Administrative Regulation

AR 4257

Classified Personnel

Employee Safety

The Superintendent or designee shall provide safety devices, safeguards, methods and processes for staff that are reasonably adequate to render the employment and place of employment safe.

(cf. 4157.1/4257.1/4357.1 - Work-Related Injuries)

(cf. 4157.2/4257.2/4357.2 - Ergonomics)

Injury and Illness Prevention Program

The district's injury and illness prevention program shall cover all district employees and all other workers whom the district controls or directs and directly supervises on the job to the extent that workers are exposed to hazards specific to their worksite and job assignment. The obligation of contractors or other employers who control or direct and supervise their own employees on the job shall not be affected by the district's injury prevention program. (Labor Code 6401.7)

The district's injury and illness prevention program shall include: (Labor Code 6401.7; 8 CCR 3203)

1. The name/position of the person(s) with authority and responsibility for implementing the program.

2. A system for ensuring that employees comply with safe and healthful work practices, which may include but not be limited to:

a. Recognition of employees who follow safe and healthful work practices

(cf. 4156.2/4256.2/4356.2 - Awards and Recognition)

b. Training and retraining programs

c. Disciplinary actions

(cf. 4117.4 - Dismissal)

(cf. 4118 - Suspension/Disciplinary Action)

(cf. 4218 - Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action)

3. A system for communicating with employees in a form readily understandable by all employees on matters related to occupational health and safety, including provisions designed to encourage employees to report hazards at the worksite without fear of reprisal. This system may include but not be limited to:

a. Meetings

b. Training programs

c. Display of posters and bulletins

d. Written communications such as newsletters and reproductions of district's employee safety policy

e. A system of anonymous notification by employees about hazards

f. A labor/management safety and health committee

4. Procedures for identifying and evaluating workplace hazards, including scheduled periodic inspections to identify unsafe conditions and work practices. Such inspections shall be made:

a. Whenever introducing into the workplace new substances, processes, procedures or equipment that represent a new occupational safety or health hazard

b. Whenever the district is made aware of a new or previously unrecognized hazard

(cf. 3514 - Environmental Safety)

(cf. 3514.1 - Hazardous Substances)

5. A procedure for investigating occupational injury or illness.

6. Methods and/or procedures for correcting unsafe or unhealthful conditions, work practices and work procedures in a timely manner based on the severity of the hazard when observed or discovered.

When an imminent hazard exists which cannot be immediately abated without endangering employee(s) and/or property, these procedures shall call for the removal of all exposed staff from the area except those necessary to correct the hazardous condition. Employees needed to correct the condition shall be provided necessary safeguards.

7. Training and instruction:

a. To all new employees

b. To all employees given new job assignments for which training has not previously been received

c. Whenever new substances, processes, procedures or equipment are introduced into the workplace and represent a new hazard

d. Whenever the district is made aware of a new or previously unrecognized hazard

e. To familiarize supervisors with the safety and health hazards to which employees under their immediate direction and control may be exposed

(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)

(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)

(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)

Records of the steps taken to implement and maintain the injury and illness prevention program shall be kept in accordance with 8 CCR 3203.

Labor/Management Safety and Health Committee

The district's labor/management safety and health committee shall: (8 CCR 3203)

1. Meet regularly, but not less than quarterly.

2. Prepare and make available to affected employees written records of the safety and health issues discussed at committee meetings and maintained for review by Cal/OSHA upon request. These records shall be maintained for at least one year.

3. Review results of the periodic, scheduled worksite inspections.

4. Review investigations of occupational accidents and causes of incidents resulting in occupational injury or illness or exposure to hazardous substances. As appropriate, the committee may submit suggestions to the Superintendent or designee regarding the prevention of future incidents.

5. Review investigations of alleged hazardous conditions brought to the attention of any committee member. When determined necessary by the committee, it may conduct its own inspection and investigation to assist in remedial solutions.

6. Submit recommendations to assist in the evaluation of employee safety suggestions

7. Upon request of Cal/OSHA, verify abatement action taken by the district to abate citations issued by Cal/OSHA

Hearing Protection

When information indicates that any employee's exposure to noise may equal or exceed an eight-hour average sound level of 85 decibels, the Superintendent or designee shall implement a hearing conservation program in accordance with state and federal regulations. (8 CCR 5097, 29 CFR 1910.95)

Eye Safety Devices

Eye safety devices shall be worn by employees whenever they are engaged in or observing an activity involving hazards or hazardous substances likely to cause injury to the eyes. (Education Code 32030)

Such activities include, but are not limited to, the following: (Education Code 32031)

1. Working with hot molten metal

2. Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding and stamping of any solid materials

3. Heat treating, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials

4. Gas or electric arc welding

5. Repair or servicing of any vehicles, machinery or equipment

6. Working with hot liquids or solids or with chemicals which are flammable, toxic, corrosive to living tissues, irritating, strongly sensitizing, radioactive, or which generate pressure through heat, decomposition, or other means

(cf. 5142 - Safety)

Regulation PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

approved: February 8, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California