Illness and Injury Prevention
1059.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish an ongoing and effective plan to reduce the incidence of illness and injury for members of the University of California Santa Cruz Police Department, in accordance with the requirements of 8 CCR § 3203.
This policy specifically applies to illness and injury that results in lost time or that requires medical treatment beyond first aid. Although this policy provides the essential guidelines for a plan that reduces illness and injury, it may be supplemented by procedures outside the Policy Manual.
This policy does not supersede, but supplements any related University of Californiawide safety efforts.
1059.2 POLICY
The University of California Santa Cruz Police Department is committed to providing a safe environment for its members and visitors and to minimizing the incidence of work-related illness and injuries. The Department will establish and maintain an Illness and Injury Prevention program and will provide tools, training and safeguards designed to reduce the potential for accidents, illness and injuries. It is the intent of the Department to comply with all laws and regulations related to occupational safety.
1059.3 ILLNESS AND INJURY PREVENTION PLAN
The Administration Division Commander is responsible for developing an illness and injury prevention plan that shall include:
(a) Workplace safety and health training programs.
(b) Regularly scheduled safety meetings.
(c) Posted or distributed safety information.
(d) A system for members to anonymously inform management about workplace
(f) Establishment of a safety and health committee that will:
- Meet regularly.
- Prepare a written record of safety and health committee meetings.
- Review the results of periodic scheduled inspections.
- Review investigations of accidents and exposures.
- Make suggestions to command staff for the prevention of future incidents.
- Review investigations of alleged hazardous conditions.
- Submit recommendations to assist in the evaluation of member safety suggestions.
- Assess the effectiveness of efforts made by the Department to meet relevant standards.
(g) Establishment of a process to ensure serious illnesses or injuries and death are reported as required by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) (8 CCR § 342).
1059.4 ADMINISTRATION DIVISION COMMANDER RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of the AdministrationDivision Commander include, but are not limited to:
(a) Managing and implementing a plan to reduce the incidence of member illness and injury.
(b) Ensuring that a system of communication is in place that facilitates a continuous flow of safety and health information between supervisors and This system shall include:
- New member orientation that includes a discussion of safety and health policies and procedures.
- Regular member review of the illness and injury prevention plan.
(c) Ensuring that all safety and health policies and procedures are clearly communicated and understood by all members.
(d) Taking reasonable steps to ensure that all members comply with safety rules in order to maintain a safe work environment. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Informing members of the illness and injury prevention guidelines.
- Recognizing members who perform safe work practices.
- Ensuring that the member evaluation process includes member safety performance.
- Ensuring department compliance to meet standards regarding the following:
- (a) Respiratory protection (8 CCR § 5144)
- (b) Bloodborne pathogens (8 CCR § 5193)
- (c) Aerosol transmissible diseases (8 CCR § 5199)
- (d) Heat illness (8 CCR § 3395)
- (e) Emergency Action Plan (8 CCR § 3220)
- (f) Fire Prevention Plan (8 CCR § 3221)
(e) Making available the Identified Hazards and Correction Record form to document inspections, unsafe conditions or work practices, and actions taken to correct unsafe conditions and work practices.
(f) Making available the Investigation/Corrective Action Report to document individual incidents or accidents.
(g) Making available a form to document the safety and health training of each member. This form will include the member’s name or other identifier, training dates, type of training and training providers.
(h) Conducting and documenting a regular review of the illness and injury prevention
1059.5 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisor responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
(a) Ensuring member compliance with illness and injury prevention guidelines and answering questions from members about this policy.
(b) Training, counseling, instructing or making informal verbal admonishments any time safety performance is deficient. Supervisors may also initiate discipline when it is reasonable and appropriate under the Standards of Conduct Policy.
(c) Establishing and maintaining communication with members on health and safety issues. This is essential for an injury-free, productive workplace.
(d) Completing required forms and reports relating to illness and injury prevention; such forms and reports shall be submitted to the Administration Division Commander.
(e) Notifying the Administration Division Commander when:
- New substances, processes, procedures or equipment that present potential new hazards are introduced into the work environment.
- New, previously unidentified hazards are recognized.
- Occupational illnesses and injuries occur.
- New and/or permanent or intermittent members are hired or reassigned to processes, operations or tasks for which a hazard evaluation has not been previously conducted.
- Workplace conditions warrant an inspection.
