Virginia Safety & Health Codes Board
History
Established in 1962, by the Virginia General Assembly, as the Safety Codes Commission, had the power to make rules and regulations governing safety operations. In 1972, the General Assembly revised the Commission to continue as the Safety and Health Codes Board (SHCB).
The Safety and Health Codes Board reviews rules and regulations to further, protect, and promote the occupational safety and health of employees in Virginia and effect compliance with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
Responsibility
The SHCB is authorized to adopt, alter, amend and repeal rules and regulations for the Department to protect the occupational safety and health of employees in Virginia. This responsibility includes the state plan agreement with federal OSHA to effect compliance with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety, and the Commonwealth’s Asbestos and Lead Contractor Notification and Inspection Programs. The Board has enacted safety and health regulatory standards that are unique to Virginia. These standards can be found at the Virginia Unique Standards page.
The Safety and Health Codes Board consists of 14 members:
Twelve members are appointed by the Governor to serve a 4-year term. They are a mix of employee and employer representatives from various industries, and the general public.
The remaining two members of the Board serve as ex-officio members:
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- Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality
- Commissioner of Health, serve as ex-officio members
Meetings
The Board is required to meet at least twice annually, and additional meetings may be held as necessary to fulfill statutory or federal regulatory requirements. Advance notice of meetings can be found in the Virginia Register of Regulations, on the Regulatory Town Hall, or on DOLI’s website.
Next Meeting: TBA
For more information or to contact members of the Board, please contact Cristin Bernhardt, DOLI’s Regulatory Coordinator, by phone at (804) 786-2392, or by email at Cristin.Bernhardt@doli.virginia.gov.
Safety and Health Codes Board Members
Mr. Jay Abbott
Representative for Agricultural Employers
(Term Expires: 06/30/24)
Mr. Robert Buchler
Industrial Representative Knowledgeable in Chemical and Toxic Substances
(Term Expires: 06/30/24)
Ms. Kelly Bundy
Representative from Construction Industry Employers
(Term Expires: 06/30/25)
Mr. Kevin Battle
Labor Representative of the Boiler & Pressure Vessel Industry
(Term Expires: 06/30/26)
Mr. Lee Biedrycki
Representative of an Insurance Company
(Term Expires: 06/30/26)
Mr. Robert Smith
Employer Representative of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Industry
(Term Expires: 06/30/26)
Mr. James Lou Spencer
Representative from Labor in the Construction Industry
(Term Expires: 06/30/26)
Ms. Lutheria Smith
Representative for the General Public
(Term Expires: 06/30/24)
Mr. Jeffrey Rowe
Representative for Labor in the Manufacturing Industry
(Term Expires: 06/30/26)
Ms. Audrey Janosik
Representative for Industrial Employers
(Term Expires: 06/30/27)
Mr. Larry James
Representative for Agricultural Employees
(Term Expires: 06/30/24)
Mr. Michael Everett
Labor Representative Knowledgeable in Chemical and Toxic Substances
(Term Expires: 06/30/24)
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Dr. Karen Shelton (Ex-Officio)
State Health Commissioner – Virginia Department of Health
Represented by:
Julie Henderson – Director of Office of Environmental Health Services (VDH)
Mr. Mike Rolband (Ex-Officio)
Director – Department of Environmental Quality
Represented by:
Joel Canady – Health and Safety Manager
Dr. Parharm Jaberi (Ex-Officio)
Acting State Health Commissioner – Virginia Department of Health
Represented by:
Julie Henderson – Director of Office of Environmental Health Services (VDH)
Mr. Mike Rolband (Ex-Officio)
Director – Department of Environmental Quality
Represented by:
Elizabeth Lohman – Pollution Response & Emergency Preparedness Program Specialist