Note: For provision on the safety board, see chapter 2.36 of this code.
The purposes of this chapter are to establish a safety program in the offices, departments and agencies of the county and to assign responsibility for implementation of the safety program. The safety program and responsibilities are established pursuant to the California Occupational Safety and Health Act (Labor Code, Section 6300 et seq.) For the purpose of this chapter, the word employees shall include officers, employees and volunteers.
(Prior code §2-272; Ord. CS 1112 §9, 2011)
The following duties and responsibilities apply to county employees, employee supervisors, volunteers, and department heads:
A. 
It shall be the duty of all county employees who are personally involved in any on the job accident to immediately report that accident and all the details surrounding that accident, in writing, to their immediate supervisor, on forms authorized by the chief executive office risk management division. If the employee is incapacitated because of injury due to the accident, the employee's supervisor shall immediately prepare the accident report on the employee's behalf.
B. 
It shall be the duty of all county supervisors to perform an investigation of all accidents reported from their subordinate employees by ascertaining the facts surrounding the accident, investigating the cause or causes of the accident and reporting such information, on forms authorized by the chief executive office risk management division, for department head review.
C. 
It shall be the duty of all county supervisors to ensure that all accidents or illnesses concerning employees in their respective departments are promptly reported to the chief executive office risk management division within twenty-four hours after occurrence of an accident or illness. In case of serious injury or death of an employee on the job, the safety officer in the chief executive office risk management division shall be notified as soon as practicable by the first responder, person charge of scene or department representative.
D. 
It shall be the duty of all department heads to ensure a safe working place and a healthful environment within the jurisdiction of their respective departments, and shall:
1. 
Require the departments' supervisory personnel to make periodic safety inspections in and about their work areas and immediately correct any unsafe conditions found to exist;
2. 
Ensure that all tasks performed and those methods used in operating and handling tools and equipment within the department are done in the safest way possible;
3. 
Identify jobs and tasks performed within the department which require personal protective equipment or other safety devices, and ensure that such equipment or devices are purchased and used by employees. The entire cost of such equipment or device is a charge against the county, except in the categories of safety footwear and safety prescription lenses, in which case the county shall reimburse the employee only for the safety features added at rates set by board of supervisors' resolution and based on review and recommendation of the safety board; and
4. 
Attend, and require department personnel and volunteers to attend, safety oriented training conducted by the safety committees or chief executive office risk management division to allow the personnel or volunteer to safely perform their work assignments.
(Prior code §2-276; Ord. CS 576 §1, 1994; Ord. CS 606 §1, 1995; Ord. CS 943 §3, 2005; Ord. CS 1112 §10, 2011)
Department heads shall appoint a department representative as a member of the safety committee for that department. Each safety committee shall have a minimum of four members, at least half of which shall be non-supervisory employees.
(Prior code §2-274; Ord. CS 576 §2, 1994; Ord. CS 1112 §11, 2011)
Duties of a safety committee shall be as follows:
A. 
To meet at least quarterly;
B. 
To receive and discuss reports of all occupational and vehicular accidents occurring within its own area of jurisdiction and to determine, through investigation if required, ways to prevent similar accidents from reoccurring;
C. 
Each committee member shall bring to the attention of the safety committee any unsafe conditions and/or work procedures existing within the member's own work area and any other unsafe conditions of which the member is aware. The committee shall then make recommendations to the affected department head(s) to correct any unsafe condition or work procedure;
D. 
To keep written records of meetings;
E. 
To review and recommend to affected department head(s) changes, additions and deletions to department safety rules and regulations;
F. 
To request the safety board to consider any matter outside the jurisdiction or above the authority of the safety committees.
(Prior code §2-274; Ord. CS 576 §3, 1994; Ord. CS 1112 §12, 2011)
The safety officer in the chief executive office risk management division shall monitor the day to day activities of the county safety program, may act as secretary to the safety board, and act as advisor to and attend meetings of area safety committees. The safety officer shall also:
A. 
Coordinate safety training, safety contests and incentive awards programs;
B. 
Attend such meetings and conferences of safety organizations and safety councils as may be helpful in furthering the county safety program and keep the safety board informed about current safety trends and recommendations, and monitoring changes in safety laws and regulations;
C. 
Act as the county representative designated to accompany any safety compliance officer from the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration on an official inspection of the county work areas. The risk manager shall appoint alternate representative(s) who shall assume this function in the absence of the safety officer;
D. 
Recommend and monitor the purchase, use and care of personal protective equipment and other safety devices used by county employees.
(Prior code §2-275; Ord. CS 576 §4, 1994; Ord. CS 1112 §13, 2011)
All mechanical, electrical and motorized equipment, and other safety equipment, purchased by the county shall meet the minimum safety standards set forth in the California Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations promulgated by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
(Prior code §2-277; Ord. CS 1112 §14, 2011)
The risk manager shall review and implement proper, efficient and reasonable accident reporting procedures, and report forms which comply with the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973.
(Ord. CS 1112 §15, 2011)