Riverside Fire Authority Accident/Incident Prevention Program PDF

RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY 12.01.03 ACCIDENT/INCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAM 1.0 REFERENCE WAC 296-305-01505 2.0 POLICY 2.1 It is the policy of the RFA to provide its employees with a safe and healthful work environment. The policies and guidelines in this Accident Preve...

RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY 12.01.03 ACCIDENT/INCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAM 1.0 REFERENCE WAC 296-305-01505 2.0 POLICY 2.1 It is the policy of the RFA to provide its employees with a safe and healthful work environment. The policies and guidelines in this Accident Prevention Program are designed to reduce or prevent employee occupational injuries or death. 2.2 The RFA shall establish the position of Health and Safety Officer. 2.3 The Health and Safety Officer will be responsible ensuring that members/employees are trained, knowledgeable of, comply with, and follow the Accident Prevention/Health and Safety program: 2.3.1 How and when to report injuries, including instruction as to the location of first-aid facilities.. 2.3.2 How to report unsafe conditions and practices. 2.3.3 The use, care, selection and maintenance of required personal protective equipment. 2.3.4 The proper actions to take in event of emergencies in the fire station including the routes of exiting from areas. 2.3.5 Describe the RFA Accident/Incident Prevention/Health and Safety program 2.4 Inspections of fire stations shall be made at least monthly and records maintained to ensure that stations are reasonably free of recognized hazards. These inspections shall include, but not be limited to, tools, apparatus, extinguishers, protective equipment, and life Health and Safety equipment. 3.0 DEFINITIONS 4.0 RESPONSIBILITY 4.1 The RFA Health and Safety Officer has complete responsibility for the administration of the department's Accident/Incident Prevention and Health/Safety Programs. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY 4.2 The RFA Health and Safety Officer, through the fire chief, shall have the authority and responsibility to identify and recommend correction of Health and Safety hazards and act on all matters relating to the operation and administration of the Accident Prevention Program. 5.0 GUIDELINES 5.1 The Total Health and Safety Program for The RFA is composed of the following areas: 5.1.1 General Health & Health and Safety Program Injury and illness reports for members/employees Accident/Incident investigation Accident/Incident prevention program Fire department Health and Safety officer Management's responsibility Employee's responsibility Safe place standards First-aid training and certification First-aid kits 5.1.2 Personal Protective Equipment & Clothing Personal protective equipment and protective clothing Eye and face protection Hearing protection Hand protection Body protection Body armor Foot protection for structural fire fighting Head protection Personal alert Health and Safety system (PASS) protection Life Health and Safety ropes, harnesses, and hardware protection 5.1.3 Emergency Medical Protection Emergency medical protection Infectious Disease Control - Liquid Borne Pathogens Airborne Infectious Disease Control Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY 5.1.4 Hazardous Chemical Protection Hazardous materials protection 5.1.5 Respiratory equipment Respiratory equipment protection 5.1.6 Automotive fire apparatus Automotive fire apparatus design and construction Automotive fire apparatus equipment Automotive apparatus operational rules Fire apparatus maintenance and repair Aerial ladders Elevated platforms 5.1.7 Emergency Operations Emergency fire ground operations-structural Confined space rescue operations Rope rescue operations Trench rescue operations Watercraft rescue operations Hazardous materials operations Aircraft rescue and fire fighting 5.1.8 Training Fire training General training requirements 5.1.9 Fire Service Equipment Fire service equipment Testing fire service equipment Ground ladders Electrical Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY 5.1.10 Facilities Requirements for fire station facilities General requirements Sanitation, disinfection, cleaning and storage areas Sleeping areas Apparatus areas Indoor air quality Refueling areas Hose drying towers Drill tower training facilities Fire station equipment and tools 5.1.11 Wildland Fire Fighting Wildland fire operations Personal protective clothing and equipment for wildland fire fighting Respiratory protection for fire fighters Wildland personnel accountability Apparatus standards for wildland fire fighting Occupant restraints and enclosures for Wildland fire fighting Equipment for wildland fire fighting Aircraft operations for fighting wildland fires First-aid for Wildland fire fighters Training for wildland fire fighting 6.0 ADDITIONAL REFERENCES N/A 7.0 APPENDIX Incident prevention and safety program Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY Riverside Fire Authority Incident Prevention and Safety Program A. Goal The primary purpose of this program is to develop a high standard of safety throughout all operations of the Riverside Fire Authority and to insure that none of our members are required to work under any conditions, which are unsafe. We believe that the