SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL

PURPOSE:

To identify training required for occupational safety and health.

LEGAL BASIS:

General Industry Safety Orders, Title 8, Section 3203 requires for all California employers to implement an effective injury/illness prevention program which includes maintaining an occupational safety and training program designed to instruct employees in general safe and healthy work practices, providing specific instructions with respect to hazards specific to each employee's job assignment.


POLICY:

To comply with the training requirements of Section 3203, para. (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7)(B)(C), and (a)(7)(2) , the County of Santa Cruz has divided the training responsibility into four categories:

Note: Annual safety training varies by job class and position responsibilities. The Cal-OSHA Compliance Section requires a minimum of 30 minutes safety training per month, although it is not specifically noted within the Title 8 Sections. However, it is the usual and customary practice for Cal-OSHA to require safety training records as substantiative documentation to verify adequate training has been provided by employers to minimize potential for injury to employees. This minimum training requirement is satisfied through monthly safety meetings held by departmental safety liaisons using safety training materials prepared by OSH staff.

1. Category I - New Employee Orientation
   
   
   1. All new hires will receive safety orientation as a part of the hiring process. For those employees in high exposure positions such as Public Works Sanitation and Maintenance operations, POSCS, General Services Maintenance, Human Resources Maintenance, Information Services Installers, Probation, Sheriff and Detention Officers, will receive special training as required by each department.
      
      
   2. The new employee orientation safety and health training requirements will be the responsibility of assigned department supervisors.
      

2. Category II - Cal-OSHA Mandated Training Programs
   
   
   1. For those employees in environments which require operating powered industrial trucks, wearing respiratory protective equipment, exposed to substances requiring Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), working in noisy environments or working with charged equipment, training will be provided on an ongoing basis meeting all requirements as set forth in California Administrative Code, Title VIII. Mandated training programs include:
      
      
      1. Industrial Truck/Lift Truck (See Section XX.6.A.)
         
      2. Respiratory Protection (See Section XX.6.B.)
         
      3. Hazard Communication "Right to Know Law" (See Section XX.6.C.) 
         
      4. Confined Spaces Entry (See Section XX.6.D.)
         
      5. Lock Out/Tag Out, Program (See Section XX.6.E.)
         
      6. Hearing Conservation Program (See Section XX.6.F.)
         
      7. Hoist and Crane Safety Program (See Section XX.6.G.)
         
      8. Single, Split and Multi-Piece Rims (See Section XX.6.H)
         
      9. . Bloodborne Pathogen (See Section XX.17)
         

   2. These mandatory safety and health training requirements are the responsibility of individual departments and will be coordinated by the OHS Division of Personnel.
      
      
   3. Records of each training session showing date of training, subject and names of attendees will be maintained within each department. A master file will be maintained within the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division of Personnel. 
      

3. Category III - County Mandated Training
   
   In addition to the various Cal-OSHA mandated safety training programs, the County is dedicated to the presentation of safety and health programs for all of its employees whether on-the-job or off-the-job. As previously noted, Cal-OSHA Compliance Section requires safety training at a minimum of 30 minutes per month, although it is not specifically noted within Title 8 Sections. However, it is the usual and customary practice for Cal-OSHA to require safety training records as substantiative documentation to verify adequate training has been provided by employers to minimize potential for injury to employees. This minimum is satisfied through monthly safety meetings held by individual departments using training materials prepared by OSH staff. Additionally, a variety of programs are offered through the offices of the Training Task Force, the OSH Program, individual departments and by participation in outside seminars and conferences.
   
   Examples of County mandated safety programs are:
   
   
   1. Safety Inspections
   2. Preventing Heat Stress
   3. Hand Safety and Fitness at the Terminal 
      
   4. Slips, Trips and Falls
   5. Back Tips and Chemical Safety 
      
   6. Home Chemical Safety
      
   7. Video Display Terminals
      
   8. Chemical Hazard Communication
      
   9. Driving Safely
      
   10. Fire Safety
       
   11. Hearing Conservation
       
   12. Toxic Substances Recognition
       
   13. Lifting Safely
   14. Dealing With Stress
       

   Department Safety Liaisons have been provided a lesson plan on each of these topics and can provide employees with a copy for reference.
   
   

4. Category IV - New Process/Equipment Training
   
   Whenever job processes and/or equipment changes are introduced, it shall be the responsibility of the Department to initiate the appropriate training of all affected employees to insure the safety and health of each. Assistance may be provided through the OSH Division of Personnel and/or through outside sources. In all situations the OSH Division must receive a copy of the training provided to County employees. 
   
   
5. Recordkeeping
   
   The OHS Division of the Personnel Department will maintain records of all training programs by department, training category, names of participants and dates of training in addition to individual departments.