Policy 2-1 RESCINDED BY ADMIN POLICY 3-23


Prior to the adoption of 2-1 on 03/18/2005, Policy 2-1 read as follows.


ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY 2-1

DISTRIBUTION:    ALL DEPARTMENTS

SUBJECT:     SAFETY PROGRAM

PURPOSE:    To establish a safety program which defines  administrative policy in reference to safety  practices and responsibilities.

BACKGROUND:    The City of Lawton believes that safe working conditions for all its employees can and must be  attained through the use of proper protective equipment, proper safety and job training for supervisors and first-line employees, frequent reviews and improvement in job safety practices and procedures, and conscientious supervision.  For these reasons this policy is established.

BASIC PRINCIPLES:    The following principles regarding accident prevention form the basis for an effective safety program:

1.    Accidents can and must be reduced in number    and severity.

2.    Accident prevention is the responsibility of all employees at all levels.

3.    All employees must understand that it is to their advantage, as well as to the City's, to work safely and that they are expected to cooperate to this end.

4.    Most safety hazards can be eliminated.

5.    Employees who exhibit unsafe behavior must alter this behavior or be removed from City employment for their protection and the protection of the public and fellow employees.

6.    Active, concerned, responsible leadership is vital to the success of this and any other program.

7.    Accident prevention is good business as it affects humanity, efficiency, and economy.

GENERAL
RESPONSIBILITIES:    The City of Lawton recognizes the need for the development of safe working procedures for every job.  It promotes the advancement of employee safety in the design and use of all facilities, equipment, and tools, and in the City's overall work environment. In providing a positive safety program to develop and maintain an attitude among City employees to protect themselves, their fellow employees and the City against bodily harm, equipment damage, and financial losses, the City endeavors to prevent the loss of tax dollars which are diverted from other essential City services and programs through costly accidents, injuries and insurance premiums.  It also seeks to reflect the humanitarian, economic and legal aspects of the program through a sincere interest in people and the value of human life.

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SUPERVISORY
RESPONSIBILITIES:    The City Manager, Department heads, and Division supervisors will consider it an essential part of their jobs to administer and actively support the safety program.

SAFETY OFFICER
RESPONSIBILITIES:    The Safety Officer will provide technical, training, and administrative assistance to supervisory personnel and Safety Committees in support of the safety program.  This will be done by identification and investigation of hazards, follow-up on accident investigations, inspections of work sites and facilities, conduct of safety training, recommending safety policies and programs, assisting with and coordinating job safety analysis, recommending safer procedures and appropriate protective equipment, and other actions as appropriate to provide the safest possible workplace for City employees.

EMPLOYEE
RESPONSIBILITIES:    All employees are required as a condition of employment to follow established and generally accepted safety rules, to use safe job procedures, to properly wear or use appropriate personal protective equipment, to provide proper work site identification and protection, and to otherwise help insure their safety and the safety of co-workers and the public.

SAFETY
COMMITTEES:    To assist in carrying out the safety program, The General Employee Safety Committee is hereby established. Safety or safety and health committees for Police and Fire personnel will be established as may be required by their individual bargaining agreements.

1.    By-laws
Each committee shall establish by-laws to assure efficient and effective participation in establishing and monitoring such programs as accident investigations, safety education, safety inspections, safety incentive programs and other such programs as may be necessary and desirable to enhance the safety of the employees it represents.

2.    Membership - General Employee Safety Committee

a.    Voting members shall include first-line, non-supervisory employees, but supervisory personnel may also serve.

b.    If possible, members should be selected from employees who volunteer to serve.

c.    The thirteen member committee shall be composed of safety representatives as indicated below.



