(A) Implemented. Each employee shall be provided with a copy of the safety rules. It will be the responsibility of every employee to study carefully and observe these rules, especially those applying to his or her particular duties. Rules shall be strictly enforced and ignorance thereof shall not be accepted as an excuse for violation.
(B) Enforcement.
(1) Department Supervisors and safety coordinators shall be responsible for the enforcement of all safety rules. The department supervisor shall, upon observing unsafe acts immediately take appropriate action. Employees and supervisors who violate these rules shall be disciplined. Employees and supervisors who violate these rules shall be subject to one of the following:
(a) Verbal reprimand;
(b) Written reprimand;
(c) Suspension for a limited time, the period of suspension being dependent on seriousness of the offense; or
(d) Discharge.
(2) The employee involved in an accident or injury shall, when possible, file an accident report with Supervisor before he or she leaves the premises. When the employee is unable to file such report, the Supervisor will file the report. The report should include the following information:
(a) Name of employee;
(b) Date and time of injury;
(c) How accident happened;
(d) Nature of injury;
(e) Medical treatment given; and
(f) Name of doctor.
(3) If an employee is called upon to perform work which he considers hazardous and not properly protected, he shall bring the matter to the attention of his supervisor before commencing work. These rules represent minimum requirements and are only intended to cover average conditions. Since it is impossible to cover all conditions and emergencies, the earnest cooperation of all employees with their supervisors is requested in meeting conditions not provided for in this policy.
(4) If an employee is assigned to work he is not qualified to perform, he shall call this to the attention of his supervisor. Before starting a job, each employee shall understand the work to be done and the safety rules that apply. Pre-job or "tailgate" discussions will promote safe operations.
(C) Guidelines; precautions. Employees shall follow and obey the safety guidelines and precautions.
(1) Practical jokes and horseplay have no place on the job. Any employee participating in such activities shall be subject to disciplinary action.
(2) Drinking of alcoholic beverages or use of drugs, on the job or during work hours is prohibited. Any employee reporting to work under the influence of alcoholic beverage or drugs or consuming alcoholic beverages during working hours or during lunch break, shall be subject to disciplinary action.
(3) Only authorized personnel will operate city equipment at the direction of the superintendent.
(4) All hazard and warning signs and tags will be obeyed.
(5) Personnel shall avoid wearing loose clothing while working near machinery or equipment with moving parts.
(6) If a machine or equipment is not operating properly, the operator shall notify the superintendent.
(7) No machinery shall be serviced or repaired while in operation.
(8) Employee shall barricade all areas when working by setting traffic cones, illuminated barricades or placing appropriate signs.
(9) All employees involved in welding shall wear a welding helmet or cutting goggles. Welding will never be performed on or near a fuel tank.
(10) No employee shall hold by hand any material to be cut, drilled, or welded. Proper clamps and vises should be used when appropriate.
(11) All spills are to be cleaned up immediately on job site or shop area.
(12) Employees shall observe all precautions contained in labeling for hazardous/toxic substances that may be required to use.
(13) Safety glasses shall be worn when employee is engaged or close to work involving power grinding, flame welding, cutting, drilling overhead, handling of acids or caustics, and any other job which may be dangerous to the eyes.
(14) Hard hats shall be worn at all times, in area where head injuries are possible.
(15) All equipment used by employee on job assignment shall be cleaned and returned to storage location either daily or at the end of the current job, depending upon the situation.
(16) Maintenance supervisor shall designate proper storage area for tools and equipment.
(17) All work areas and vehicles shall be kept clean and orderly. Scrap and waste materials are to be discarded in a manner to be designated by supervisor.
(18) Employees who operate vehicles must obey all traffic regulations.
(19) Employees working within a street right-of-way shall wear a safety vest.
(20) All gas cans, paints, thinners, and solvents shall be properly labeled and stored upright in an area designated by Supervisor's.
(21) Employees shall refrain from smoking in an area designated as a "No Smoking Area".
(22) Ventilation shall be used in all buildings and structures that contain chemicals or other potential hazardous gases. Mechanical blowers shall be used for ventilation and removal of hazardous or toxic fumes.
(23) No employee shall perform electrical work except under the supervision of the supervisor.
(24) Metal ladders shall not be used for performing electrical work.
(25) Ear protection devices shall be used when operating any equipment or working in a high noise area.
(26) Rubber gloves should be worn when handling chemicals.
(D) Form of Employee Notice. A notice containing the following provisions shall be given to all department heads and all employees other than city police officers that:
(1) It is the policy of the city that every employee is entitled to work under the safest possible conditions. And every reasonable effort will be made in the interest of accident prevention, fire prevention and health preservation. The city will endeavor to maintain a safe and healthful work place.
(2) The city believes that practically all accidents can be prevented by taking common sense precautions.
(3) The responsibility for safety in each department remains with the department head. Each supervisor is to ensure that work is done in a safe manner, inspections are conducted on a regular basis, hazards are reported, and accident investigations are conducted when necessary.
(4) In the overall effort to keep employees on the job and the public protected, the city will fulfill their obligations to serve the public and therefore expects the cooperation and support of its employees.
(E) Inspection procedures.
(1) The department supervisor is responsible for the following monthly inspection procedures:
(a) Conducting a safety inspection of department.
(b) Completing the safety inspection report.
(c) Submitting inspection report to the Public Works Director.
(d) Keeping two copies of the inspection report on file at the site.
(2) The inspection form will be reviewed by the Public Works Director and a copy will be kept on file.
(3) The monthly inspection is not meant to convey the idea that the city is safety conscious only one day per month. The city expects its safety officers to aggressively pursue safety consciousness and to correct all safety hazards immediately upon identifications.
(Ord. 1999-08, passed 8-9-99)