[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of New Providence 11-14-1983 by Ord. No. 83-17.[1] Section 93-3H and I added at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Other amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Personnel policies — See Ch. 73.
[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 83-17 provided as follows:
"Section 1. A written manual setting forth certain standards of safety for the operation of the Borough of New Providence, entitled `Safety Manual of the Borough of New Providence,' copies of which are available to the public and which are maintained in the files of the Clerk of the Borough of New Providence, be and hereby is adopted by reference as though the text of said manual were herein incorporated and set forth in full.
"Section 2. Every employee of the Borough of New Providence shall familiarize himself/herself with said safety manual and shall, in all matters wherein its provisions shall apply in the performance of their duties, strictly adhere to the provisions of said safety manual. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
"Section 3. Said Safety Manual of the Borough of New Providence may be amended and supplemented from time to time by resolution of the Mayor and Borough Council duly adopted in the manner provided by law, and all such amendments and supplements shall be disseminated to all employees and officials of the Borough of New
A. 
Every employee shall adhere to the safety rules and regulations as set forth in this manual.
B. 
Employees must take every possible precaution to prevent accidents to himself, his fellow employees and the general public and to prevent accidents which may cause the loss of or damage to borough property.
C. 
Permit any competent person to use contents of your first-aid kit in treating injured persons; render no treatment yourself unless you are qualified to do so. Improper treatment by persons ignorant of the principles of first aid may result in more harm than good. Assist in calling a doctor, ambulance, police or other required help.
D. 
It is absolutely necessary that every employee act entirely within the law at all times. In the event of an accident, it must be demonstrated that the occupational and personal conduct of the employee has been above reproach.
E. 
Horseplay is forbidden during working hours. The borough is not liable for injuries to employees or to loss of or damage to personal property of employees while engaged in horseplay or private affairs.
F. 
If an employee is conducting any operation in a manner dangerous to himself or others, his attention must be immediately called to the danger. If he persists in continuing to work or act unsafely, it is the duty of any borough employee possessing such knowledge or belief to immediately report the situation to responsible supervisory personnel in charge.
G. 
Any employee who reports for work while under the influence of intoxicating beverages or a narcotic or habit-forming drug or uses them while on duty shall be forbidden to work. The offender will not be paid for a normal work day and may be subject to dismissal.
H. 
The name of the offending employee shall be immediately reported to the respective supervisor and department head and the Administrator's office.
A. 
Personal injury. In the event of an accident involving death or rendering an employee unconscious, the immediate superior or other authorized person shall immediately notify the Administrator's office.
B. 
Third-party accidents.
(1) 
If an accident is caused by someone not connected with the borough, such as when an employee is struck by an automobile, all possible information concerning the manner in which the accident occurred should be obtained immediately, for example, the name and address of owner and operator of the vehicle, operator's license number, statements by the operator and passengers, the name and address of insurance carrier, names and badge numbers of policemen investigating accident, description of scene with a sketch and the names, addresses and statements of witnesses. This information must be forwarded as soon as possible to the Administrator's office.
(2) 
All accidents of this nature will require that the local Police Department be called to investigate, and a copy of this report must be forwarded to the Administrator's office.
(3) 
No statement is to be made by any employee of this borough, either in writing or by word of mouth, regarding an accident in which property or employees of the borough are involved until the Administrator's office has been notified and arrangements have been made with the insurance carrier. Employees are not to sign such statements under any circumstances, unless approved by the borough.
(4) 
Every assistance and cooperation by all employees shall be given to such authorized representatives of the borough and to representatives of the insurance carrier insuring the borough's equipment, provided that such representatives produce proper credentials of identification, which shall be displayed to the employee who is being questioned, and to authorized police authorities.
A. 
Personal use and responsibility.
(1) 
The person in charge shall see that all men on the job are supplied with the necessary safety items for their personal protection while on the job.
(2) 
It shall be the responsibility of the person in charge to ensure that required safety items are on the job at all times.
(3) 
It shall be the responsibility of the person in charge to ensure the use of all safety items. The employee must wear and/or use safety items needed for the specific job.
