The AFGE Health and Safety Program focuses on keeping the federal workplace free from hazards that threaten the well-being of federal employees. AFGE emphasizes the need for agency health and safety programs that prevent injuries and illnesses.

AFGE provides technical assistance to the many activists who serve as local officers, safety representatives, and health and safety committee members. Today, with decreased OSHA involvement in federal workplaces, employees must take an active role in keeping their workplaces safe for themselves and their co-workers.

• Visit the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) website.

AFGE is increasing health and safety awareness among our members through educational programs. AFGE conducts training in conjunction with districts, councils, and locals.

In addition to traditional classroom programs, we also offer online training. Through a series of True or False Questions, the Health and Safety Essentials module provides an overview of the health and safety rights and responsibilities of federal employees. AFGE developed this module to ensure that members are familiar with the regulations that protect their health and safety on the job so they can better advocate for them.

AFGE provides information to help activists resolve health and safety problems, prepare grievances, and negotiate health and safety protection. This includes researching exposure risks, health effects, and current standards, as well as making recommendations for abating hazards.

AFGE thoroughly reviews and analyzes nation-wide agency health and safety programs, often providing comments and suggestions for improvement. Agency programs are evaluated to ensure maximum protection for AFGE members, including compliance with current standards and regulations, and full employee participation in the agency program.

AFGE participates in OSHA stakeholder meetings, evaluates proposed regulations and standards, and provides comments and testimony. AFGE also monitors proposed health and safety legislation, lobbying for measures that provide better protection for federal employees and against measures that weaken OSHA protection.

More than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness. During Mental Health Awareness Month, learn how we're supporting efforts to improve mental health at work.

• Blog: How the department is raising awareness about mental health at work
• Website: Our new landing page with workplace mental health resources

Update: Mailing Address Change for DFEC & OWCP

Federal employees have the right to a workplace free from recognized hazards [29 CFR 1960.8(a)]. When employees get hurt or become ill as a result of their job exposures, they are entitled to workers' compensation benefits, including medical care, wage loss replacement, and vocational rehabilitation, among others.

Federal employees also have responsibilities—reporting injuries and illnesses, filing claims for compensation in a timely manner, and returning to work when medically cleared.

These rights and responsibilities are not always communicated to employees, and if they are, the information may be inaccurate or misguided. Sometimes employees are denied the right to file, transmittal of their claims is delayed, claims are controverted, and employees are forced to return to work too soon for fear of losing their jobs.

AFGE has developed training on the federal workers’ compensation program that is offered both in a classroom setting and online.  The training provides an overview of the claims process, the benefits injured workers may receive, and the appeals process. 

We offer a short, self-paced online module on the basic benefits and requirements of the federal workers’ compensation system. 

We also offer an interactive online course lead by an instructor.  For information about the upcoming online Workers' Compensation Training, click here.

• Corresponding with DOL/OWCP
• Using DOL's ECOMP System
• Submitting and Getting a Receipt for Forms CA-1, CA-2 and CA-7

• CA -1: Federal Employee's Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuation of Pay/Compensation
• CA-2: Notice of Occupational Disease and Claim for Compensation
• CA-2a: Notice of Recurrence
• CA-7: Claim for Compensation
• CA-7a: Time Analysis Form
• CA-7b: Leave Buy Back (LBB) Worksheet/Certification and Election
• CA-17: Duty Status Report
• CA-20: Attending Physician's Report
• CA-35: Evidence Required in Support of a Claim for Occupational Disease

• What a Federal Employee Should Do When Injured at Work: Provides basic guidance on filing a claim.
• Injury Compensation for Federal Employees Publication CA-810: This handbook is for agency personnel and covers the compensation process and requirements.  It is helpful for union representatives helping members with claims.
• ECOMP: Injured employees with existing claims can submit documents electronically through ECOMP. Some agencies are also using ECOMP for employees to initiate claims.
• Claimant Query System (CQS): CQS provides information on case status, accepted medical conditions, and compensation payments. Due to security concerns, registration on OWCP Connect is required to access CQS.

• For all AFGE member: ou Have a Right to Workers' Comp for Job-Related Injuries and Illnesses: This 4-page booklet describes your rights and responsibilities under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA)
• TSA Employees: You Have a Right to Workers Comp for Job-Related Injuries and Illnesses: This version of the 4-pager is specifically for TSA employees