topic: illness and injury prevention program - San Ramon Valley Fire

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
ORIG. DATE:
REV. DATE: 8/00
AUTHOR ID#: 116
TOPIC:
ILLNESS AND INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM
INDEX
INTRODUCTION...... ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ............2
INJURY & ILLNESS PREVENTION POLICY STATEMENT ........ ........................ ............2-4
SAFETY PROGRAM OVERVIEW.. ........................ ........................ ........................ ............4-6
RESPONSIBILITIES . ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ............6-9
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT ..... ........................ ........................ ............9
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION ........................ ........................ ........................ ............10
REPORTS AND STATISTICS.......... ........................ ........................ ........................ ............11-12
APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT SAFETY............ ........................ ........................ ............12
HEALTH AND WELFARE............... ........................ ........................ ........................ ............13-14
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELING PROGRAM...... ........................ ............14-15
EDUCATION AND TRAINING ....... ........................ ........................ ........................ ............15-16
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT........................ ........................ ........................ ............17

ILLNESS AND INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION:
Firefighting is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. Thousands of firefighters are
injured in the line of duty and hundreds more are forced to retire due to occupational diseases and
disabilities. Statistics reveal almost two hundred lose their lives each year in the line of duty.
Because statistics and research reveal many occupational accidents and illnesses are preventable
through an effective education and training program, the California Occupational Safety and Health
Act (CAL/OSHA) of 1973 and SB 198 was enacted to ensure that California workers receive such
programs.
PROCEDURE:
General Industry Safety Order (GISO) #3203 requires each employer to establish and maintain an
accident and illness prevention program for employee protection. This program must include but
not be limited to:
1. Training for employee in general safe work practices.
2. Specific instruction for employees in hazards unique to each employee's work
assignment.
3. Schedule periodic inspections of the work place to identify unsafe conditions and
work practices. The employer is to correct unsafe conditions and work practices
found as a result of these inspections.
The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) recognizes the health and safety issues
of their personnel, and with the expansion of minimum elements required by OSHA, will develop
and maintain a specialized and comprehensive accident and illness prevention program.
Development and conscientious implementation of such a program will reduce accidents, illnesses,
property damage and will result in higher efficiency at a reduced rate.
It is the intention of this district to employ, train, educate and maintain as high a degree of safety
and health provisions for its employees as possible.
The overall goal will be to ensure that our personnel reach retirement in as healthy a condition as
possible, through accident prevention and sound health and fitness programs.
1. It is the policy of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District to provide training,
equipment, policies and systems to prevent accidents, and to protect employees from
job related injuries and illness.
2. The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District will maintain an injury and illness
prevention program consisting of the following elements:
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a. Regular inspections of equipment and facilities for health and safety hazards.
b. Training and instruction of personnel in the use and hazards of equipment,
facilities and safety hazards for employees' functional job assignments.
c. A system of communicating with employees on health and safety matters.
d. A method for employees to report safety and health hazards.
e. A Safety Committee to study causes of on the job accidents and safety
complaints and to make recommendations for correction.
f. Permanent files of employee injuries, records of exposure to toxic and
hazardous substances, medical examinations, employee training, accident
and safety inspection records and actions taken to correct safety hazards.
g. A sound mental and physical fitness program.
3. The Fire Chief shall be responsible for maintaining a safe working environment and
for implementing an injury and illness prevention program for all employees.
4. The Safety Administrator shall be responsible for coordinating the Injury and Illness
Prevention Program.
5. Supervisors will be responsible for conducting regular and periodic inspections of
equipment and facilities, to identify work site hazards and unsafe working
conditions, and to make recommendations for correction of hazards.
6. Fire Captains will be responsible to train personnel in Fire District safety procedures
and to enforce District safety regulations and orders.
7. All Employees are responsible for complying with safety orders and policies
established by the Fire District. Pursuant to Administrative Procedures, Rules and
Regulations and/or existing Memorandum of Understanding, violation of District
safety regulations or orders may result in disciplinary action.
8. The Fire District shall provide protective clothing and equipment for each employee
whose duties require said clothing and equipment. Employees are responsible for
maintaining protective clothing and equipment in clean and operable conditions at
all times, and to use such equipment when required by District policy.
9. Policies and Procedures relating to safety will be available for all employees to
review.
10. Specific Bulletin Board space will be maintained at each work site to inform
employees about safety related matters.
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DIVISION:
11. Employees are encouraged to report any and all unsafe working conditions or
practices without fear of reprisal. Employees may report, anonymously if they
desire, unsafe working conditions or practices to their supervisor or the Safety
Committee, on appropriate district forms.