(4) 
It shall be the responsibility of the person in charge to see that all safe working practices are carried out.
(5) 
An employee refusing to use such safety items as directed by the person in charge shall not be allowed to continue work without required safety gear. The person in charge will take appropriate action to ensure compliance.
(6) 
The person in charge will report the refusal of the employee to use safety apparel, gear or devices or his lack of cooperation to his immediate superior in writing, fully explaining the refusal in detail, with a copy forwarded to the Administrator's office.
(7) 
Should an employee find that a safety item issued to him is not in good condition, he shall report this to his immediate superior as soon as possible.
(8) 
Protective devices, gear and safety apparel shall not be used for other than the purpose intended.
B. 
Eye protection. Protective eye and face equipment shall be required where there is a reasonable probability of injury occurrence. Suitable eye protection shall be worn where machines or operations present the hazard of flying objects, glare, liquids or a combination of these hazards.
C. 
Hand protection. Gloves of the appropriate type shall be worn while engaged in any work operation where hands become subject to injury from wood splinters, sharp edges on metal, hot substances, chemicals, caustic materials, toxic liquids and all other materials, substances and objects which may cause injury to the hands.
D. 
Head protection. Safety hard hats shall be worn for the protection of heads from impact and penetration from falling and flying objects and from limited electric shock and burn.
E. 
Foot protection. Safety toe and foot protective devices shall be worn by an employee whenever performing any work operation where he is subject to having a heavy or penetrating object strike his feet.
F. 
Respiratory protection.
(1) 
Appropriate respiratory protective devices shall be worn by employees while engaged in any work where breathing air is contaminated with harmful dust, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smoke, sprays or vapors.
(2) 
In the event of a chlorine leak, the Fire Department is to be notified.
G. 
Hearing protection. Ear protection devices shall be worn by employees whenever engaged in work operations where the noise level is suspected to be beyond an acceptable threshold limit.
H. 
Road construction safety. The person in charge shall see that all active road construction areas are properly signed, barricaded and coned for the safety of employees against injury from road traffic.[1]
[1]
Providence."Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.
I. 
Safety vest. Safety vests shall be worn while engaged in work pertaining to road maintenance or repair.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.
A. 
Uniforms or other appropriate dress and shoes with substantial soles and uppers are to be worn at all times during working hours.
B. 
Employees who choose to wear long hair and who work around moving machinery shall wear a suitable head covering or otherwise have their hair fashioned in such a manner so as not to allow it to become entangled.
A. 
The right tool shall be selected for the job.
B. 
Tools shall be in good condition and used correctly. Using tools in defective condition is prohibited.
C. 
Tools shall never be thrown or used in such a way that anyone could be injured.
A. 
General.
(1) 
Equipment must be operated on the highways according to the rules and regulations that apply to other highway traffic. Department employees have no special traffic rights. All local traffic ordinances must be observed without claim of special privilege or authority.
(2) 
Park according to local traffic regulations within New Providence.
B. 
Roadside conferences. It is prohibited to hold roadside conferences while standing on the traffic side of a vehicle, even though when parked on the shoulder of the roadway.
C. 
Transportation of employees.
(1) 
It shall be the responsibility of the driver of a vehicle transporting employees to make certain that all passengers are seated properly before placing the vehicle in motion.
(2) 
The person in charge of those being transported will be held responsible to see that the passengers remain seated while the vehicle is in operation.
(3) 
Passengers shall be taken on and discharged from the vehicles on the curbside away from traffic.
D. 
Passengers.
(1) 
Only borough employees and others on official business are permitted to ride on or in municipal vehicles.
(2) 
No one shall ride on the hood, engine, fenders, top or sides of the cab.
(3) 
No one shall ride in any position where arms or legs hang over the sides of the truck body or tailgate.
(4) 
Passengers shall ride in a sitting position and remain in the vehicles until all motion ceases.
E. 
Disabled equipment.
