What person is designated as the safety and occupational health official for the Department of the Navy?

The correct choice designates the Secretary of the Navy as the safety and occupational health official for the Department of the Navy. This position carries the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the safety and health of personnel within the Navy. The Secretary of the Navy is tasked with overseeing and implementing policies related to safety and occupational health, thereby supporting the overall mission of maintaining a safe working environment for Navy members.

The responsibilities tied to this role include establishing safety programs, ensuring compliance with regulations, and promoting a culture of safety throughout the Navy. This centralization of authority helps streamline decision-making and responsibility at the highest levels.

The other options do not hold the same level of designated responsibility for safety and health within the Navy. While high-ranking officials like the Chief of Naval Operations and the Deputy Secretary of Defense may play roles in broader policy-making, they do not specifically oversee safety and occupational health mandates for the Department. Similarly, the Naval Safety Center Director, while important in implementing safety programs, operates under the authority of the Secretary of the Navy and does not hold the overarching position of safety official for the entire Department of the Navy.