12. A Safety Committee consisting of District employees and Administration
representatives will meet regularly to review, investigate and recommend action as
necessary on the following items:
a. Work Site Inspection Records
b. Employee Safety Inspection Requests and Suggestions
c. Accident, Injury and Illness Reports and Records
d. Employee Health and Safety Training Programs
e. Fire District Safety Orders, Policies and Procedures
13. The Duty Battalion Chief for each shift will take action as necessary to correct
safety hazards and/or amend District Safety Policy in a timely manner as health
and safety hazards are identified.
Safety Program Overview
STRUCTURE:
SYSTEMS:
The program will, under the direction of the Assistant Chief of Safety Division, consist of a
Safety Committee composed of a Program Coordinator, Functional Supervisor (Committee
Chair) and an undetermined number of members; sufficient to handle department's
objectives and sub-committees.
Systems design will provide for securing information and awareness to all personnel in the
areas of health-fitness and safety. The systems devised must focus on daily safety
awareness. Special attention will be given to new employees upon their arrival, and
subsequent years of service.
1. Information-dissemination, bulletin boards established and maintained
2. N.A.F.E.R.S. Membership
3. OSHA - Develop Communication and use as technical advisors
4. Periodic officers meetings with a focus on safety
5. Investigations - Accidents - Health Problems - Fitness -Etc.
6. Professional Intervention - Employee assistance program
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STAFFING:
SKILLS:
7. Regular Safety Committee Meetings - To track our progress
8. A structured training program
Our Safety Division will be a cross section of personnel assigned to a sub-committee with
specialized tasks. It will consist of two or more members per sub-committee, including, but
not limited to:
1. Protective clothing and equipment
2. Information dissemination
3. Reports and statistics
4. Apparatus and emergency equipment
5. Health, welfare and physical fitness
6. Employee assistance and counseling
7. Education and training
8. Research and development
All line and staff members will be trained in areas of proper safety practices, fitness and
health skills. Training will be accomplished through a variety of methods listed below:
1. Seminars
2. Written materials
3. Research and Development
4. Professional Resources - Doctors - Dieticians - Employee Assistance
PROGRAM STYLE:
Due to the broad categories involved in a total health and safety program, the program style
must also be broad in its administration. All data gathered in reference to health and safety
must be analytical in nature.
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SHARED VALUES:
The public cannot be served by unhealthy or unfit individuals or organizations. All
personnel must realize that without exception, safety and health extends itself into three
general areas. The physical health and fitness; intellectual health and fitness; and our
emotional (feelings) health and fitness. These areas are interconnected and must be
approached as such, if our values as members of this organization are to be shared.
Hence, by all personnel sharing in these values, we can be assured of healthy personnel up
to and during retirement.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Employee safety is a district goal. Not only do employee injuries interfere with orderly
functioning of the organization but also, disabilities and deaths can cause substantial
personal and monetary loss.
FIRE CHIEF: Evaluate the results of the program constantly and continuously.
SAFETY ADMINISTRATOR (Administrative Assistant Chief):
1. Assign responsibility for accident prevention including describing the duties and
responsibilities of the program coordinator, line supervisors, safety committee and
employees.
2. Establish realistic goals and periodically revise them to ensure continuous and
maximum program effectiveness.
3. Evaluate the results of the program constantly and continuously.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR (Battalion Chief, Training):
His role includes the following:
1. Establishing objectives to accomplish district goals.
2. Monitor safety committee's activities to maintain proper direction.
3. Attend safety meetings to maintain communications between safety committee and
management.
4. Add or delete committee staffing as needed, to accomplish District's objectives.
5. Establish quality control systems.
6. Receive committee's accident injury reports and act in accordance within
jurisdictional guidelines.
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7. Rotate sub-committee members to ensure balance, maximum use of expertise and
stimulate interest.
As Chairman of Safety Committee he/she will:
1. Schedule safety meetings.
2. Attend seminars and designate sub-committee's attendance to those pertinent to their
division.
3. Assign committee members to investigate accidents.
4. Revise and update safety program guide.
5. Review and update administrative bulletins, S.O.P.'s and information sheets
concerning health and safety.
6. Coordinate annual inspection of personnel's protective clothing in April of each
year.
BATTALION CHIEFS, DIVISION SUPERVISORS:
Each Battalion Chief must accept responsibility for safety activities within their division.
Their duties should be within the context of the District's goals and objectives. They will:
1. Communicate management's goals to supervisors.
2. Observe, evaluate and counsel with supervisors. Retrain where indicated.
3. Train new supervisors.
4. Review accident reports on their respective shifts and sign appropriately prior to
routing to Personnel (Re: Captains and Acting Captains).
