Safety

Safety

Safe working conditions are of primary importance for all County employees and the goal of all departments. It shall be the shared responsibility of the County and every employee to observe safe practices in all daily activities. The County of Orangeburg is sincerely interested in preventing incidents and promoting safety.

Supervisors

Commitment: "To promote a culture of safety in the workplace."

Mission: "To be a positive role model and safety advocate within each respective work unit."

Responsibilities: Supervisors shall:

1. Be knowledgeable of safety and health regulations, policies, procedures, and work practices.

2. Be knowledgeable of workplace safety and health hazards and hazard control procedures.

3. Ensure that employees receive required physicals and training before conducting work. The supervisor will provide job           instructions. No employee shall be expected to undertake any job until authorized to do so by the supervisor

4. Communicate safety and health information and instruction to employees.

5. Ensure that all vehicles, machines, tools, and personal protective equipment are properly maintained and that unsafe             items are immediately withdrawn from service for repair or replacement.

6. Perform walk-through safety inspections of the work unit

7. Conduct accidental and injury investigations to determine the root causes and appropriate correct actions in conjunction         with Risk Management Staff.

Employees

Commitment: "To be an active participant in issues of workplace safety and health."

Mission: "To work safely for ourselves, our families, friends, co-workers, and employer."

Responsibilities: Employees shall:

1. Be knowledgeable of safety and health regulations, policies, and procedures.

2. Be knowledgeable of workplace safety and health hazards and hazard control procedures and practices.

3. Perform assigned work in accordance with established policies, procedures, and safe work practices.

4. Identify and properly eliminate or control all potential hazards when performing assigned work.

5. Properly wear, inspect, and maintain assigned personal protective equipment.

6. Inspect tools and equipment for damage and defects before each use.

7. Report all injuries, occupational illnesses and accidents (including close calls) to the supervisor.

All employees should completely understand the following in order to have a good foundation in safety training:

1. Accidents/Incidents may occur, however, accident/incident prevention is required.

2. Safeguarding of equipment and of the workplace shall be done thoroughly

3. Each employee is expected to cooperate in keeping all work areas clean and free of hazards.

4. Each employee shall be expected to report any unsafe conditions encountered in the workplace to the supervisor and              correct unsafe conditions as promptly as possible.

5. If an injury does occur, regardless of degree or how insignificant, it shall be reported to the supervisor immediately and            the supervisor or their designee shall report it to Risk Management promptly.

Safety Compliance 

Workplace safety is a shared responsibility and requires team effort. All personnel shall be required to perform assigned work in accordance with established safety and health policies, procedures, and practices. Compliance with safety and health policies, procedures, and work practices shall be assessed. Serious and/or recurrent violations of established safety and health policies, procedures, and work practices shall result in disciplinary action up to and including termination."