Safety Program

I. INTRODUCTION

A. PURPOSE

This procedure is necessary to provide a safe environment at the WSSB and to ensure compliance with state law (Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act - WISHA).

B. BACKGROUND

It is in the interest of student and employee welfare that sound safety practices are observed at all times within the total campus environment and its extensions.  Recognizing that since the safety of the environment and people within it touches all facets of the school's operations, a structured safety program is necessary to ensure safe practices on campus.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. SUPERINTENDENT

The Superintendent shall appoint a Safety Officer to serve as the school's Safety Program Manager or if no appointment occurs, the Facilities Manager will be the automatic designated representative.  Human Resources will serve as the Claims Manager or an appointee designated by the Superintendent and will work with the Safety Program Manager, Union Representatives, and Executive Assistant to send out a request for staff to participate on the Safety Committee, each year.

B. MANAGERS/SUPERVISORS

All directors, managers, supervisors, human resources and the safety committee and emergency task force are responsible for under­standing and implementing this procedure. Supervisors shall conduct self-inspections of areas of responsibil­ity and report workplace hazards to the Superintendent and/or Safety Officer.  They will work with supervisors and human resources to ensure that all new employees receive an initial on-the-job safety briefing to include job hazards, safety procedures, protective equipment to be used, if applicable, and procedures for reporting accidents and hazardous conditions.

C. EMPLOYEES

 Employees are responsible for complying with all safety and health standards that apply to their own actions on the job.  Specifically, employees shall:

1. complete agency safety training
2. cooperate in an attempt to eliminate accidents;
3. review their workstations and workspaces for safety and ergonomic concerns, reaching out to their supervisor, human resources, or the safety committee when assistance is needed in line with OFM’s ergonomic assessment process flow.
4. study and observe all safety rules;
5. offer safety suggestions to their supervisor or safety committee representative or emergency task force;
6. use proper safety devices and protective equipment as required, and apply the principles of accident prevention in their work;
7. use proper care of all personal protective equip­ment; and
8. report injuries/occupational illnesses within 24 hours or when safe to do so to the immediate supervisor.

D. SAFETY OFFICER

The Safety Officer also shall function as the Safety Program Manager in coordination with Human Resources.  They shall preserve accident data and all records as required for compliance with state safety and health programs and the Industrial Insurance Law and shall serve as advisor to the Safety Committee. Specifically, they shall:

1. provide periodic safety program performance analy­ses to management;
2. be prepared to represent management during the conducting of WISHA inspections;
3. monitor all WSSB safety training activities;
4. review all reports of accidents for adequacy of accident investigations in order to enhance acci­dent prevention recurrence;
5. further investigate serious accidents where clear­ly indicated; and
6. be a central point of contact for safety matters at WSSB.

E. CLAIMS MANAGER

The designated Claims Manager/Human Resources shall be responsible for the administration of the Industrial Insurance Program as required by Industrial Insurance Law.  Spe­cifical­ly, they shall:

1.  review all accident reports submitted;
2. set up and monitor claims file system;
3. review, maintain, and update individual claims until closed;
4. maintain and update OSHA log;
5. serve as an advisor to the WSSB Safety Committee; and
6. serve as a member of an inspection team for WSSB.

III. SAFETY COMMITTEE

The Safety Committee shall meet regularly to survey and analyze potential hazards which may affect students and staff.  This committee shall meet the requirements specified in WAC 296-800-13020.

A. The Safety Committee shall:

1. Review safety and health inspection reports to help correct safety hazards.
2. Evaluate the accident investigations conducted since the last meeting to determine if the cause(s) of the unsafe situation was identified and corrected.
3. Evaluate workplace accident and illness prevention program and discuss recommendations for improvement, if needed.
4. Document attendance.
5. Write down subjects discussed.
6. Record meetings.  Prepare minutes from each safety committee and preserve them for one year; and
7. Make them available for review by safety and health consultation personnel of the department of labor and industries.

B. The Safety Committee shall consist of the following members:

1. Staff as required per Collective Bargaining Agreements (article 20 of WFSE and article 19 of WPEA).
2. a Safety Officer appointed by the Superintendent or if no appointee, the Facilities Manager who will function as a nonvoting advisor;
3. a Claims Manager/Human Resources will function as a nonvoting member; and

C. The Safety Committee will agree on the date, hour, and location of the meetings.

IV. INCIDENT & ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

1. Supervisors, the Safety Committee, and/or the Emergency Task Force shall conduct a thorough investigation of all job-related accidents and injuries as required by the Washington Administrative Codes.  An accident report form shall be submitted to the Claims Manager within 24 hours or as soon as it is safe to do so.
2. Incidents will also be reviewed by the Safety Committee during Safety Committee meetings.
3. The Safety Officer shall review all accident reports and participate actively in the accident prevention process. They shall further investigate serious accidents.

V. FIRST AID

Washington Administrative Code requires all employees be afforded quick and effective first aid attention in the event an injury occurs on the job.  Managers and supervisors will assure the presence of personnel trained in first aid procedures in accordance with WAC 296-24-060.

VI. BULLETIN BOARDS

There shall be a safety bulletin board in every fixed workplace that has eight or more employees.  The safety bulletin board must be large enough to include information, such as:  safety bulletins, safety newsletters, safety posters, accident statistics and other safety educational material as per WAC 296-800-19005. 

VII. HAZARD REPORTING

All staff members are responsible for reporting physical or procedural hazards to their immediate supervisor.

VIII. CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

The Claims Manager shall ensure that industrial claims are processed in compliance with the applicable industrial insurance laws.

IX. VEHICLE SAFETY

The Facilities Manager shall ensure that vehicle mechanical safety is assured, and safety packets are maintained in current condition.  They shall ensure that appropriate emergency equipment is provided. Supervisor’s will ensure their assigned staff have completed driving safety.