Question
Can OPM provide some examples of the reasons proposed hazardous duty pay categories have been denied in the past?
Answer
OPM has denied requests for new hazardous duty pay categories when--
- the duties would involve remote or potential hazards rather than present or actual hazards--i.e., when the duty is not inherently hazardous and an accident or injury is unlikely;
- adequate safeguards would reduce the risk to a less than significant level;
- overseas post differentials already compensate or take into account the hardships and hazards encountered in overseas assignments, such as presence in a war zone;
- the risk of exposure to the hazard is not directly connected with the performance of assigned duties;
- the hazard would not be "unusual" and would be hard to distinguish from the ongoing hazards that are inherent in the job; or
- the hazardous duty or physical hardship is already listed in appendix A.