SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL

Topic:	RESPONSIBILITIES
Section:	INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Number:	XX.2.

Date Issued:	February, 1993
Date Revised:

PURPOSE:

To provide direction and line of authority in implementation and compliance of the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).

POLICY:

I. It is the policy of Santa Cruz County to identify responsibilities for the implementation of the IIPP.

II. The County is committed to providing a safe work environment which allows for employees to identify safety hazards without the fear of reprisal and an investigation and correction procedure that provides for these hazards to be mitigated at the earliest possible time, within fiscal constraints.

PROCEDURE:

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY

Each department is responsible for implementing an effective safety program, with all levels of management contributing to ensure that employees are aware of the safe operation/condition of their job assignment and work area. All managers are responsible for maintaining a minimum-risk work environment in the areas under their control. The degree of effort and focus needed will vary depending on the nature of the work performed. While they may assign responsibility and delegate authority to others, they are accountable to higher management for those preventable oversights and errors within their areas affecting employees, the general public or County/ private property and will be part of employee evaluation.

An Injury and Illness Prevention Program includes.
1. The appointment of a permanent Department Safety Liaison Representative for that department.
2. A written plan designating the person or persons responsible for implementing the safety program. Health Standards and all rules, regulations and orders applicable to his/her own actions and conduct.
3. A mechanism for identifying and evaluating workplace hazards, including investigating the cause of accidents, illness and exposures.
4. Methods and procedures for correcting workplace hazards at the job site.
5. An occupational training program covering hazards basic to all types of employment and those unique to each worker's job assignment.
6. A communication system that enables employees to freely discuss safety and health problems.
7. A system to ensure employee compliance with safe and healthful work practices including disciplinary action when appropriate.
8. Maintaining records, documenting implementation, operation and a periodic review of the departmental safety program.
SUPERVISORS
1. Are responsible for encouraging the proper attitudes toward safe job performance in themselves and in their subordinates.
2. Shall train employees or insure employees are trained in job safety and health practices.
3. Shall investigate promptly and thoroughly every accident to determine cause and to prevent recurrence.
4. Shall require all employees to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards and all rules, regulations and orders applicable to his/her own actions and conduct and document in employee's performance evaluation.
5. Shall set the example that employees can follow.
6. Shall encourage a climate of open communication between management and employees in all matters related to occupational safety and health.
EMPLOYEES

County employees are responsible for ensuring their own safety and the safety of others on the worksite by:
1. Learning and following the standards and procedures that apply to each job assignment.
2. Discontinuing any specific activity that the employee feels or knows could lead to injury, illness or damage to property, and promptly seeking guidance from their supervisor regarding the operation.
3. Wearing or using the prescribed protective equipment needed for a particular job.
4. Bringing to the supervisor's attention any activity, behavior or unsafe condition that could cause injury or illness to others or damage property.
5. Promptly reporting any occupational injury, illness, or property damage to their supervisor.
6. Report any emergencies, and assist when safe to do so, until emergency response personnel arrive.
7. To perform only those activities which can be accomplished within the physical capability, training, and hazard awareness of the employee.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGER
1. Direction of the overall Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
2. Act as a safety advisor for the County.
3. Identify various requirements and issues of the defined programs and coordinate departmental safety liaisons to carry out these programs.
4. Communicating with employees on occupational safety and health matters and encourage employees to report hazards without fear of reprisal.
5. Coordinate County-wide labor/management safety and health committee and provide staff support to that committee.
6. Prepares reports and studies on the effectiveness of the County Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
7. Assist departments in identifying safety and accident prevention programs designed to meet the specific needs for each department as required by California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 8.
8. Assist departments in identifying safety and accident prevention training needs. Review and schedule safety training programs as appropriate.
9. Assist departments in the implementation of and compliance with the California Occupational Health and Safety Act including periodic inspections to identify unsafe conditions and work practices.
10. Coordinate County safety matters with necessary endorsement agencies, civic groups, and private organizations, as may be necessary.
DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES
1. Manage, administer and coordinate the Agency/Department Safety Program as directed by the department head and OSH.
2. Recommend Departmental safety policies, procedures, rules, and standards to ensure safe working conditions and safe work practices.
3. Serve as a source of information on safety policies and procedures.
4. Review accident reports to determine types of injuries/illnesses and their causes; may refer Accident Reports to Occupational Safety and Health Division for review and investigation.
5. As necessary, prepare periodic and special reports for Departmental management regarding Departmental injuries and illnesses; identifying trends or changes which call for attention and recommending corrective action where appropriate.
6. Shall set the example that employees can follow.
7. Recommend means to eliminate or control hazardous physical conditions as well as dangerous work operations, recommending remedial action.
8. Recommend safety training efforts within the Department and assist in the development, coordination, documentation and training as necessary.
9. Review CAl/OSHA citations received by the Department, monitor abatement efforts and oversee responses to that agency.
10. Act as Departmental liaison responsible for the department's IIPP; disseminating information relating to safety and health matters; collecting, reviewing, and transmitting information from their Department to the Occupational Safety and Health Program Manager.
11. Monitor Departmental compliance with County policies and procedures, including those relating to injury/illness and vehicle accidents.
12. Assist Department management and supervisors in the promotion of safety awareness and education programs.
13. Act as liaison to the HAZMAT/Safety Committee.
14. Review and post departmental OSHA 200 Log Form, for all recordable injuries (coordinate with payroll clerk and Workers' Compensation Office).
15. Arrange for or conduct annual departmental fire and safety inspections of facilities and recommend corrective actions as necessary.
16. Maintain a Safety and Health bulletin board with current information, such as bulletins, posters, minutes of safety meetings and any other pertinent information regarding Safety and Health. This information should be disseminated to satellite locations.
17. Conduct departmental safety meetings and retain records of minutes, hazard reports, inspections, and corrective actions which affect the department.