2.60.010 - Objectives.

The ever-increasing traffic and job hazards and the multiple opportunities for personal injury bring with them the urgent need for safety consciousness among all employees.

The purpose of this bulletin is to aid and assist our employees in the understanding and execution of safe practices and the development of safe working habits.

With the full cooperation of all employees of this county, we feel that much will be accomplished by our safety efforts in the reduction of injuries and damaged equipment.

This bulletin is for your information, guidance and welfare. We urge you to follow the rules outlined in it.

(Res. 124 § 1, 1970).

2.60.020 - General safety regulations.

(a)

In Case of an Accident (Injury):

(1)

Give first aid if qualified;

(2)

If necessary, call a doctor (have someone do this while you stay with the victim);

(3)

If ambulance services are needed, proceed as follows:

(A)

For a county employee, call ambulance at once,

(B)

For any other persons, advise law enforcement authorities that an ambulance is needed;

(4)

Do NOT move victim, unless necessary to do so in order to prevent further complications of the injury.

(b)

General Rules:

(1)

No employee will perform any operation in an unsafe manner. He will assure that every precaution has been taken to avoid loss or injury during each operation performed for our county;

(2)

In no case should a loss hazard or accident be regarded as just one of those things. Each of these, regardless of severity, should be reported to your supervisor immediately.

If you are involved in an accident on the street or highway, report the accident in accordance with the laws of the state also;

(3)

No employee will make any statement as to responsibility for any accident in which he is involved. Such statements will be made only on the accident report submitted to the insurance company on their special report form or to the safety committee during the accident investigation.

(c)

Housekeeping: Each employee must accept the responsibility for keeping his work area or equipment free from hazards by maintaining orderliness and cleanliness.

(d)

Horseplay: Any act of horseplay on work operations will not be tolerated. Practical jokes and misuse of equipment for purposes of intended humor are prohibited.

(e)

Reporting Unsafe Conditions and Practices: It is the duty of all employees to report immediately to their supervisors an unsafe physical or mechanical condition which may jeopardize the safety of anyone. This also applies to unsafe practices or work habits. The supervisor in charge shall suspend any unsafe operation or discontinue the use of any unsafe equipment.

(f)

Safe Work Habits:

(1)

All employees will be expected to perform their respective jobs in the safest possible manner. Take a fraction of a minute to ask yourself, "Is this the safe way?"

(2)

During all construction and maintenance operations, the provisions of the Uniform Manual for Traffic Control Devices, Chapter Five (Flagging, etc.), shall be followed.

(g)

Fire Precautions:

(1)

Care must be taken to assure that no open flame or sparks are generated when flammable material are exposed.

(2)

The uniform rule in case of a fire is, "Sound the alarm, then fight the fire."

(3)

Each employee will be expected to know the location of fire extinguishers in his area and how to use them. He shall also acquaint himself with the location of the nearest phone.

(4)

Access to all fire fighting equipment shall be kept free and clear at all times.

(5)

Flammable liquids in bulk shall be isolated in a safe location. Small quantities removed from the bulk supply shall be kept in safety containers.

(h)

The consumption of alcoholic beverages during the working day is strictly prohibited.

(Res. 124 § 2, 1970).

2.60.030 - Industrial safety rules.

(a)

Protective Clothing and Equipment:

(1)

Gloves: Substantial leather gloves should be worn by all employees who are handling rigging lines and bulk material. This will reduce the danger of cuts and infection due to the many sharp objects and rough edges encountered.

(2)

Head Protection: Hard hats will be worn by all employees when working on the road at all times, except that drivers in closed cab vehicles may carry their hard hats in the cab. These hard hats will reduce the danger of being injured by being struck on the head.

(3)

Footwear: Safety toe shoes should be worn by employees who are exposed to falling objects or to the danger of material being dropped from the employee's grasp.

(4)

Goggles, face shields and respirators shall be worn by an employee without exception when performing an operation where there is danger of the emission or discharge of hard or abrasive objects, dust or noxious fumes. Such operations include but are not limited to the following: Grinding, jackhammering, rock sledging, power broom operation and cleaning.

(b)

Guard and Safety Devices. Such equipment shall be maintained in good condition and in place around machinery at all times.

(c)

Lifting. Before attempting to lift by hand, an employee shall ascertain whether additional help will be needed to safely lift the load, and if necessary, get that help. He will make sure of good footing and hand holds, then lift with his legs, using a free easy motion without jerking. Lifting should never be done while off balance or in an awkward position.

(d)

Cleaning Materials. Only approved commercial liquids which are not injurious to the health, or flammable, should be used for cleaning purposes.

(e)

No unauthorized personnel shall handle or use explosives, i.e., licensed blasters, only, shall handle explosives.

(Res. 124 § 3, 1970).

2.60.040 - Vehicular safety.

(a)

In Case of Accident (Collision):

(1)

Call the enforcement agency giving location and brief description of what has happened.

(2)

Stay at the scene until investigating officers excuse you. Collect names of witnesses and other data for completion of the accident report card.

(3)

When the accident has blocked the roadway, assist in directing traffic until enforcement officers arrive.

(4)

See that all precautions are taken against further destruction of property or fire by prohibiting unsafe acts by others.

(b)

Reporting Accidents.

(1)

In no case should an accident be regarded as "just one of those things." All accidents, regardless of severity, should be reported to your immediate supervisor. Accidents involving vehicles on the streets and highways will be reported in accordance with the laws of this state. Failure to report an accident will be cause for disciplinary action. Wilful concealment of an accident will constitute cause for dismissal.

