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:
-
- 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
Labor Rep. (Chemical & Toxic Substance Industry)
Michael Everett
(Term Expires: 06/29/24)
Member of the General Public
Lutheria Smith
(Term Expires: 06/29/24)
Representative from Construction Industry Employers
Kelly Bundy
(Term Expires: 06/29/25)
Labor Employer (Boiler Pressure Vessel Industry)
Robert C. Smith
(Term Expires: 06/29/26)
Labor Representative (Manufacturing Industry)
Jeffrey S. Rowe
(Term Expires: 06/29/26)
Labor Representative (Construction)
James L. Spencer
(Term Expires: 06/29/26)
Labor Representative (Boiler Pressure Vessel Industry)
Kevin Battle
(Term Expires: 06/29/26)
Insurance Company Representative
Lee T. Biedrycki
(Term Expires: 06/29/24)
Industrial Employers
Audrey Riggan Janosik
(Term Expires: 06/29/27)
Agricultural Employer
Jay Samuel Abbott
(Term Expires: 06/29/28)
Agricultural Employee
Larry E. James
(Term Expires: 06/29/28)
Industrial Employer (Chemical and Toxic Industry)
Rena M. Parker
(Term Expires: 06/29/28)
Safety and Health Codes Board Members
| Seat Name | Current Member | End Date |
| Ex Officio members | ||
| Commissioner of Health | Dr. Karen Shelton (Joel Canady, representative) |
|
| Director of Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality | Mike Rolband (Julie Henderson, representative) |
|
| Gubernatorial appointees | ||
| Member of the General Public | Lutheria Smith | 6/29/2024 |
| Construction Industry Employer | Kelly Bundy | 6/29/2025 |
| Labor Employer (Boiler Pressure Vessel Industry) | Robert C. Smith | 6/29/2026 |
| Labor Representative (Manufacturing Industry) | Jeffrey S. Rowe | 6/29/2026 |
| Labor Representative (Construction) | James L. Spencer | 6/29/2026 |
| Labor Representative (Boiler Pressure Vessel Industry) | Kevin Battle | 6/29/2026 |
| Insurance Company Representative | Lee T. Biedrycki | 6/29/2026 |
| Industrial Employers | Audrey Riggan Janosik | 6/29/2027 |
| Agricultural Employer | Jay Samuel Abbott | 6/29/2028 |
| Agricultural Employee | Larry E. James | 6/29/2028 |
| Industrial Employer (Chemical and Toxic Industry) | Rena M. Parker | 6/29/2028 |
| Labor Rep. (Chemical & Toxic Substance Industry) | Michael Everett | 6/29/2028 |
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Dr. Karen Shelton (Ex-Officio)
Commissioner of Health
Represented by:
Joel Canady
Mr. Mike Rolband
Director of Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality
Represented by:
Julie Henderson