5. Receive and review accident reports from all personnel on respective shifts.
6. Implement the correction of any unsafe conditions as they arise utilizing direct
action and if necessary, referral to safety committee, etc.
7. Communicate district safety problems to management and provide feedback.
COMPANY COMMANDERS:
This being the first level of supervision, employee behavior regarding safety should
receive the utmost attention. They will:
1. Stimulate interest in safe work habits through personal example.
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2. Supervise and evaluate employee performance.
3. Observe and correct unsafe employee acts through training.
4. Should a safety problem be identified, implement corrective action A.S.A.P. Assess
problem thoroughly, determine its volatility, then act on it.
5. Report and investigate all injuries by employees under their supervision.
6. Carry on continuous safety training with all employees under their direction.
7. Conduct regularly scheduled safety meetings.
ALL EMPLOYEES:
With special reference to safety, employees will, as part of their condition of employment:
1. Perform their jobs in accordance with established safe procedures, recognizing
responsibility for their own safety and that of fellow employees.
2. Report all injuries and near misses to supervisor.
3. Report all observed hazards and institute their elimination.
4. Actively participate in the health and safety program.
SAFETY COMMITTEE:
Safety Committee members are required to attend and participate in all scheduled meetings.
Members are to notify the Program Coordinator if they will be absent. The next employee
on the Safety Committee eligibility list will replace any member missing 3 meetings in a
row or 5 in one year.
Safety Committee members will:
1. Recommend the adoption of safety policies and procedures to management.
2. Participate in developing safety training programs.
3. Review accident statistics and injury reports, in order to identify accident trends
and make recommendations for correction.
4. Review specific injury case histories where warranted.
5. Provide feedback from personnel to committee.
6. Function as members in one of the following categories:
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A. Protective clothing and equipment
B. Information dissemination
C. Reports and statistics
D. Apparatus and emergency equipment
E. Health, welfare and physical fitness
F. Employee assistance
G. Education and training
H. Research and development
DIVISION:
Protective Clothing and Equipment
INTRODUCTION:
One of the most important contributions to protecting a firefighter is providing guidance on
adequate protective clothing and equipment. A firefighter's protective equipment is the
primary defense against the hazardous environment in which he/she works.
The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District regards training in safety consciousness,
awareness, protective clothing and equipment the most important aspect of firefighting and
other emergencies.
The wearing, use and maintenance of protective clothing and equipment is both the
District's and the individual's responsibility. Many firefighters have been injured needlessly
due to non-use or carelessly using his or her protective equipment. Through training,
research and established procedures, each member of the District can eliminate possible
injuries.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To establish a written procedure covering the proper use and wearing of safety
equipment as required in the orders of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Board, Title 8, CAL/OSHA.
2. To establish proper maintenance of safety equipment using manufacturer's
recommendations or District S.O.P.
3. To establish procedures for replacement of equipment through District S.O.P. and
by determination of Company Officer.
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DIVISION:
Information Dissemination
INTRODUCTION:
Information dissemination should be regarded as one of the most valuable tools in the
success of any program. Too often important data is only passed to and from parties
involved. Wide distribution of statistics, safety information, results of accidents, etc. will be
San Ramon Valley's way of advertising and exposing all employees to pertinent
information.
OBJECTIVES:
SYSTEM:
1. Establish and maintain a Safety Bulletin Board for all work places.
2. To maintain current posting of safety information.
3. To increase overall awareness of the importance of safety.
The Bulletin Board will be of a size no less than 48" x 48". It will be divided into several
sections. Each section will have a specific heading.
Information to be posted shall be sent to the stations on a periodic basis in the form of a
packet.
The work place supervisor will be responsible for making sure the information is posted.
Each piece of information will have a disposition stating "Post on Safety Bulletin Board.
Read and place in Operations Safety Guide Section, etc.".
CONCLUSION:
All personnel will receive the valuable information as it is disbursed. Furthermore, we must
be able to retrieve it when needed for review or reference. By maintaining our Bulletin
Boards and Operations Procedures Safety Guide and Intranet, we will accomplish this
objective.
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DIVISION:
Reports and Statistics
INTRODUCTION:
A structured program of inspection, reporting and review is necessary to thoroughly
analyze the members work place in relation to unsafe acts and/or conditions.
OBJECTIVES:
SYSTEM:
1. Identify existing or suspected safety hazards in the work place, on the training
ground, on the fire ground, during inspections, and while performing all other
duties.
2. Provide a vehicle to review reports of unsafe or hazardous conditions or acts and
recommend necessary corrections.
