[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Charles County 4-3-1979 by Res. No. 79-23. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
County Commissioners — See Ch. 27.
Department of Facilities — See Ch. 97.
Roads and bridges — See Ch. 104.
Sheriff — See Ch. 125.
Liability indemnification — See Ch. 185.
Personnel regulations — See Ch. 197.
School crossing guards — See Ch. 208.
Sheriff's office — See Ch. 210.
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.