new things. Another thing is that if an examination were made of the SALARIES, OFFICE OF THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL Mr. NORRELL. The first item is "Salaries, Office of the Architect of the Capitol" shown on page 54 of the committee print. At this point we shall insert in the record pages 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the justifications. (The pages referred to follow :) Salaries, Office of the Architect of the Capitol 1960 appropriation in annual act__ Deductions: Base for 1961__. Additions: Within-grade salary advancements authorized by the Overtime and holiday pay increased by $1,984 to meet 1 wage board 13 head air-conditioning mechanic: Since installation of the original air-conditioning sys- In addition, the systems are now nearing 25 years of age and require frequent maintenance, repair, modifications, and improvements. Many strides have been made in the air-conditioning and refrigeration field during this period and effort has been made to improve the existing systems in accordance with such advanced knowledge. All air-conditioning and refrigeration systems and all personnel engaged in the operation, repair, and maintenance of the same in buildings under the Architect of the Capitol are under the general supervision and direction of a GS-12 supervising air-conditioning and refrigeration engineer carried on the "Salaries, Office of the Architect of the Capitol" payroll. There are, in all, 60 mechanics and helpers engaged in such work in the various buildings under the Architect. The workload of the supervising air-conditioning and refrigeration engineer has gradually increased from year to year until the point has now been reached where he can no longer properly carry on his duties without the assistance of the head air-conditioning mechanic position requested for 1961. This new employee would assist the supervising engineer in troubleshooting problems and field maintenance work. He would also supervise construction of new air-conditioning and refrigeration installations; the repair and maintenance of all food storage and drinking water refrigeration equipment and other $2,595 1, 984 16, 096 $278, 100 -800 277, 300 Salaries, Office of the Architect of the Capitol-Continued Additions Continued installations in the House and Senate restaurant In 1959, the committee allowed a new position of The safety engineer is responsible for the development and administering of a safety engineering program for the Office of the Architect of the Capitol; the review of plans and specifications for construction and major maintenance projects to see that they comply with and incorporate safety standards and devices, and the recommendation of corrective measures where discrepancies occur; the planning and directing of a safety education program. He is responsible for the administration of the accident prevention program for all buildings, new construction, and remodeling activities under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol, including fire protection and fire prevention. The two safety inspectors requested for 1961 would work under the general supervision of the safety engineer, in accordance with pertinent safety codes and governing plans and specifications. They would independently conduct safety inspections of construction, remodeling and maintenance activities; make inspection of powerplant and building maintenance shops; inspection of offices, suites, air-conditioning and electrical installations; conduct fire prevention and protection surveys of all areas; collaborate with building personnel in recharging and maintenance procedures involving fire extinguishers and other first aid protection equipment; review plans and specifications for new construction and remodeling projects for compliance with safety codes and requirements; observe work methods and practices to detect safety hazards and standards of workmanship from a safety standpoint; assure compliance with applicable safety codes in all activities; prepare inspection reports, with recommendations for practical solutions; investigate property damage accidents. Their emphasis would be on accident prevention in all work and activities under the Architect. Payment to employees' health benefits fund___. This is a new item and is requested to cover the cost of Government contribution to employees' health benefits fund required by Public Law 86-382, 86th Congress, "Federal Employees' Health Benefits Act of 1959" approved September 28, 1959, and is to become effective July 1, 1960. 54877-60- 2 $2,300 Salaries, Office of the Architect of the Capitol-Continued Additions-Continued This item is required to cover the cost of Govern- Total estimate for 1961. $1, 125 -+$24, 100 301, 400 Mr. NORRELL. On page 54 of the bill, Salaries, Office of the Architect of the Capitol, you ask for $23,300 above the appropriation for 1960. Tell us about that. It begins on page 12 of the justifications. DECREASE AND INCREASES Mr. STEWART. There is one deduction of $800, which was occasioned by last year being leap year and containing 2 extra days instead of the usual 1 extra day over the 52-week base. The first addition is for within-grade salary advancements authorized by the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, $2,595. The overtime and holiday pay is increased by $1,984 to meet increased pay costs under that allotment resulting from base-pay increases under the Classification Act and the proposed addition of three new positions for 1961. THREE NEW POSITIONS REQUESTED I am asking for $16,096 for three additional positions: One wageboard 13-head air-conditioning mechanic at $6,136 per annum, which is urgently needed at the present time; and 2 GS-7 safety inspectors at $4,980 per annum each. The blue sheets contain a detailed justification for these three positions. You allowed me a GS-12 safety engineer in 1959, to start building up a safety program. There are so many elements that enter the safety of not only the workers on the job but your constituents and visitors and the Members of Congress themselves, that it has come to a point where I should have some help for this engineer. I am asking for two GS-7 safety inspectors at $4,980 per annum each. The safety engineer is responsible for the development and administering of a safety engineering program for the Office of the Architect of the Capitol; the review of plans and specifications for construction and major maintenance projects to see that they comply with and incorporate safety standards and devices, and the recommendation of corrective measures where discrepancies occur; the planning and directing of a safety education program. He is responsible for the administration of the accident prevention program for all buildings, new construction, and remodeling activities under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol, including fire protection and fire prevention. The two safety inspectors requested for 1961 would work under the general supervision of the safety engineer, in accordance with pertinent safety codes and governing plans and specifications. They would independently conduct safety inspections of construction, remodeling, and maintenance activities; make inspection of powerplant and building maintenance shops; inspection of offices, suites, air conditioning, and electrical installations; conduct fire prevention and protection surveys of all areas; collaborate with building personnel in recharging and maintenance procedures involving fire extinguishers and other first-aid protection equipment; review plans and specifications for new construction and remodeling projects for compliance with safety codes and requirements; observe work methods and practices to detect safety hazards and standards of workmanship from a safety standpoint; assure compliance with applicable safety codes in all activities; prepare inspection reports, with recommendations for practical solutions; investigate property damage accidents. Their emphasis would be on accident prevention in all work and activities under the Architect. At this point I make a personal plea for you to at least give me these two inspectors until the additional House Office Building is completed. We can take another look at the situation then and determine anew the imminence of the need, but the work to be done by them is quite extensive and it is more than one man can possibly do at this time. Mr. NORRELL. Any questions? Mr. KIRWAN. I have none. WAGE-BOARD INCREASE Mr. HORAN. Are your justifications up to date on the wage-board item? Mr. STEWART. Yes, sir. Mr. HORAN. It has been called to my attention by the clerk that the additional "wage-board 13 head air-conditioning mechanic" at $6,136 per annum that you are requesting should be $6,302. Mr. HENLOCK. There is that $200 difference. prepared last fall. These estimates were Mr. HORAN. You can adjust that in your budget? Mr. HORAN. That is all. Mr. NORRELL. Any further questions? DUTIES OF SAFETY ENGINEER Mr. Bow. On this safety engineer and your request for two safety inspectors, I was one member of the committee that favored the employment of the safety engineer some time ago, but to bring us up to date on this request, what has the safety engineer we gave you been doing? Mr. STEWART. Here are a few examples of the work he has performed: Examples of work performed as related to his duty "Develops and administers a safety engineering program for the Office of the Architect of the Capitol," are as follows: (1) Developed safety policy and procedures to be used by organizations coming under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol. (2) Developed a manual of safety requirements to be used by organizations coming under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol. |