Each department head shall be directly responsible for the safety record in their department and is designated as responsible to the City Manager for employee safety. The department head has supervisory responsibility for all safety functions and activities within his or her area. For purposes of this article the City Clerk, the Finance and Personnel Director, the Director of Planning and Inspections, the Director of Environmental Services, the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, the Parks, Recreation Director, Facility Maintenance and Grounds Director, and the Director of Engineering shall be known as department heads. Each department head will be required, as a condition of employment, to report any and all safety violations to the Safety Coordinator and the City Manager. Each department head will:
(A) Hold each superintendent, supervisor, deputy chief, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, and any other person in a position with a supervisory capacity, accountable for injuries incurred by his or her employees. To provide leadership by setting a proper example for all employees, be responsible for successfully operating the department safety program and completing the department’s safety objectives;
(B) Develop policies and standard operating guidelines and ensure they are complied with by all personnel under his or her direction. A copy of the required SOGs shall be given to the City Manager within 30 days of the effective date of this program and shall be updated according to changes in departments/divisions;
(C) Ensure that all employees (part-time and full-time), new and old, are trained or retrained in the accepted safety methods. Continued on the job training so that safe and proper procedures will be followed is critical;
(D) Responsible for the provision and use of mechanical guards and personal protective equipment by the employees under their jurisdiction. This shall include regular instruction on the proper use of all equipment;
(E) Hold employee safety meetings when applicable to review accidents, analyze their causes, and promote free discussion of hazardous work problems and possible solutions;
(F) Encourage safety suggestions and written comments from all employees and adopt those that are feasible;
(G) Require incidents to be promptly reported to the Safety Coordinator and direct supervisor, thoroughly investigated by supervisory personnel and properly recorded. In addition, ensure that proper disciplinary action is taken if warranted and documented with Human Resources;
(H) Ensure that prompt, corrective action is taken whenever unsafe conditions are recognized and unsafe acts are observed;
(I) Ensure that all employees are physically and mentally capable of performing their tasks;
(J) Be responsible for the processing of worker’s compensation claim forms involving departmental employees and submitting those forms to Human Resources for handling; and
(K) Serve on a safety committee or inspection team when appointed or elected.
(Ord. passed 2-18-03; Am. Ord. passed 8-29-09; Am. Ord. passed 6-21-11)