A.
Policy statement. Prevention of injury and illness
in the workplace requires the cooperation of all employees in all
safety and health matters. It is the policy of the Town to reduce
the number of workplace injuries and illnesses to an absolute minimum.
Accidents can be prevented through use of reasonable precautions and
the practice of safe working habits.
B.
Employee responsibility. In an effort to protect all
employees and to safeguard equipment and property, before an employee
begins a given task, the employee must fully understand the correct
operation and possible hazards involved, safety procedures and necessary
safety equipment required to perform the job.
C.
Safety program. The Town's safety program includes,
but is not limited to, the following:
(1)
Providing mechanical and physical safeguards to the
maximum extent possible.
(2)
Conducting inspections to find and eliminate unsafe
working conditions and practices, control health hazards and comply
with the safety and health standards for every job.
(3)
Training all employees in safety and health practices.
(4)
Providing necessary personal protective equipment
and instructions for its use and care.
(5)
Developing and enforcing safety and health rules and
requiring that employees cooperate with these rules as a condition
of employment.
(6)
Investigating, promptly and thoroughly, every accident
to find the cause and correct the problem to prevent future occurrences.
(7)
Providing first aid kits and fire extinguishers throughout
buildings and facilities.
D.
Accident plan. In the event of an accident, an employee
must immediately stop work and take the following steps:
E.
Accident reporting procedures. In the event that an
accident occurs in the workplace, the following procedures will apply:
(1)
When an accident occurs which results either in the
loss of an employee's work time or in the provision of medical care
to an employee, the employee's supervisor must complete an Employer's
Report of Injury Form (C-2). This form must be submitted to the Secretary
to the Supervisor within six workdays of the accident.
(2)
When an accident occurs which does not result in the
loss of an employee's work time, or in the provision of medical care
to the employee, the employee's supervisor must complete a Supervisor's
Report of Incident Form. This form must be submitted to the Secretary
to the Supervisor within six workdays of the accident.
(3)
The Secretary to the Supervisor must keep a log of
the injury or illness for five years following the end of the calendar
year to which it relates. A copy of this log, which includes totals
and information for the year, must be posted in each department or
areas where notices to employees are customarily posted.
A.
Statement of compliance. The Town of Esopus is committed
to providing a safe and healthy work environment and complies with
all federal, state and local laws regarding hazard recognition, accident
prevention and working conditions. The Town considers hazard communication
and the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses to be of prime
importance. This portion of the Town's comprehensive safety program
has been prepared to comply with the requirement of Title 29 of the
Code of Federal Regulations 1926.59. It is intended to ensure that
all information necessary for the safe use, handling and storage of
hazardous chemicals be made available to employees.
B.
Guidelines. The following guidelines for the identification
of chemical hazards and the preparation and proper use of containers,
labels, placards and other types of warning devices must be adhered
to:
(1)
Chemical inventory. The Town must maintain an inventory
of all known chemicals in use. An employee may obtain the chemical
inventory from the employee's department head.
(2)
Container labels. All chemicals on a work-site must
be stored in the original or approved containers with the proper label
attached. The department head must ensure that each container is labeled
with the identity of the hazardous chemical contained and any appropriate
hazard warnings. The Town will rely on manufacturer applied labels
whenever possible. A container not property labeled must be given
to the department head for labeling or proper disposal.
(3)
Dispensing chemicals. An employee may dispense chemicals
from original containers only in small quantities intended for immediate
use. Any chemical leftover must be returned to the original container
or to the employee's department head for proper handling. No unmarked
containers of any size are to be left in the work area unattended.
C.
Material safety data sheets (MSDS). An employee working
with a hazardous chemical may obtain a copy of the material safety
data sheet (MSDS) and a standard chemical reference from the employee's
department head.
D.
Employee training. An employee must be trained to
work safely with hazardous chemicals. This training program must cover
the following areas:
(1)
Methods used to detect the release of hazardous chemicals
in the workplace.
(2)
Physical and health hazards of chemicals and the measures
used to protect employees.
(3)
Safe work practices.
(4)
Emergency responses to the exposure of hazardous chemicals.
(5)
Proper use of personal protective equipment.
(6)
Hazard communication standards, including labeling
and warning systems, and an explanation of the use of material safety
data sheets.
E.
Personal protective equipment (PPE). Depending on
job duties, an employee must routinely wear protective devices, such
as gloves, as directed by the employee's department head. An employee
may obtain required personal protective equipment (PPE) from the employee's
department head. An employee who is required to wear special safety
equipment as directed by the department head must comply with the
department head's request. An employee who does not follow the department
head's instruction will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action
in accordance with the Civil Service Law (§ 75).
F.
Emergency response. Any incident of overexposure or
spill of a hazardous chemical/substance must immediately be reported
to the employee's department head. The department head must ensure
that proper emergency response actions are taken.
G.
Hazards of nonroutine tasks. The department head must
inform employees of any special tasks that may arise which would involve
possible exposure to hazardous chemicals. Review of safe work procedures
and use of required PPE must be conducted prior to the start of these
tasks. Where necessary, areas will be posted to indicate the nature
of the hazard involved.
