Facility Safety Concerns PDF

Unit 6 Facility Safety Concerns Lesson 1 Identifying and Resolving Safety Concerns Lesson Goal You will be able to correct facility safety deficiencies based on organizational safety stan- dards for emergency preparedness and response. Think About This Safety is one of the most important el...

Unit 6 Facility Safety Concerns Lesson 1 Identifying and Resolving Safety Concerns Lesson Goal You will be able to correct facility safety deficiencies based on organizational safety stan- dards for emergency preparedness and response. Think About This Safety is one of the most important elements of your job. Maintaining a safe work environment will help ensure that you go home at the end of the day. It will keep visitors to your facility safe, as well as the inmates you supervise. Following your facility safety standards is not only an important part of your job duties, but a responsibility that you should take seriously for your own safety. Safety Standards The safety standards each agency observes will depend on accreditation guidelines from organiza- tions that oversee those standards. ✅ CO461.1. Know the organizations that may govern a facility’s safety standards These organizations include: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC) American Correctional Association (ACA) Florida Model Jail Standards (FMJS) National Detention Standards (NDS) Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) also outlines standards for the Department of Corrections as well as the Department of Health, and other governmental agencies within the state. ✅ CO461.2. Know the facility safety standards for emergency preparedness and response Correctional officers are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for staff, visitors, and inmates. You can prepare for emergencies by communicating instructions to inmates to help main- tain good behavior during an emergency; applying knowledge of basic facility rules, regulations, and 128 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 standards for operation; and following your facility’s emergency or contingency plans. Your chain of command will brief you on the safety standards for emergency preparedness for your facility. You will learn more about preparing for facility emergencies in Chapter 8. Be aware of hazards that influence safety. All areas of the facility are safety concerns; these include grounds, dining halls, recreation areas, housing areas, work crews, medical areas, visitation areas, the control center, officer stations, sally ports, and the chapel. Some safety standards and guide- lines are uniform throughout each agency, and other standards may depend on the accrediting association of which the agency is a member. Safety standards reflect the mission of the facility, and can address equipment management, such as chemical labeling and equipment storage procedures. Operational safety standards for facili- ties include guidelines for inmate classification, lighting, space, temperature, air control, dietary concerns, and the ratio of inmates to staff. ✅ CO461.3. Know the possible hazards that can cause facility safety deficiencies Potential hazards that could cause unsafe conditions include: exits that are covered and not accessible exit lights that are not operable or visible cluttered walkways water fountains leaking or overflowing inadequate number of fire extinguishers inmates smoking frayed electrical cords inadequate electrical grounding loose items on floors improper use of tools and equipment failure to wear safety equipment spills on floor surfaces unattended cooking pots or scattered cooking utensils grease buildups in hood systems and around cooking surfaces disorderly conduct in dining areas improperly maintained fire extinguishing equipment Chapter 4 Facility and Equipment / 129 Correcting Safety Deficiencies ✅ CO461.4. Understand your responsibilities for correcting facility safety deficiencies Resolve safety concerns immediately. These concerns include dealing with inmate housing and maintaining proper visual and audio surveillance. Apply reasonable judgment when enforcing poli- cies and addressing concerns. Factors that influence safety can involve deficiencies in equipment or the facility’s structure. Equip- ment such as fire alarms, emergency lights, fire extinguishers, self-contained breathing appara- tus (SCBA), automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), handrails, and improperly stored equipment pose a safety concern when they are deficient. An inspection may require that you touch or visu- ally inspect an item, compare components with manuals, compare the item’s normal functioning to its current status, look for the expiration date, and determine that the item is functional. Other factors that can influence safety in the facility include structural deficiencies related to poor condi- tions, or facility layout or design that poses a potential for disruptions of normal facility operations. When you find a dangerous item, you must notify your supervisor immediately and follow the supervisor’s directions to resolve the safety concern. After a deficiency is identified and addressed, a follow-up inspection will be conducted. In other cases, more formal action may be needed, where trained personnel will be called in to resolve the deficiency. 130 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1