EMPLOYEE SAFETY HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 EMPLOYEE SAFETY HANDBOOK

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 2 Employee Responsibilities 3 Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness 3 Safety Program Management 4 Safety Committee 4 Risk Manager 4 Summary 5 When an Accident Occurs 6 Safe Practices 6 Safe Lifting Practices 7 Material Handling 8 Office Safety 9 Machine Safety 10 Hand Tools 11 Electrical Safety 11 Fire Prevention 12 Eye Protection 13 Hearing Protection 13 Heat Prevention 14 Use of District Vehicles 14 In the Event of a Work Injury 15 Workers Compensation Administrator 16 Disciplinary Procedure 17 Revised March

3 INTRODUCTION This booklet is being given to all employees because the District is dedicated to providing a safe and healthful working environment in all aspects of the workplace - classrooms, offices, shops, and recreation areas. The District s goal is to eliminate personal injuries and accompanying human suffering and financial losses. This can be achieved by thinking safety and acting safely in everything we do. This includes following sound safety rules, eliminating safety and health hazards, and avoiding hazardous situations. The information in this booklet has been developed to assist you with your personal safety efforts. You are urged to carefully read this booklet with the sincere hope that it will be the basis for a continuing commitment to accident prevention and working safely. It is important that you are familiar with and practice these general rules. Your immediate supervisor will provide you the specific safety rules pertaining to your position. Thank you very much for your help. SAFETY IS CONTAGIOUS - SPREAD IT AROUND! 2

4 EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES Although the primary responsibility for occupational safety and health is with the District, certain responsibilities are also placed on you, the employee. Your responsibilities include: complying with all District occupational safety and health standards, rules, and regulations; using all methods and processes adopted by the District for your protection; using personal protective equipment required by your job for protection from personal injury; not interfering with the use of safeguards by others; avoiding acts which could cause injury or harm to fellow employees; reporting hazardous conditions to your immediate supervisor; reporting immediately all accidents and injuries to your immediate supervisor. Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness According to Government of the State of California (Ch.8, Div. 4, Tit.1, Sec. 3100) All public employees are hereby declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. 3

5 SAFETY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT The Superintendent and his staff are charged with the continuing responsibility for developing policies, rules, and regulations and for recommending approval of finances for the abatement of unsafe conditions. Additionally, all principals, department heads, and supervisors are directly responsible for the safety of their employees. Safety Committee The District has an active Safety Committee composed of administrative, supervisory, certificated and classified personnel. The Committee meets quarterly to review injuries and accidents and identify potential student and employee risks. When necessary, changes and improvements in safety-related methods and procedures are implemented. The Committee also carries out a continuing safety awareness program in order to instill safe working habits in the minds of all our employees. The District s Safety Committee allows direct employee involvement in the District s safety program. Risk Manager Within the District, the Risk Manager has the responsibility to identify trends or situations which might be present from review of employee and student injury reports. The concerns may be identified as physical site or employee practice. These concerns are brought to the Safety Committee for review and any appropriate action. Unsafe conditions are immediately brought to the attention of the site manager to prevent any repeat incidents of a similar nature. The Risk Manager has the dual responsibility to see that the District s policies and procedures relating to industrial injuries/illnesses are being followed and to assist injured employees to receive all due services and benefits. 4

6 Summary Now that you have read the preceding information, you have some idea of the importance the District places on safety. You should also have a pretty good idea of what is expected of you, but there are a few areas that we would like to emphasize. First, awareness of safety and working safely is a very personal responsibility. You must accept this responsibility and apply the rules of safety on each and every job you do. You must never wait for a supervisor to remind you to work safely or to inspect a job site and declare it safe for you (even though this will occur). You must assume this responsibility yourself. Second, you must accept the fact that accidents do not just happen; they are caused either by an unsafe condition that exists, or by an unsafe act (committed either by an employee or by another person). Accidents are preventable, and you must do everything necessary to prevent an accident from happening. No job is so important that you cannot take sufficient time to do it safely. Third, when you become aware of an unsafe condition, you must take whatever steps are necessary to alleviate that condition. If you cannot alleviate the condition, then you have the responsibility to report it either to your supervisor, to the District s Risk Manager, or to the Director, Maintenance & Operations. If warranted, an immediate inspection will be made and steps taken to alleviate the conditions. If every employee accepts these responsibilities and practices safety, the District s accident rates will drop. Since no one is perfect and since we all do make mistakes from time to time, we must keep constantly aware of the dangers that surround us and do everything we can to promote safety including reminding our fellow workers to work safely. Make your own safety and 5