3. To inform all personnel of any unsafe acts or conditions to prevent accidents and
injuries.
4. To provide a means to report unsafe acts or conditions even if any injury has not
yet occurred. (near misses)
5. To provide a procedure to request a change in methods or procedures if they are
thought to be unsafe, dangerous or hazardous.
6. To provide a system to study records and reports of injuries as a means to prevent
future accidents and injuries.
This division will rely on information derived from the Supervisors meetings, utilizing
safety or health action request as well as information from injury reports, to analyze
conditions, acts, and accidents. This information will be reviewed by personnel and
committees to reduce and prevent future accidents.
EMPLOYEE SAFETY INFORMATION FORM:
An Employee Safety Information Form request will be completed by any member of the
District upon discovery of an unsafe act or condition. This may be in addition to reporting
items found during monthly safety inspections. Once completed, the form is sent to the
Safety Committee Coordinator for processing. Should this process unduly delay a need for
more prompt attention, the On-Duty Battalion Chief must be notified. The identity of the
reporting party and the signing of the form by the reporting party is optional.
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CONCLUSION:
DIVISION:
Once information is received and studied and solutions developed, the goal will be to
significantly reduce injuries to the personnel of the District.
Apparatus and Equipment Safety
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this division is to assimilate available information of apparatus accidents
and how to prevent them.
Determining what causes accidents is the first step in planning measures to prevent future
accidents.
OBJECTIVES:
SYSTEM:
1. Identify existing safety hazards or suspected hazards involving apparatus or
equipment.
2. Research any new equipment or related practices that may be safer than we currently
use.
3. Recommend change in District policy, apparatus modification or equipment
purchases if research and development information is conducive to District needs.
1 . Through accident investigation or letters of concern from personnel, problem areas
will be identified.
2. By attending safety classes, seminars and keeping abreast of current publications
and bulletins, new equipment and practices may be studied for our possible use.
3. Through the findings of accident investigation and the research of the new
equipment and practices, recommendations may be made.
CONCLUSION:
Once information has been researched and preventative measures have been developed, the
results will be presented to the members through the Training Division. This information
may also be forwarded to the apparatus committee for their consideration with regard to
apparatus modification or purchase.
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DIVISION:
Health and Welfare
INTRODUCTION:
Statistics show there is a direct correlation between firefighter injuries and physical
conditioning. The biggest problems in implementing physical fitness programs has been the
attitude of employees towards the program itself.
To combat this problem, San Ramon Valley Fire has made it possible for each employee to
engage in an exercise program daily. The program is designed to develop and maintain an
adequate cardiovascular fitness level. Also, it is essential, due to the nature of the
occupation to be properly conditioned to meet stress demands as well as engage in proper
eating habits and weight control. In important part of the overall goal.
OBJECTIVES:
SYSTEM:
1. Make each employee aware of the importance of health & fitness.
2. Encourage smoking elimination.
3. Stress management.
4. Develop fitness levels for all employees.
5. Develop employee physical conditioning awareness.
6. Direct employees to professional and medical counseling assistance.
1. Widely advertise program through posters, films, and seminars.
2. Disseminate dietary information.
3. Encourage and direct employees to utilize Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
where applicable.
4. Include a health and welfare session in firefighter recruit training.
5. Stress need for complete physical and require when appropriate.
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CONCLUSION:
DIVISION:
The overall goal of the health and welfare program is to have each employee reach and
maintain a maintenance level of fitness. To be successful, the program needs the support
and participation of all levels of fire department organization. Effective supervision of the
program is also essential. The intent of the program should not be to "weed" out unfit
employees, but to bring all employees into compliance with physical standards. All
employees will be made aware of various assistance programs available and encouraged to
participate.
Employee Assistance & Counseling Program
INTRODUCTION:
No one gets through adult life without problems. Many times, the way we handle these
problems result in more stress and make the problems worse. Not recognizing or dealing
with these problems can lead to more serious consequences. The heaviest burden of
concern can be eased if the problem can be shared by a trained professional counselor.
OBJECTIVES:
SYSTEM:
1. To ensure all personnel and their families are aware of the mechanics and
procedures of the employee assistance and counseling program.
2. To bring an awareness of the type of assistance and counseling program.
3. To assure all employees and their families that the service is confidential.
Services
The services are as broad as alcoholism, problem drinking and drug abuse to financial
management, emotional stress, or other personal problems or concerns.
The hardest thing we have to face is admitting to ourselves that we have a problem and that
we need help. It isn't easy to admit to another person that we are having trouble handling
our problems alone. What is a tremendous burden to one person can become a lighter load
when shared with someone professionally trained to counsel and help others on personal
problems.
