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1st Quarter of 2012

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Policy 2103: General Safety

Policy 2103: General Safety

YAKIMA COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 12

10000 ZIER ROAD

YAKIMA, WA 98908

POLICY # 2103

COMMISSION CHAIR SIGNATURE: s/b Ken Eakin, Chair

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/1997

REVISED: 3/11/08

POLICY TITLE: GENERAL SAFETY

RESCINDS: RULE 3.09, 7.13, 7.25, 7.27

REFERENCE: NFPA 1500, SOG 3-1, WAC 296-305

1.0 RISK MANAGEMENT

The concept of risk management shall be utilized on all emergency incidents and during all District operations.

· Activities that present a significant risk to the safety of the members shall be limited to situations where there is potential to save endangered human lives.

· Activities that are routinely employed to protect property shall be recognized as inherent risks to the safety of members, and actions shall be taken to reduce these risks.

· The Incident commander shall evaluate the risk to members with respect to the purpose and potential results of their actions in each situation.

2.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to assist employers and employees in the reduction of work related injuries and illness. It is the intent of the District that the provisions of this policy be used to assist both the employers and employees in achieving the safest workplaces reasonably attainable under the conditions to which employees are or will be exposed.

3.0 DISTRICT SAFETY OFFICER TO BE APPOINTED

A Safety Officer shall be designated by the Fire Chief responsible for developing a comprehensive safety program to include the element of, prevention, training, safety meetings, accident investigation, maintain records and assigned as chair of the Safety Committee.

4.0 INCIDENT SAFETY OFFICER TO BE APPOINTED (ISO)

The incident Commander (IC) is the Safety Officer until he/she appoints a designated Incident Safety Officer (ISO). Officers trained as Incident Safety Officers may be designated as the ISO. The ISO shall identify existing and potential hazardous situations on the scene. The ISO shall have the authority to cause immediate correction of situations that create an imminent hazard to personnel. The ISO shall immediately inform the IC of any actions taken to correct imminent hazards at an incident and/or drill.

5.0 SAFETY COMMITTEE TO BE ESTABLISHED

The District shall appoint a Safety Committee comprised of equal employee employer representation. The Safety Committee shall meet on a scheduled basis as established by the Committee but shall meet not less than one hour quarterly. Minutes shall be maintained, posted and filed. The Fire Chief shall receive a copy of the minutes. The Safety Committee shall review all occupational accidents and illnesses, or other safety concerns and make recommendation to the Fire Chief.

6.0 SAFETY INSPECTIONS TO BE CONDUCTED

All District facilities, equipment, portable fire extinguishers, utility straps and life lines shall be inspected on a monthly basis to insure they are reasonably free of recognizable physical hazards. Records shall be maintained of all inspections.

7.0 INJURY AND ILLNESS REPORT FOR FIREFIGHTERS

Occupational accidents that cause injury or illness to a firefighter or other employee, or whenever a firefighter or other employee becomes aware of an illness apparently caused by occupational exposure, it shall be the duty of such firefighter or other employee, to report the injury or illness to the officer in charge immediately.

8.0 REPORTING OR INJURIES DUE TO NEGLECT

Members who receive injuries while in the performance of their duties, which results from carelessness, willful neglect or other causes on the part of any person, firm or corporation, shall not sign any release from liability without obtaining permission of the Fire Chief.

9.0 REPORTING FATALITY OR PROBABLE FATALITY ACCIDENTS

Whenever an injury occurs to a firefighter or other employee while on duty and the injury results in a fatality, or probable fatality, the employer shall report the accident to the division of industrial safety and health by the fastest means available. The District shall assist that agency in any investigation.

10.0 ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS

All accidents and safety problems shall be investigated to a conclusion by the District Safety Officer and a report with recommendations forwarded to the Fire Chief. When an injury or fatality occurs to a firefighter or other employee while on duty, equipment involved shall not be moved until investigated by the authority having jurisdiction except where removal is essential in providing medical aid, preventing further accidents or is essential in the continuance of emergency actions. Any equipment in use during an injury or fatality must be impounded, tagged as evidence and remain protected until such items can be turned over to the investigation team or law enforcement. Documentation and photographs of the scene and evidence must be completed prior to removing key pieces of evidence.

11.0 ALCOHOLIC AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

Alcoholic beverages shall not be allowed in Fire District facilities or premises except at those times when stations are used as community centers. Controlled substances shall not be allowed in stations.

Exception: Controlled substances allowed in stations if used by the profession to be administered to patients or medications prescribed by a physician, unless such prescribed medication would impair the performance of the individual.

12.0 SAFETY BULLETIN BOARD TO BE MAINTAINED

A bulletin board or posting area shall be designated for safety and health large enough to display the required safety and health poster (Job safety and health protection, form F416-081-000 and other safety education material provided).

13.0 HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM

The District shall provide a hazard communication program as required which will provide information to all employees relative to hazardous chemicals or substances to which they are exposed, or may become exposed in the course of their duties.

14.0 WRITTEN REPORTS TO BE MAINTAINED

The District shall maintain written reports on all accident investigations, safety meetings and safety reports.

15.0DOCUMENTATION

All injuries and accidents require an Injury/Exposure/Accident form to be filled out and forwarded to the District Safety Officer for review with the District Safety Committee. Any near miss or other potential safety problem shall be documented on the near miss reporting form and forwarded to the District Safety Officer for review with the District Safety Committee. Any member exposed to carcinogens from toxic smoke while on scene can complete a carcinogen exposure form and forward it to the Administration Of