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(1)    One each member from the following Divisions will be appointed by the Director of Public Works:  Street, Field Utilities,  WasteWater Treatment Plant, Water Treatment Plant, one representative from either the Electronics Maintenance or Equipment Maintenance shops to represent both shops, one representative from Solid Waste, and one representative from Animal Welfare.
(2)    The Parks and Recreation Director will appoint one representative from  the Buildings and Grounds Division, and one representative from the Leisure Services Division.
(3)    The Police Chief will appoint one representative (a general employee) for the general employees in the police department.
(4)    The Communications (E-911) Director will appoint one representative.
(5)    The Finance Director will appoint one member to represent the Finance Department.
(6)    The Employee Advisory Council will appoint an "At-Large" member.

d.    The Safety Officer shall act as a non-voting member and advisor to all committees unless appointed as a voting member.

e.    Members will be appointed to one year terms.  They may be reappointed to serve up to five consecutive one year terms.  They may be removed any time after six months at their own request, or if they fail to adequately carry out their safety responsibilities.  A member will be removed if they record more than two unexcused absence from committee meetings in any six month period, are involved in more than one preventable accident in a two year period, or fail to engage in required safety activities.

3.    Safety Committee Chairpersons

The chairperson for general employee safety committees shall be elected by popular vote of the committee membership each year in July and shall serve for a period of one year.  The Chairperson for police or fire safety committees will be determined in accordance with bargaining agreement provisions.

4.    Meetings:

The General Employee Safety Committee shall meet no less than monthly, at times and places to be indicated in committee by-laws.


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5.    Quorum

A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the voting members of each committee, or as specified in the applicable bargaining agreement.

6.    Duties and Responsibilities - Safety Committees

The duties and responsibilities of the Safety Committees and their members are as follows:

a.    Recommend safety rules, policies, and programs for the classes of employees that they represent.
b.    Review and act upon safety matters referred by the City Manager, Executive Committee, Safety Officer, City Departments, or employees in general.
c.    Perform on-site safety evaluations and conduct periodic review of safety equipment usage.
d.    Recommend appropriate safety education and training for employees.
e.    Devise and recommend incentive and awards programs to recognize outstanding individual and group safety records.
f.    Review selected vehicle accident, property damage, and injury reports to determine preventability and appropriate action to prevent recurrence.
g.    Publicize and promote employee safety and health.
h.    Refer recommendations on safety matters outside their scope of responsibility to the City Manager.

7.    Qualifications of Committee Members:

a.    Members will be provided with OSHA and ODOL safety reference materials, checklists and periodicals to familiarize them with safety requirements.  These materials will be available at the member's workplace for use in determining safe job procedures for the employees the members represent.
b.    At least once each year, the employee will receive professional safety training.

8.    Executive Support: No less than once each month the Safety and Risk Officer will meet with the Department Heads and City Manager to address the concerns and recommendations of the safety committees.  This assembled group will:

a.    Review actions and recommendations of committees and respond as appropriate.
b.    Identify safety trends and problem areas for investigation by safety committees.
c.    Approve/Disapprove resource commitment for major safety projects or programs.

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d.    Provide the impetus and support required to successfully implement safety programs.

DEPARTMENTAL
RESPONSIBILITY:    Every effort shall be made to resolve safety problems at the department operating level.  In order to assure an effective accident prevention program, the following duties and responsibilities are to be assumed by the administration of each Department and Division.

1.    Each Department and Division shall have a definite plan to properly orient and train all employees on the hazards, the applicable safety rules, required safe work procedures, and required and recommended protective equipment appropriate to the tasks that they will perform during their employment with the City.

            2.    To support and carry out the Safety Program of the City.

3.    To cooperate with the Safety Committees in all aspects of accident investigation and prevention.

4.    To allow safety committee members adequate time to carry out their safety related responsibilities, at least ten percent of the member's work hours are to be allotted for safety activities including inspections, training and records maintenance.

5.    To develop standards of safe operation in cooperation with the City Manager, Safety Officer and the Safety Committees.

6.    To take remedial action as appropriate to correct hazards, unsafe job procedures, faulty equipment or facilities, and unsafe employee behavior.

7.    To provide relevant records and reports as necessary to the Safety Officer and the Safety Committees.

8.    To meet with safety committees as required.

9.    To provide the safest and healthiest workplace possible for all employees.

REFERENCES:    None.

RESPONSIBLE
DEPARTMENT:    Legal (Safety)







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RESCISSION:    This policy rescinds Administrative Policy No. 10.34.1 dated November 1, 1991, and will remain in effect until rescinded.



___________________________
GILBERT H. SCHUMPERT, JR.
CITY MANAGER

September 1, 1995