ICs that want to add LWS operators to the approved roster -- send a written request to Richie Taffet at: taffetr@mail.nih.gov. Your request should include the new operator's name, their IC, their NED number, as well as the operator's e-mail address, building/room and phone number.  

If an LWS is not available in your IC or your immediate area, and you work in the greater Bethesda or Rockville area -- please call 301-451-4766 or 301-402-9755 to schedule an appointment with the Division of Personnel Security and Access Control located in Building 31, Room B1A26 or in Building 10, South Lobby, Room 1C52.  

If you work outside the Bethesda/Rockville area, contact your local badge issuance office.  

Subscribing to DPSAC News -- Know someone who would benefit by subscribing to DPSAC News. Have them contact Lanny Newman, newmanL@mail.nih.gov, with a request to be added to the mailing list. The HSPD-12 Program Office publishes this bi-weekly e-newsletter every other Wednesday.

Past issues get posted on the 'idbadge' website at: http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dpsac/resources/newsletter/Pages/newsletter.aspx 

The Office of Research Services (ORS) recently sent the following message to NIH staff in the DC Metro area: 

Last year, the Washington/Baltimore Metropolitan area experienced extreme temperature conditions during the summer months contributing to power outages, including at NIH facilities.

The National Weather Service is forecasting extreme temperatures over the next week. In order to meet energy and cooling demands, utility providers, including our own NIH central utility plant, typically run near capacity.

To reduce the threat of a power outage and lower energy consumption, we recommend all NIH employees follow a few easy steps to help decrease non-essential heat and energy sources during the summer months, particularly during this period of peak demand.

• Keep windows closed and shades lowered when possible  
• Turn off lights, printers, copiers and other non-essential electronic devices when not in use, especially after normal work hours  
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator when possible  
• Ensure that the low power/sleep mode feature is enabled on computers and monitors when not in use  
• Refrain from using personal space heaters, especially during this period of peak energy use (space heaters are only allowed in NIH facilities when it is determined by the NIH Fire Marshal and the Office of Research Facilities that a temperature cannot be properly regulated by the building's heating/cooling system)

These simple practices help protect everyone, but particularly our critical needs - patient and animal care, critical research and computer data centers. These are good practices to follow regularly at work and home, but are especially helpful when energy consumption reaches peak levels.

The NIH anticipates this period of peak energy use to be in place until at least 12pm (noon) on Monday, July 22. We will then evaluate if continued curtailment practices are necessary.

Thank you for supporting NIH's efforts to reduce energy consumption.

NIH Mission First, Safety Always Award - Who Will You Nominate?

A call for nominations for "The NIH Mission First, Safety Always Award," sponsored by the Division of Occupational Health and Safety, ORS, originally distributed to all NIH staff on July 15, 2013, is reprinted below.

The NIH Mission First, Safety Always Award, presented by the Office of Research Services (ORS), Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS), showcases NIH personnel who have demonstrated leadership, innovation and involvement in their organization's safety culture and promoted safety in the workplace.

Nominations can be submitted through the ORS, DOHS website:
http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/sr/dohs/HealthAndSafety/SafetyAwards/Pages/NIH-Mission-First,-Safety-Always.aspx

Please nominate a colleague who has demonstrated safety leadership, with practical examples in two or more of the following areas:

• Leadership attributes that set the nominee apart from his or her peers  
• Initiating and/or leading a successful safety initiative  
• Engaging peers and transforming the safety culture of the organization  
• Promoting safety as an important part of your program  
• Working to correct unsafe or unhealthful workplace conditions or hazards

Nominations are open until August 2, 2013. NIH wants to recognize and celebrate safety excellence! Nominate a safety leader today!

If you have any questions, please e-mail ORSSafetyDay@mail.nih.gov or send written questions to: NIH, OD, ORS, DOHS (Attn: NIH Mission First, Safety Always Questions), Bldg 13, Room 3K04, 13 South Drive, MSC 5760, Bethesda, MD 20892-5760.