7 welfare your number one priority and enjoy a happy and healthful working relationship during your employment with the District. THINK SAFETY! GENERAL SAFETY RULES When an Accident Occurs DO report all injuries to your department supervisor or principal without delay. DO obtain the Employee s Report of Injury form from your department supervisor or principal return the completed form to your supervisor or principal immediately. DO notify your supervisor and the District Risk Manager immediately if the injury is serious. DO obtain authorization for medical treatment from the District Risk Manager should you become injured. Safe Practices DO remember safety rules apply to EVERYONE!! DO recognize applicable safety and health requirements when carrying out your job responsibilities. DO act quickly and without confusion in an emergency it may save your life. DO learn proper lifting techniques improper lifting is the largest single cause of injuries. DO avoid accidents clean up litter and spills. 6

8 DO avoid slippery or greasy floors report wet or greasy spots as they occur. DO use personal protective equipment when required. Do wear proper footwear; it s a must! DO WALK DON T RUN! DO teach safety by example; by suggestion; by eliminating hazards. DO know the meaning of safety signs, tags, and symbols heed their warnings! DO learn how to use emergency equipment it works if you know how to use it! DO familiarize yourself with available fire fighting equipment use the equipment only for fighting fires. DO NOT block access to fire fighting equipment. DO offer suggestions to your supervisor and the Safety Committee that will assist in safe performance at work. Safe Lifting Practices When lifting objects, remember that your greatest source of strength is in your legs. This is the secret to protecting yourself from back injury or hernia while lifting. DO NOT twist shift your feet with the load. DO NOT lift more than you can comfortably handle get help when lifting heavy or awkward loads. DO NOT reach and lift at the same time. 7

9 DO get a firm footing with your feet slightly apart. DO squat and avoid bending at the waist; keep back in straight alignment when bending, lifting and setting down items. DO lift with your legs, not with your back. DO make sure you know where the next step will take you. DO remember to also use safe practices when setting the load down. Material Handling DO pile or stack materials securely one level resting squarely on the one below it. DO use proper blocking when necessary never exceed a safe height. DO report any unsafe stacks to your supervisor. DO stand on a firm work surface, e.g., appropriate ladder or step stool DO NOT STAND on boxes, pallets, chairs, tables, etc., these are unsafe work platforms to use for standing. DO learn about the types of liquids you may have to handle in connection with your work assignment. DO protect yourself in a manner outlined by your supervisor when handling toxic liquids, flammable materials, etc. DO wash thoroughly after handling injurious or poisonous substances follow all special instructions from authorized sources. DO wash hands again thoroughly just prior to eating. 8

10 Office Safety DO NOT use sharp instruments and paper cutters carelessly use extreme caution. DO NOT tilt back in chairs the result could be a bad fall. DO NOT use chairs, boxes, desks, tables, or other substitutes in place of a ladder or step stool. DO NOT use extension cords or plug power strips into power strips. DO NOT use ungrounded electrical equipment or tools use only those marked Double Insulated. DO NOT leave drawers of desks or file cabinets open and unattended. DO NOT open more than one drawer of a file cabinet at a time. DO load file cabinets properly from bottom drawer up to prevent tipping. DO securely place and safeguard portable electrical equipment and appliances to prevent injury to employees and damage to the appliance. DO learn how to operate office equipment properly. DO follow instructions. DO keep office equipment and appliances free of slivers, burrs, and other conditions which might cause an accident or personal injury. 9