(1) 
When trouble with equipment occurs on the road and the equipment is rendered unsafe to operate, it shall be the responsibility of the operator to see that the vehicle is placed in a safe position off the roadway so that it will not interfere with the general flow of traffic. Appropriate warning devices (signs, flags, torches or flasher lights) shall be displayed a sufficient distance in advance of the obstruction.
(2) 
Should the driver of a disabled vehicle not be in radio contact with the Department of Public Works and there is more than one person in the vehicle at the time, one person should remain with the vehicle while the other notifies the Public Works Department.
F. 
Loading.
(1) 
Should it become necessary to carry cargo which extends beyond the tailgate, red flags shall be attached to the end of the load for daytime travel and red lights shall be attached to the end of the load for nighttime travel.
(2) 
Do not leave truck endgate open unless necessary to accommodate the load and then only when the load has been properly secured with chains or ropes.
A. 
Operators will be held personally responsible for equipment in their charge to see that it is always in safe operating condition.
B. 
Equipment which is not in safe operating condition shall be immediately retired from use and shall not be used again until it is repaired and safe to operate.
C. 
Report all vehicle equipment defects at once. Do not drive with makeshift repairs.
D. 
Keep windshields and windows free from dirt.
E. 
Use blocks to hold a vehicle when changing tires.
F. 
Never attempt to remove a cap from a steaming radiator. Shut off the motor and wait until the water has ceased boiling.
G. 
When filling the gasoline tank, the engine should always be shut off.
H. 
The nozzle of the hose should be kept in direct contact with the tank to guard against ignition of the gasoline from static.
I. 
Care should be taken to ensure that the gasoline does not overflow.
J. 
A fire extinguisher should be available nearby whenever refueling vehicles and equipment.
K. 
Tools and material shall be secured to prevent movement when transported in the same compartment with employees.
L. 
The safety tire rack or cage or equivalent protection shall be used when inflating tires installed on split rims or rims equipped with locking or similar devices.
M. 
Heavy machinery or equipment which is suspended by use of slings, hoists or jacks shall be substantially blocked or cribbed to prevent falling or shifting before employees are permitted to work under, between or otherwise near it.
N. 
Bulldozer and scraper blades, endloader buckets, dump bodies and similar equipment shall be either fully lowered or blocked when being repaired or when not in use. All controls shall be in the neutral position, with the motors stopped and brakes set, unless work being performed requires otherwise.
O. 
Whenever equipment is parked, the parking brake shall be set. Equipment parked on inclines shall have the wheels chocked and the parking brake set.
Cranes and other similar equipment with a boom shall not work closer to energized high-voltage lines where any part may come in physical contact as follows:
A. 
For lines rated 50 kilovolts or below, the minimum clearance between lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet.
B. 
For lines rated over 50 kilovolts, the minimum clearance between lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet, plus four-tenths (0.4) inch for each one kilovolt over 50 kilovolts, or twice the length of the line insulator, but never less than 10 feet.
Gasoline may only be transported in limited quantities in ventilated space in approved-type safety containers for use during certain work operations, i.e., for auxiliary engines, construction equipment, mowers, generators, pumps, etc.
A. 
Use jumper cables with caution; a spark created by the connection could ignite fumes from the battery or gasoline vapors.
B. 
Connect the positive terminals first. Connect the negative source last, but not to the battery terminal; rather, to the bumper or other ground location remote from the battery. Reverse the procedure when disconnecting cables.
A. 
When lifting heavy objects by hand, the lifting should be done with the legs, arms and shoulders, not with the back. Keep the back as nearly upright as possible.
B. 
Do not lift more than you can handle; get help.
A. 
Be on the alert for tin cans, broken bottles or other debris.
B. 
For protection against chigger bites, other insects, poison ivy, long-sleeved shirts and gloves should be worn and socks should be pulled up over pants cuffs.
C. 
Eyeshields shall be worn while cutting and loading brush.
Extension cords and cables that are laid to the floor or ground should be protected so that they will not be cut, smashed or damaged or create a tripping hazard.
A. 
In confined spaces where the means of exit is a manhole or other small opening, means should be provided, such as a life belt and lifeline, for quickly removing workers in an emergency. An attendant should be stationed outside the exit at all times while work is in progress.
