[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of
Charles County 4-3-1979 by Res. No. 79-23. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
A.
The basic purpose behind the establishment of a defined employee
occupational safety and health program is to prevent or substantially
decrease all types of accidents, occupational illnesses and diseases
in order to increase productivity and to reduce the losses incurred
by the County and the taxpayers of Charles County, Maryland.
B.
The occupational safety and health policy outlined in this document
is applicable to all employees of the Charles County government.
It is the policy of the Charles County government to administer
its programs so that each employee works under safe and healthful
conditions, to seek out and correct unsafe conditions, to eliminate
unsafe acts and to make accident prevention an inherent responsibility
of all employees. Every job performed by the employees of the Charles
County government is designed to serve the public and, in the performance
of this service, the safety of all employees and the public is of
major importance.
A.
Implementation of County policy. The heads of all departments and
agencies are to review carefully and critically their occupational
safety and health programs and take appropriate steps to implement
the County's occupational safety and health policy on a continuing
basis. Constant vigilance, effective action and sustained effort for
improved performance are required. Each County employee must likewise
seek constantly to avoid accidents to himself and others.
B.
Authority of Personnel Assistant. The Personnel Assistant has the
authority for the continuing appraisal of the employee occupational
safety and health program and for recommending to the County Administrator
any revisions or modifications considered necessary to improve the
effectiveness of the program.
A.
Establishment and maintenance; standards. The heads of departments
and agencies shall be responsible for providing safe and healthful
working conditions for all employees and for establishing and maintaining
an effective occupational safety and health program, which shall include
the following:
(1)
Providing proper leadership and direction by example.
(2)
Establishing an effective accident investigation and reporting program.
(3)
Ensuring that employees are trained in proper and safe work methods.
(4)
Being knowledgeable of the safety codes, laws, rules and regulations
pertaining to the work operations and equipment used in the department
or agency and ensuring departmental compliance.
B.
Supervisor responsibilities. A supervisor has direct authority and
responsibility for both the occupational safety and health of his
employees and the safe performance of the machines, equipment and
operations within his operational unit. Therefore, a supervisor shall:
(1)
Promote safety awareness by providing proper leadership and direction
through example, by personal contacts and by attending and participating
in safety meetings.
(2)
Assume full responsibility for the occupational safety and health
of his employees.
(3)
Develop safe work procedures for each job to eliminate or control
safety and health hazards and recheck jobs for safety when work procedures
are changed.
(4)
Train and retrain employees, new and old, in the safe methods of
doing their jobs, pointing out where safety and health hazards exist
and how employees should cope with them.
(5)
Ensure that employees are familiar with the occupational safety and
health rules and regulations as they apply to the job.
(6)
Ensure that the proper safety equipment and protective devices for
each job are provided, properly used and maintained.
(7)
Take prompt corrective action whenever unsafe conditions and unsafe
actions are observed.
(8)
Thoroughly investigate all accidents and near accidents, taking corrective
action to prevent their recurrence.
(9)
Ensure that all accidents, occupational illnesses and diseases are
promptly reported, regardless of the extent of the injury, illness,
disease or property damage.
(10)
Conduct frequent safety inspections of all work areas, operations
and equipment in order to improve housekeeping, eliminate unsafe conditions
and encourage safe work methods.
(11)
Obtain prompt medical treatment for injured employees.
C.
Employee responsibilities. It is emphasized that each employee has
a responsibility for the prevention of accidents, occupational illnesses
and diseases. Each employee must:
(1)
Be familiar with and observe the safe methods, rules and regulations
pertaining to his job.
(2)
Use only tools and equipment which he has been authorized and instructed
to use safely.
(3)
Use all safety equipment provided.
(4)
Wear clothing appropriate for the job.
(5)
Keep work areas clean and orderly.
(6)
Report immediately to his supervisor any condition or practice which
might cause injury, occupational illness or disease to employees or
damage to equipment.
(7)
Report immediately to his supervisor whenever involved in an accident
that results in personal injury or property damage, regardless of
how minor.
(8)
Refrain from horseplay.
By achieving the objective of the County's safety policy,
the number of accidents, occupational injuries, illnesses and diseases
and the costs related thereto can be reduced to a minimum. Accidents
not only injure and maim but also cause damage to equipment and property.
They, along with occupational illnesses and diseases, also impose
an added burden upon all operating departments and agencies due to
unnecessary waste and upon the taxpayer because of their costs.
The Personnel Assistant shall establish departmental safety
committees, composed of qualified employees, to review departmental
accident experience and to recommend policies and/or programs designed
to reduce accidents, occupational illnesses and diseases.
A copy of the reports of all accidents/incidents for which reports
are prepared is to be submitted to the Personnel Assistant.
