13-1. Policy Statement
It is the policy of the Village of Royal Palm Beach that all work areas and working conditions be kept safe. Hazards shall be eliminated, and work-related injuries shall be prevented. Safety is the responsibility of all employees. Therefore, employees must take all necessary precautions to protect themselves and their co-workers from accidents or injuries. To this end, department management will make every reasonable effort to provide and maintain safe working conditions. Employees are required to always wear and use personal protective equipment provided by the Village.
13-2. General Rules
A Employees injured on the job must report the injury to their immediate supervisor or department head as soon as possible after the injury and no later than the end of the workday. The supervisor or department head shall complete a First Notice of Injury form, and a Village of Royal Palm Beach Accident/Incident Investigation form for such reports. Forms are available in the Human Resources Department or online. The completed report shall then be submitted to the Human Resources Department within 24 hours.
B An employee’s failure to report a work-related injury before the end of the work day may jeopardize a claim for Worker’s Compensation. The injured employee shall be authorized by the Human Resources Department to receive treatment through the Village’s managed care providers and physicians. Once reported, an employee’s refusal to obtain medical attention on the day of injury shall be documented by the department head.
C. Submitting false or fraudulent information when reporting an injury will be cause for dismissal and denial of medical and wage loss benefits.
D. Employees injured on the job and as a result seek medical attention must be required to submit to a post accident drug and or alcohol test. Upon investigation and consistent with the Village’s Drug Free Workplace Policy (Chapter 21) employees found under the influence of drugs or alcohol on the job will be subject to discipline up to and including discharge. Employees taking prescribed medication which affect their work performance should advise their supervisor prior to the start of the shift.
E. Employees shall report any unsafe conditions immediately to their supervisor.
F. Employees who are unsure about how to operate any equipment or vehicle in the performance of their duties shall request assistance immediately from their supervisor. Employees shall not operate any equipment without the proper authority and safety instruction, nor operate any equipment when guards or other safety devices are not in place.
G. Employees shall not repair or tamper with equipment that is not working properly, unless instructed to do so by their supervisor.
H. Employees furnished with safety equipment will be required to use such equipment.
I. Employees shall correctly lift objects by bending at the knees, and asking for assistance to lift heavy loads or objects.
J. Employees shall not use flammable liquids, toxic materials, chemicals or acids unless authorized and instructed in the proper procedures.
K. Employees shall not smoke in areas which are not specifically designated as smoking areas. See Section 13-7 (Smoking).
L. Employees shall wear seat belts in Village vehicles at all times.
M. Employees shall follow all safety and warning signs at all times.
13-3. Safety Committee
The Village Manager is responsible for implementing safety policies within the Village in accordance with the following guidelines:
A. The Village shall have one (1) safety oversight committee for the entire Village. Membership shall include four (4) members of management and two (2) employee representatives from each bargaining unit appointed by each bargaining unit.
B. The Committee will meet on a regular basis to review and report safety and health related issues, and to make recommendations to the Village Manager.
C. The Committee will also inspect all work areas periodically, and recommend changes and additions to current safety practices as well as safety devices and equipment when needed.
D. Safety suggestions from all Village employees are welcomed and encouraged.
13-4. Safety Regulations Relating to Working Apparel
A Where uniforms are provided by the Village for employees, they shall wear the total uniform, including the shirts, regardless of weather conditions.
B. Village provided safety shoes will be worn by all employees who receive them. Failure to do so will result in discipline up to and including discharge
C. Department heads and supervisors shall provide the necessary safety equipment for their employees to do their jobs safely. This may include but not be limited to the following items:
(1) hard hats - worn anytime there is overhead exposure;
(2) safety harness - worn in sewer and storm manholes, wet wells, catch basins, or large pipes;
(3) safety vests - worn when flagging traffic, and/or working in a traveled right-of-way;
(4) safety goggles/glasses - worn when grinding, chipping, using power/hand tools, and/or when requested by the supervisor;
(5) safety gloves - worn to protect from blood, chemicals, acids, caustics, petroleum-based oils, other hazardous materials;
(6) respirator/mask - worn to protect from air born particles, dust, toxics, fumes, mists, gases and vapors;
(7) back belts - worn for heavy lifting.
Department heads and supervisors shall determine when employees may be required to wear back belts according to work assignments and weight to be lifted.
D. Employees shall receive training to properly use safety equipment provided, including items listed above, to perform their duties. Employees shall not perform jobs nor wear any item until they receive such training.
E. Employees shall wear and use safety equipment supplied by the Village. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
F. Accidents caused by the failure to use available safety equipment, or resulting from carelessness or negligence may result in disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
13-5. Accident Investigations
The purpose of accident investigations is to identify the causes of the accident and develop remedies to prevent recurrence. Accidents will be investigated by department heads and supervisors according to the following the guidelines:
Preserve the scene, including key materials or elements involved in the accident until the investigation has been completed.
Conduct interviews of the injured, witnesses, or other involved parties.
Obtain specific descriptions and facts.
Photograph the area/equipment for future reference and documentation.
Analyze the collected data to determine how the accident could have been prevented
Determine what contributed to the accident.
Recommend steps for prevention.
Retain accident/investigation reports including information regarding repairs, expenses and evidence.