1059.6 HAZARDS
All members should report and/or take reasonable steps to correct unsafe or unhealthy work conditions, practices or procedures in a timely manner. Members should make their reports to a supervisor (as a general rule, their own supervisors).
Supervisors should make reasonable efforts to correct unsafe or unhealthy work conditions in a timely manner, based on the severity of the hazard. These hazards should be corrected when observed or discovered, when it is reasonable to do so. When a hazard exists that cannot be immediately abated without endangering members or property, supervisors should protect or remove all exposed members from the area or item, except those necessary to correct the existing condition.
Members who are necessary to correct the hazardous condition shall be provided with the necessary protection.
All significant actions taken and dates they are completed shall be documented on an Identified Hazards and Correction Record form. This form should be forwarded to the Administration Division Commander via the chain of command.
The Administration Division Commander will take appropriate action to ensure the illness and injury prevention plan addresses potential hazards upon such notification.
1059.7 INSPECTIONS
Safety inspections are crucial to a safe work environment. These inspections identify and evaluate workplace hazards and permit mitigation of those hazards. A hazard assessment checklist should be used for documentation and to ensure a thorough assessment of the work environment.
The Administration Division Commander shall ensure that the appropriate documentation is completed for each inspection.
1059.7.1 EQUIPMENT
Members are charged with daily vehicle inspections of their assigned vehicles and of their personal protective equipment (PPE) prior to working in the field. Members shall complete the Identified Hazards and Correction Record form if an unsafe condition cannot be immediately corrected. Members should forward this form to their supervisors.
1059.8 INVESTIGATIONS
Any member sustaining any work-related illness or injury, as well as any member who is involved in any accident or hazardous substance exposure while on-duty shall report such event as soon as practicable to a supervisor. Members observing or learning of a potentially hazardous condition are to promptly report the condition to their immediate supervisors.
A supervisor receiving such a report should personally investigate the incident or ensure that an investigation is conducted. Investigative procedures for workplace accidents and hazardous substance exposures should include:
(a) A visit to the accident scene as soon as possible.
(b) An interview of the injured member and witnesses.
(c) An examination of the workplace for factors associated with the accident/exposure.
(d) Determination of the cause of the accident/exposure.
(e) Corrective action to prevent the accident/exposure from reoccurring.
(f) Documentation of the findings and corrective actions taken.
(g) Completion of an Investigation/Corrective Action Report form.
(h) Completion of an Identified Hazards and Correction Record form.
Additionally, the supervisor should proceed with the steps to report an on-duty injury, as required under the Occupational Disease and Work-Related Injury Reporting Policy, in conjunction with this investigation to avoid duplication and ensure timely reporting.
1059.9 TRAINING
The Administration Division Commander should work with the Training Sergeant to provide all members, including supervisors, with training on general and job-specific workplace safety and health practices. Training shall be provided:
(a) To supervisors to familiarize them with the safety and health hazards to which members under their immediate direction and control may be exposed.
(b) To all members with respect to hazards specific to each member’s job assignment.
(c) To all members given new job assignments for which training has not previously been provided.
(d) Whenever new substances, processes, procedures or equipment are introduced to the workplace and represent a new hazard.
(e) Whenever the Department is made aware of a new or previously unrecognized
1059.9.1 TRAINING TOPICS
The Training Sergeant shall ensure that training includes:
(a) Reporting unsafe conditions, work practices and injuries, and informing a supervisor when additional instruction is needed.
(b) Use of appropriate clothing, including gloves and footwear.
(c) Use of respiratory equipment.
(d) Availability of toilet, hand-washing and drinking-water facilities.
(e) Provisions for medical services and first aid.
(f) Handling of bloodborne pathogens and other biological hazards.
(g) Prevention of heat and cold stress.
(h) Identification and handling of hazardous materials, including chemical hazards to which members could be exposed, and review of resources for identifying and mitigating hazards (e.g., hazard labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDS)).
(i) Mitigation of physical hazards, such as heat and cold stress, noise, and ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
(j) Identification and mitigation of ergonomic hazards, including working on ladders or in a stooped posture for prolonged periods.
(k) Back exercises/stretches and proper lifting techniques.
(l) Avoidance of slips and falls.
(m) Good housekeeping and fire prevention.
(n) Other job-specific safety concerns.
1059.10 RECORDS
Records and training documentation relating to illness and injury prevention will be maintained in accordance with the established records retention schedule.
