New York State's Public Employee Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1980 brings safety and health coverage for the first
time to all public employees at the state and local level. The Act
provides that the same safety and health standards that apply to workers
in the private sector, namely Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) standards, which will be applied to employees in the public
sector.
This article shall apply to all County employees. All independent
contractors, agents, subcontractors, subordinate agents, agent helpers
and borrowed employees doing business with Suffolk County shall be
subject to the provisions of this article.
[Amended 10-22-1985 by L.L. No. 32-1985; 2-27-1990 by L.L. No.
11-1990]
A. There shall be a Safety Officer of the County of Suffolk, who shall
be an employee of the Department of Human Resources, Personnel and
Civil Service. It shall be the duty of the Safety Officer, in cooperation
with representatives of the Departments of Health Services, Fire,
Rescue and Emergency Services, and Public Works, to formulate an improved
employee safety practice, to make recommendations for employee training
and good safety and health practices, to provide an opportunity for
open communication on safety and accident problems and unsafe conditions
and/or practices which arise within the department, to recommend remedies
and/or preventative measures and to encourage support of management
and employees in implementing the safety program.
[Amended 9-15-2011 by L.L. No. 49-2011]
B. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Safety Officer, the
duties and responsibilities of this position shall be exercised by
the Personnel Officer or his/her designated agent.
This article is not intended nor shall it be construed or interpreted
to impose additional liability on the County or any County official
thereof. Further, it is not intended to limit any provision of a collective
bargaining agreement between the County and the recognized bargaining
agent. It is intended to assist the County and its collective bargaining
agents in the administration of the pertinent health and safety clauses
of said collective bargaining agreements.
This article shall take effect immediately, but shall not be implemented until 45 days after its approval by the County Executive, during which time the members of the Health and Safety Board shall be appointed and the rules of order (§
110-5B) of said Board shall be adopted.