(2)

No employee will make any statement as to the responsibility for an accident in which he is involved. Such statements will be made only to his immediate supervisor and within their accident report forms.

(3)

Report shall be made in writing promptly to the engineer by individual if capable, otherwise by responsible witness.

(c)

Safety Equipment on Vehicles.

(1)

The following items of safety equipment will be carried on transport equipment at all times:

Fire extinguisher in operable condition

Flashlight (night work)

Flares

First aid kit

It will be the driver's responsibility to insure that these items are in the vehicle and are in good condition. Any shortages will be reported to the supervisor and replacement made before putting the vehicle in service.

(d)

Preoperational Safety Check.

(1)

Prior to operating any county vehicle, the driver shall in every instance check the vehicle to make sure it is in safe operating condition. The safety check will include the following:

(A)

Tires—for inflation and road worthy condition,

(B)

Brakes, lights, ICC Flashers, horn, wipers, directional indicators, and rear view mirrors to see that they are complete and in operating condition,

(C)

Check safety equipment to be sure that it is in the vehicle and in working condition.

(e)

Defensive Driving. Professional drivers realize that defensive driving is the key to accident free operations. Defensive driving embraces more than the legal responsibility it includes going all out for safety, doing everything within one's power to avoid involvement in an accident. Some defensive driving habits which employees are encouraged to develop are:

(1)

Observe the Smith System "The Five Keys to Space Cushion Driving" as follows:

Rule 1 Aim high in steering—see what lies ahead.

Rule 2 Get the big picture—see clearly, distinctly and do not "look down a tunnel."

Rule 3 Keep your eyes moving—fixation on one object will blind you to others.

Rule 4 Leave yourself an "out"—never get caught without a safe place to put your vehicle.

Rule 5 Make sure they see you—use your lights and your horn frequently and properly for the benefit of the other driver and your own safety.

(2)

Govern speed primarily by the stopping distance required.

(3)

Maintain all safety features of the vehicle in good working order.

(4)

Always signal before turning, changing lanes, or stopping. Be sure the signal is given in sufficient time to warn other drivers of your intentions. Plan your maneuvers far enough ahead to avoid hasty actions.

(5)

Avoid "tail-gate" driving.

(6)

Never pass another vehicle at intersections, railroad crossings or where vision is limited or obstructed. Be absolutely sure that the way is clear ahead and that passing can be completed without crowding the other vehicle being passed.

(7)

If the vehicle goes out of control because of the loss of brakes or steering mechanism or other malfunctions, the driver should make every attempt to avoid a situation which will result in bodily injury to him or to other persons. This means that the vehicle should be turned, if possible, into a vacant lot or area, should be crashed into an object which will stop it—such as parked cars, provided the crash will not involve an injury to persons. In general, it is unwise to "ride it out."

(8)

Never compete for the right-of-way. The green light means proceed with caution to the defensive driver. Cars approaching from side roads probably will not stop, so the defensive driver must be ready to stop to avoid the collision.

(9)

Stop signs and signals must be obeyed. This means a full and complete stop. After stopping, do not start again until movement can be made safely.

(10)

Make certain that the vehicle is loaded properly and that the load is secured before moving.

(11)

No vehicle will be left unattended without the emergency brake securely set. In cases of severe grades, wheel chocks will be used and front wheels turned to rest against the curb on the downhill direction.

(12)

Backing the vehicle will take place only after the driver has made absolutely certain that the way is clear behind. If there is a passenger in the vehicle, he should be used to direct the backing operation. In every case, the driver will make an effort to park his vehicle so that he will not have to back.

(13)

If a vehicle should break down in the road, make certain that it is clear of the traveled way and securely situated and protected by ICC flashers and/or flares before calling for assistance. Vehicles left parked in the lane of travel or protruding into traffic present severe hazards and must be avoided.

(Res. 124 § 4, 1970).

2.60.050 - County enforcement policy.

Because it is necessary to secure the cooperation of all employees of the county in order to make the safety program successful and because there are those who continue to act carelessly in spite of efforts to persuade them otherwise, it is necessary to have an enforcement policy in the safety program.

The policy will be based upon the decision in determining each occurrence as "preventable" or "nonpreventable." If an employee contributed to the accident either by something he did or failed to do, it will be determined as "preventable." If there was no contribution to the accident by an employee, it will be determined as "nonpreventable."

Violation of these rules will be grounds for reprimand, loss of work without pay, or dismissal whether the violation results in a loss or not.

One preventable accident will bring a warning to the employee and will cause him to lose his awards and recognition for the year. If this incident resulted from the wilful violation of these rules, it is possible that further action might be taken to include dismissal.

The second preventable accident in any eighteen month period will bring a temporary suspension of not less than three days or more than two weeks from the job, or it may bring a change of job classification. Again, if this second incident resulted from violation of safe practices as outlined herein, further action may be enforced.

Any employee who is involved in a third preventable accident within an eighteen month period has demonstrated that he is either incapable or unwilling to do the work in a safe manner, and because of this, he will be suspended without pay from the county for a period of time as recommended by the safety committee. Further action including dismissal may be enforced.

THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST IN YOUR OPERATIONS

We ask you to take the time to do your job safely, thereby assuring yourself and your family of continued satisfactory service with the county.

Participate in the program, make safety habits a part of your operation and you will find that, rather than taking more time, the safe way becomes the efficient way.

(Res. 124 (part), 1970).