11 DO KEEP EXITS, HALLWAYS, AND AISLES CLEAR OF ALL OBSTRUCTIONS including telephone and power cords in and near desks. DO use the handrails when ascending or descending stairways. DO place litter and trash in waste containers provided respect others by leaving your work areas orderly. Machine Safety DO NOT wear loose or frayed clothing, neckties, finger rings, etc., when working near moving machinery or other sources of entanglement. DO NOT operate a machine or a piece of equipment until you have been instructed in its safe operation. DO NOT start machinery until all personnel are clear of it give a proper warning signal before start-up and/or walk around it. DO NOT attempt to repair a machine or make adjustments without first shutting it off install a lock-out or danger tag on the starting switch, if necessary. Any exception to this safe practice will be specifically outlined by your supervisor. DO NOT OPERATE A MACHINE WITHOUT APPROPRI- ATE GUARDS! DO keep machine guards in place when the machine is running and replace all guards that you have removed for repair or adjustment they have been installed for your safety! DO REPORT MISSING OR INADEQUATE GUARDS TO YOUR SUPERVISOR IMMEDIATELY! 10

12 DO obtain specific safe practices from your immediate supervisor for the equipment you are expected to use. Hand Tools DO NOT use files and screwdrivers as punches or pry bars. DO inspect and resurface chisels, hammers, etc., regularly avoid cracked and mushroomed heads. DO check hammer and axe handles frequently replace when spread or loosened at the head. DO repair wrenches, pliers, etc. replace when gripping surfaces become worn. DO check banders, cutters, drills, and similar tools frequently report defective tools to your supervisor. DO repair or replace frayed or defective electrical cords, unsafe welding rod holders, trouble lights, etc. inspect them prior to each use. DO clean and store tools in a safe place after each use reduce the chance of loss or damage. Clean up any scrap or unused materials left over from the job. DO maintain adequate distances between workers for safe operations when using picks, shovels, brush hooks, etc. Electrical Safety DO NOT attempt to make electrical repairs of any kind unless you are authorized and trained to do so. DO NOT string out electrical cords along floors, across walk- 11

13 ways or vehicle travel ways, or under rugs. All portable electrical tools must have a ground system which must be connected at all times when equipment is in use. DO NOT block passages to switch panels and switch gear. Treat all electrical equipment and fixtures as though the lines are hot. DO NOT use metal ladders around electrical equipment. DO report defective electrical equipment, wiring, or burned out lights, etc., to your supervisor at once for prompt correction. Fire Prevention DO NOT smoke on District premises. DO NOT store flammable liquids, such as gasoline, naphtha, etc., in unapproved containers proper labeling is a must! DO NOT dispense flammable liquids in closed areas or near open flames or other sources of ignition. DO use grounded, vented containers. DO NOT dispense, mix, or handle flammable liquids unless fire extinguishers of the CO² or dry chemical type have been provided they must be clearly visible and accessible. DO NOT obstruct passageways or work areas around fire fighting equipment it must be accessible at all times. DO report improperly mounted or obstructed extinguishers to your supervisor immediately. DO learn the location and proper use of fire extinguishers. 12

14 DO report fire extinguishers which appear to be in doubtful condition to your supervisor immediately. DO report any used fire extinguishers for recharging. DO keep exit doors unlocked when the building is occupied maintain free passage to and through these exits at all times. DO become familiar with exit points of the building in which you work. DO report fires promptly to the Fire Department and School Office. DO NOT risk your life trying to extinguish a fire that may get out of control. DO use only approved safety containers to store oil and paint soaked rags disposal shall be made daily only in safe receptacles outside the building. DO remember a clean work area seldom has a fire. For assistance in recognizing fire hazards, or fire prevention procedures, contact your supervisor and/or a Safety Committee member. Eye Protection DO be aware that shops and other areas where there is a danger of eye injury due to flying particles are designated as Eye Protection Areas. DO use eye protective equipment which is provided and strictly enforced in Eye Protection Areas. This applies to students, employees, and visitors. Hearing Protection 13