Service Provider
The District will use an independent organization which provides preventative health
services to many types of employee groups. Its counseling staff will have had years of
successful experience in handling human problems.
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Cost
There is no charge for the counseling service. Many times, a single phone call can provide
the information needed. Often a few hours with a trained counselor can result in a plan to
correct the causes of the problem. Where more extensive help is needed, the Employee
Assistance Program, after clarifying the problem and developing an agreed-upon resolution
plan, can make arrangements for counseling beyond the sessions provided through the
program.
When To Seek Help
As soon as you think there is a problem you can't handle, seek counsel. Many personal
problems don't get better without outside assistance. Often the longer you wait to seek help,
the more serious the problem becomes.
How To Obtain Services
Call the EAP via the phone number posted throughout the District. The person there will set
an appointment with the proper counselor. All contact with the Employee Assistance
Program is strictly confidential and handled in the same way as the privileged information
you give your doctor, lawyer, or clergyman. Employees who use the Employee Assistance
Program are assured that their problems and its source, treatment or disposition will remain
confidential.
CONCLUSION:
DIVISION:
Today, all too often, life situations create worry, anxiety, stress, or depression. Problems
often spread from part of our lives to effect our relationships, health, and work. Problems
can gain a grip on us, if we don't realize we need help in coping with them. San Ramon
Valley Fire is making counseling services available to all employees and their families. It is
hoped that they will avail themselves of this confidential service to assist them in solving
their problems.
Education and Training
INTRODUCTION:
Employee Health and Safety can only be achieved through the efforts and cooperation of
all personnel. Training personnel in the skills and values of Health and Safety practices
will be a main area of activity within the Fire District.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Increase personnel awareness to the extent that injury and sickness will become a
primary prevention activity.
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SYSTEM:
2. Provide monthly agenda of safety and health meetings.
3. Design by July 1 of each year, the entire annual Health and Safety training
activities of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District and present to the
Training Division.
4. Each member of the Safety Committee to attend a minimum of one training
seminar or workshop applicable directly to their division.
5. That all Safety Committee members attend an accident investigation course
approved by the District.
6. That all members of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District's staff and
Safety Committee become certified safety officers as adopted by Incident
Command System and NIIMS program, as practical.
The Health and Safety Program will rely heavily on information handling. Each work place
supervisor will conduct a formal safety meeting each month. Included within the scope of
the meeting will be an agenda, accident and injury reports, information on Health and Safety
and a Safety Committee Report advising personnel of the various items being addressed by
the Committee.
The various visual aides available to the District will be utilized as an integral part of our
safety training. These will be scrutinized and selected visual aides will be presented on a
regular basis.
Each year, the Safety Committee will provide an annual schedule to the Training Division
for information and use to plan and organize the completed annual schedule. Frequent
communication between the safety and training divisions will be necessary to ensure that
the schedule is followed.
The advanced training of our Safety Committee in the areas of accident investigation and
prevention is an essential part of this system. When courses become available, committee
members, will be able to attend wherever practical.
Safety at emergencies will be enhanced by the Staff's certification as Safety Officers as
defined in the Incident Command System & NIIMS Program. Where certification is
available to us, select staff members will be certified. This broad certification will be
necessary to avoid informational and philosophical differences.
CONCLUSION:
It is obvious that training and safety focus is a constant activity and will be with us
indefinitely. The success of any program depends largely upon the resources and
cooperation of all personnel. The training and education of our personnel in the areas of
safety will play a major role in preventing accidents and injuries now and in the future.
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DIVISION:
Research and Development
The purpose of this division is to thoroughly research, test and evaluate all safety
equipment, and develop procedures with the assurance all local, state and federal
regulations are met prior to implementation.
OBJECTIVES:
SYSTEM:
1. Consistently improve on personnel's safety.
2. Provide personnel with the best available safety equipment.
3. Operate within all State, Federal and local safety regulations.
4. Realize economical advantage of personnel safety to the District.
5. Improve on personnel's morale.
6. Provide information for decision making.
1. Review and revise all safety programs.
2. Maintain association and communications with Cal Osha, NIOSH, County Health,
NAFERS, etc.
3. Maintain open communication lines between Safety, Training and Apparatus
Committee.
4. Extend invitations to vendors and manufacturers for demonstrations.
5. Thoroughly train all personnel on new equipment and procedures.
CONCLUSION:
"WE MUST KNOW, NOT GUESS". A safe worker is a happy worker. Safety is a high
priority condition. Through proper research, development and implementation, this
condition is achieved.
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