B. 
For excavations, banks more than five feet high shall be shored or laid back to a stable slope, or some other equivalent means of protection shall be provided where employees may be exposed to moving grounds or cave-ins.
C. 
Shoring is required for trenches over four feet deep.
A. 
First-aid kits, fire extinguishers, etc., must not be removed or used elsewhere without the knowledge of or the approval of the immediate superior.
B. 
Motor vehicles, while being driven in or out of garages or storage buildings, shall be driven at a low rate of speed and shall stop at the doorway before entering or leaving.
C. 
Extreme care must be exercised to guard against loose clothing or hands being caught in moving machinery.
D. 
The wiping with rags of waste shall not be done on moving machinery.
E. 
Fingers shall not be used to check the alignment of holes when machinery or equipment is being installed.
F. 
Gasoline shall not be used for washing motors and parts.
G. 
Floor creepers shall be placed under the work bench or places in an upright position when not in use.
H. 
Dollies, wheelbarrows, rollers and hand trucks shall be stored with handles up when not in use to avoid tripping hazards.
I. 
Adequate ventilation shall be provided in areas to prevent the excessive accumulation of gases or vapors apt to cause flash fires or explosions.
J. 
Smoking is forbidden within 50 feet of any gasoline dispensing area. "No smoking" means that no lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe shall be in the mouth, held in hand or left in an ashtray or otherwise placed in a nearby resting place.
K. 
Ladders shall not be used during strong winds, except in emergencies, and then only when securely lashed and guarded at base by another workman.
L. 
Metal ladders are electrical conductors and shall not be used near electrical equipment or conductors.
M. 
Cylinders should be handled carefully so they are not dropped or jarred. Storage of cylinders should be in a well-ventilated room, and cylinders shall be securely lashed to a substantial stationary object to prevent tipping.
A. 
Keep work premises and equipment in neat and orderly condition for a cleaner, healthier and safer place to work.
B. 
Scrap paper, shavings, chips, garbage, rubbish, etc., shall be disposed of in suitable containers.
C. 
A separate receptacle shall be provided for broken glass.
D. 
Oily rags, waste and other flammable debris shall be disposed of in suitable fireproof containers and shall be kept covered when not in use.
E. 
Fluorescent tubes shall be disposed of intact. Extreme care must be exercised to prevent breakage as material contained inside can be dangerous.
F. 
Buckets, mops, brooms and similar objects shall not be left on stairways, in passageways or at doorways.
G. 
Clear passageways shall be maintained to electric switches, extinguishers, hydrants and exits.
H. 
Smoking is prohibited within 50 feet of where flammables with a low flash point are stored or used.
A. 
Bottom drawers in file cabinets shall carry the heaviest loads wherever possible.
B. 
Never open more than one file drawer at a time. The file unit may become top-heavy and fall forward. Filing cabinets should be properly secured so that they cannot tip forward.
C. 
Desk and file drawers, cabinet and bookcase doors shall be closed when not in use.
D. 
Aisles, halls and stairways shall be kept clear of objects that might cause employees to fall.
E. 
Electrical and telephone extension cords shall be kept free from general walkway areas or shall be adequately affixed to the floor or otherwise protected in such a manner so that they will not become a tripping hazard.
A. 
Most accidents are preventable. Be careful. The department head shall be provided with first-aid kits for applying proper first-aid measures. Serious infection can result from a neglected minor injury.
B. 
General instructions. In the event of a serious injury, the rescue squad shall be notified immediately.
(1) 
Be calm.
(2) 
If qualified, take command and give orders.
(3) 
Keep onlookers away from the victim.
(4) 
Locate the injury.
(5) 
Look for serious bleeding and immediately check it.
(6) 
Keep the victim lying down and care for shock.
(7) 
Prevent further infection; cover the wounds with a sterile compress or bandage.
(8) 
If the victim is not breathing, clear the breathing passage and start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
(9) 
Do not unnecessarily move a victim.
(10) 
Get help as soon as possible.