15 Hearing protection will be made available to any and all employees exposed to an 8-TWA of 85 decibels or greater at no cost to the employee. DO discuss necessity of hearing protection with your supervisor. Heat Prevention DO know symptoms of heat illness: fatigue, heavy sweating, headache, cramps, dizziness, high pulse rate, nausea/vomiting. DO tell your coworker or supervisor immediately if you or a coworker experience symptoms because you or a co-worker may need medical help. Do wear proper clothing; e.g. light colors, brim hat, etc. DO drink cool, fresh water if working in the heat or sun, at least one 8-ounce cup every 20 minutes throughout your entire work shift. DO take rest breaks in the shade to cool down when necessary. Use of District Vehicles DO NOT operate a District vehicle unless authorized by your supervisor operators must have a legal operator s permit or license. DO become familiar with the operation of an assigned vehicle it is your responsibility. DO drive with caution at all times. Seat belts MUST be used at all times while you are operating a District Vehicle. If involved in an accident: DO report all accidents immediately to your supervisor. 14

16 DO call the Highway Patrol or police. DO NOT discuss accident causes except with your immediate supervisor, Highway Patrol or police. IN THE EVENT OF A WORK INJURY IF A TRUE EMERGENCY DIAL 911 Report every injury IMMEDIATELY to your supervisor, or the District Risk Manager at (805) , ext You will be given an Employee Report of Injury that must be completed whether medical is required or declined. Any delay in reporting an accident may delay Workers Compensation benefits. If you require medical care and your supervisor or the Risk Manager are not available you must see a doctor in the District s Medical Provider Network (Urgent Care in Thousand Oaks or Newbury Park). Do not go to the hospital unless Urgent Care is closed, or your injury is life threatening. (If you have a pre-designated doctor form on file in personnel you may see your own doctor. The treating doctor s name and signature agreeing to treat must be listed on the form). If you receive medical care you must report any work restrictions to your supervisor as soon as you return to work. This also includes follow up visits. Other than the initial doctor visit, medical appointments are to be scheduled around an employee s work schedule, not on District time. Exceptions can be made if the doctor cannot see the employee outside of the employee s work schedule. If you have questions regarding an injury you my contact: District Risk Manager (number above) Dept. of Industrial Relations (next page) York Insurance Services (next page) 15

17 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FIRE POLICE AMBULANCE 911 THOUSAND OAKS URGENT CARE (805) NEWBURY PARK URGENT CARE (805) HOSPITAL (805) (Los Robles) Your employer has received permission from the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations, State of California, to Selfinsure its Workers Compensation liabilities under Certificate of Consent to Self-Insure No. 7534, effective 1/16/78. This certificate is valid until revoked. If you have any questions about your Workers Compensation benefits you may call the Department of Industrial Relations Information and Assistance Center; toll free, at any time. The number is Conejo Valley Unified School District s Workers Compensation claims and benefits are administered by: York Insurance Services P O Box Roseville, CA Phone: (805)

18 SUSPENSION/DISCIPLINARY ACTION Board Policy 4118 All employees are required to exhibit professional and appropriate conduct and serve as positive role models at school and in the community. Unacceptable conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with law, collective bargaining agreement, Board policy and administrative regulations. (cf. 4141/ Collective Bargaining Agreement) The Superintendent or designee shall develop administrative regulations that identify types of misconduct and possible consequences. Disciplinary actions may include, but not be limited to, verbal warnings, written warnings, reassignment, suspension, freezing or reduction of wages, compulsory leave and dismissal. The Superintendent or designee may take disciplinary action as he/she deems appropriate in light of the particular facts and circumstances involved. He/she shall ensure that disciplinary actions are taken in a consistent, nondiscriminatory manner and are appropriately documented. 17