubic ft.
The passage of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act
establishd federal safety and health standards that had to be resolved with
existing state standards. Each state drew up plans and proposed enabling
legislation, subject to federal approval, for its own Occupational Safety and
Health Plan. These plans would reconcile state and federal safety practices,
recognize the respective authority of each, and implement other provisions of
the Act that required state and federal cooperation.
Records concern the development and adoption of the Texas State
Plan over the course of several years. Types of records include correspondence,
memos, reports, statements and exhibits from a public hearing, and public
notice of meetings. Dates covered are 1972-1974. A copy of the final plan is
not in the records.
1990/146-2
1.
Agreement between the Secretary of Labor and the State
of Texas, Section 18(h) of the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970,
1973-1974
1990/146-2
2.
Public Hearing, Texas Plan - Occupational Safety and
Health - Presentation by Walter G. Martin,
August 7, 1974
1990/146-2
3.
Development of the Texas State Plan for Compliance of
the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970,
1972
Statistical contracts,
1978-1980,
0.1 cubic ft.
The Occupational Safety Division contracted with the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, to assist in their national
survey of occupational injuries and illnesses, referred to as the OSHA
(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Annual Survey. This survey is
designed to measure the incidence of injuries and illnesses recorded by the
employers as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The
contracts were made in accordance with the Act which provides for the use of
State services, supplies and facilities to assist the Department of Labor in
carrying out its functions.
Records include correspondence, memos, budget preparation work
sheets, and copies of the contract. Dates covered are 1978-1980.
1990/146-2
4.
FY 1979, 1978-1979
1990/146-2
5-6.
FY 1980, 1979-1980
Consultation contracts,
1975-1980,
0.2 cubic ft.
The Occupational Safety Division signed annual contracts with
the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) to provide a program of on-site, safety consultation services to
employers. Under this program, employers could receive without cost the help
and advice of state consultants in understanding and complying with federal job
safety and health standards. These consultations were designed to encourage a
safe workplace and prevent injuries by supplying employers with information
necessary to comply with the rules and regulations of OSHA. Costs for this
service were shared by the federal and state governments, as spelled out in the
contracts.
Records include copies of the contracts, contract amendments,
correspondence, memos, budget worksheets, forms, and press releases. Dates
covered are 1975-1980. Records are arranged chronologically.
1990/146-2
7.
1975-1977
1990/146-2
8.
1978-1979
1990/146-2
9.
1979
1990/146-2
10.
1980
Administrative files,
1967-1973,
0.2 cubic ft.
Records consist of a policy manual of administrative procedures
and manpower and workload schedules for safety inspectors in regional offices.
Dates covered are 1967-1973. The policy manual dates from 1967 to 1968 when the
board had just been created and includes procedures and rules adopted by the
board for its administration of the Occupational Safety Division. The manpower
and workload schedules were developed for the field safety inspectors in the
early 1970s. The schedules include staffing projections and requirements for
regional offices, work hours and assignable time calculations, and workload
distribution requirements.
Index Terms
The terms listed here were used to catalog
the records. The terms can be used to find similar or related
records.
Corporate Names:
Texas. Occupational
Safety Division.
Subjects:
Industrial
safety--Texas.
Industrial
hygiene--Texas.
Safety
regulations--Texas.
Document Types:
Manuals--Texas--Industrial safety--1967-1973.
Functions:
Adopting safety
regulations.
Enforcing safety
regulations.
1990/146-2
11.
Policy Manual,
1967-1968
1990/146-2
12.
Field Work Demand and Manpower Distribution
1990/146-2
13.
Field Work Demand and Manpower Distribution, Schedules
40 and 80,
1972-1973
Public engagements scrapbook,
1967-1970,
0.1 cubic ft.
Records consist of a scrapbook containing information on the
Occupational Safety Board and its members from 1967 to 1970. Items in the
scrapbook include photographs of board members at meetings, newspaper
clippings, newsletters, and programs from public meetings.
Arrangement
The items in the scrapbook are arranged in reverse chronological
order.
Index Terms
The terms listed here were used to catalog
the records. The terms can be used to find similar or related
records.
Corporate Names:
Texas. Occupational
Safety Board.
Subjects:
Industrial
safety--Texas.
Industrial
hygiene--Texas.
Safety
regulations--Texas.
Document Types:
Scrapbook--Texas--Industrial
safety--1967-1970.
Photographs--Texas--Industrial safety--1967-1970.
Clippings--Texas--Industrial
safety--1967-1970.
Newsletters--Texas--Industrial safety--1967-1970.
Programs--Texas--Industrial safety--1967-1970.
Functions:
Adopting safety
regulations.
Enforcing safety
regulations.
1990/146-2
14.
Scrapbook,
1967-1970
Miscellaneous audio tapes,
1981-1982,
0.2 cubic ft.
Records consist of miscellaneous cassette and reel-to-reel tapes
that were in the possession of the Occupational Safety Board. The cassette
tapes are from hearings of the Governor's Task Force on Work-Related Injuries
and Illnesses held in 1981-1982. The reel-to-reel tapes are undated and
unidentified.
Index Terms
The terms listed here were used to catalog
the records. The terms can be used to find similar or related
records.
Corporate Names:
Texas. Governor's
Task Force on Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.
Subjects:
Industrial
safety--Texas.
Industrial
hygiene--Texas.
Safety
regulations--Texas.
Document Types:
Audio
tapes--Texas--Industrial safety--1981-82.
Audio
cassettes--Texas--Industrial safety--1981-1982.
Functions:
Adopting safety
regulations.
Enforcing safety
regulations.
Arrangement
The tapes are arranged roughly in chronological order.
Governor's Task Force on
Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
[cassette tapes]:
1990/146-4
14-15.
November 18, 1981
[two cassettes]
1990/146-4
16-17.
February 4-5, 1982
[two cassettes]
1990/146-4
18.
March 23, 1982
1990/146-4
19-21.
April 7-9, 1982
1990/146-4
22-23.
May 6-7, 1982
Unidentified reel-to-reel
tapes
1990/146-4
24-28.
ca. 1981