13-6. Property/Equipment Damage
Damaged or stolen Village property, equipment, and vehicles must be reported to the Village’s insurance company. Items provided by the Village to employees for use in the performance of their jobs shall be maintained in proper working condition. Employees shall report any items that become lost, stolen or damaged immediately to their supervisor for repair or replacement as determined by the supervisor or department head. Depending upon the circumstances, the department head shall provide all pertinent information with a completed Accident/Investigation Report to the Human Resources Department in order to process the appropriate data to the insurance company. A formal investigation will follow.
Vehicle Accident Reporting Procedures:
A. When an employee is involved in a collision while operating a Village or personal vehicle during business hours, he/she must call the Police Department to the scene for investigation.
B. The employee who is the driver of the vehicle involved in an accident will submit to a post accident drug test.
C. The supervisor of the employee must also investigate the collision by completing an Accident/Investigation Report and a Motor Vehicle Investigation Report within 24 hours. This must not interfere with the Police investigation. Report forms are available from the Human Resources Department. Report forms shall be kept in each Village owned or leased vehicle.
D. Any Village vehicle that has been involved in an accident must be sent to the Public Works Department for inspection and repairs, to ensure the proper working condition and operation of the vehicle.
Citizen/Public Accidents/Incidents
Accidents involving non-employees on Village property, equipment or vehicles must be reported to the Human Resources Department immediately. An Accident/Incident Investigation report form will be completed with the parties involved.
13-7. Smoking
The “Florida Clean Indoor Air Act” prohibits smoking in public facilities. It is the Village’s intent to assure compliance with this law to provide a safe and healthy place for employees to work. Accordingly, the Village shall prohibit smoking and the use of tobacco products in public buildings, facilities, vehicles, other public places, and during the use of Village owned equipment. This policy is to protect the public health, safety, comfort and environment.
Procedures:
A. Except for specially designated areas, smoking and use of tobacco products will be prohibited in all common areas of Village owned or operated buildings, facilities, offices, vehicles, and during the use of all Village equipment including but not limited to:
Village Hall
Parks and Recreation Department and Cultural Centers
Public Works Complex
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants
Fire Department
Police Department
Village employee take home vehicles
all trucks, gradalls, backhoes, tractors, cars, buses, vans, jeeps
pumps, storage and feeding equipment
electric and gas powered tools (weedeaters, drills, etc.)
B. Employees will not smoke or use tobacco products while in direct contact with or in view of the public, and while performing official duties. Employees will refrain from smoking when a non-smoker is present.
C. Smoking or use of tobacco products will be permitted when in uniform on employees’ own time.
D. Smoking is strictly prohibited while operating all Village vehicles and equipment.
E. Department heads and supervisors are responsible to ensure compliance with this policy. Complaints of violation should be directed to the department head responsible for the particular work area or facility involved in the complaint. The department head will notify the violator. Non-compliance after notification may result in penalties provided by Florida Law, as well as in disciplinary action.
13-8. Cellular Phone Distractions
The use of personal cellular phones should only occur during break or lunch time and should never be used while operating a village vehicle or equipment while in motion. Village of Royal Palm Beach issued Cellular Phones may only be used for village business and should not be utilized while operating a village vehicle or equipment, unless authorized to do so.
13-9. Weapons Control
The Village of Royal Palm Beach prohibits all employees from bringing or having a weapon of any kind on Village property. Where state law differs from this policy, the Village will enforce this ban on weapons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable state laws. The only exceptions to this policy are law enforcement officers on official business or security guards hired by the Village.
“Weapons” include any form of gun, inappropriate knife, explosive device, dangerous or deadly item or substance or other instrument restricted under local, state, or federal law. If you have a question about whether an item is considered a weapon, ask your supervisor or human resource department.
13-10. Driving Records
A. All positions which require driving a Village vehicle require the employee’s license to be checked annually to be sure it is valid and within the guidelines of what is considered by the Village to be a safe driver.
B. Employees are responsible to report a reckless driving citation, and or moving violations that result in more than six (6) points on their license the next scheduled work shift. Employees cited with a DWI or DUI driving citation, or have their license suspended or revoked are required to inform the Village within 24 hours after the citation, suspension or revocation has been issued. The Village retains the right to suspend or terminate employees who receive DWI/DUI citations, or license suspensions or revocations. Failure to report any of the above citations may lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
C. Applicants applying for a position that requires driving a Village vehicle will have to meet the minimum job qualifications as well as the safe driver requirements. Applicants who have a DUI or DWI within the last 5 years may be rejected.
D. The Village has determined that the standard for a safe driver will be the following criteria:
No more than two (2) moving violations within the last 12 month period.
No more than 6 violation points on your license within the last 24 months.
E. Applicants not meeting the above criteria will not be eligible for a position, and must wait until their license is cleared of violations or take a driving school which will eliminate some of the points. After such time, the applicant may reapply for the position if it still remains open.
F. Employees found to be in violation of the above criteria will be temporarily taken off driving duty, and must take on their own time and expense a driving school for the purpose of reducing points and or violations. If an employee is unable to maintain a valid driver’s license the employee may be terminated from their position.
G. Employees required to have a CDL must abide by all the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Department of Motor Vehicle rules and regulations governing CDL licensing.
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