individual member has the right to derive personal satisfaction from their position within the Authority and the prevention of occupational injury or illness is of such consequence to this belief that it will be given consideration at all times. It is our intention at the Riverside Fire Authority to initiate and maintain a comprehensive incident prevention and safety training program. Each member from the Fire Chief to the recruit emergency responder is responsible for the safety and health of those members in their charge and other members near them. By accepting mutual responsibility to operate safely, we will all contribute to the well being of all members. B. Safety Committee Purpose of the Safety Committee: The function of the Safety Committee is to create and maintain interest in loss prevention and to help open and maintain communication between management and the emergency responders and other workers. The Committee will meet at least quarterly and review any incident reports from the previous quarter. Members from the Safety Committee will make safety inspections of equipment and facilities every quarter. Minutes of each meeting will posted on bulletin boards and then retained in the Safety Committee files. Safety Committee Goals: Enhance Safety Awareness among members. Define problems and obstacles to loss prevention. Identify hazards and suggest actions to eliminate them. Develop and update incident investigation procedures. Serve as an advisory panel to management for loss prevention. Once these goals are understood, management along with the safety committee should set specific objectives for each goal as part of an ongoing work plan. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY Responsibility and Authority: Clearly defining the safety committee’s responsibility and authority is crucial to its effectiveness. The safety committee does not make Authority Policy, but it is responsible for recommendations to management, which addresses member safety and health issues. Management should consider each recommendation and promptly let the safety committee know what action it will take, why and when. Safety Committee Membership: The Safety Committee will consist of management representatives, represented employees and volunteer personnel. They should have a good understanding of the Authorities overall operations. The emergency responder committee members should have an interest in the general welfare of the Authority and its membership. Management representatives on the committee should have the authority to make decisions regarding unsafe practices and hazards identified by committee members. Incident Investigation: A major purpose of an incident or near miss investigation is to find root cause and to prevent recurrence of the incidents. Therefore, the safety committee not only seeks to identify and eliminate the major causes, but also other contributing factors. The main thrust of the investigation is to make recommendations to management that will prevent future occurrences. Management Support and Follow-up: Support from management is critical to the effectiveness of a safety committee. However, it may not be feasible for management to implement all recommendations. That is why it is important for management to communicate in writing its decisions and the reasons for them. C. Safety Officer The Safety Officer is an appointed position by the Fire Chief with the acknowledgement of the Fire Commissioners and is supported by a group of other members who have been through the Incident Safety Officer Program. These individuals are responsible for monitoring and correcting safety issues for all members and the Public while at Emergency Calls or Drills. D. Drills Drills are developed and designed to demonstrate the safest and correct way to perform certain tasks. After classroom instruction is given then hands on training is given to allow members to actually do the tasks safely and correctly. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY E. Incident Reporting Procedures Authority members shall report injuries as soon as possible to the Officer in Charge. Members shall not go to a physician or other medical practitioner for treatment of any on-the-job injury without authorization from the Chief or his designee – except under emergency conditions. Injuries or possible injuries not reported immediately will result in any subsequent claim being questioned, thus jeopardizing rights to compensation. Failure to report an injury or illness may result in disciplinary action in accordance with policy and labor contracts. F. Written Instruction to new members This Policy Manual will be reviewed with each new member during the recruit academy or other authorized training program and full understanding of this manual will require a signature from the member upon completion of the required training program. G. Company Officers Responsibility The establishment of this program charges each Company Officer, with the responsibility of ambitiously promoting safe working practices and the effective control of incidents within their work group. Company Officers should make the safety of all members a part of their daily routine and as a basic responsibility of the job they shall— Instruct each member in your charge on the hazards that may arise relative to that member’s assigned task and how to avoid such hazards. Take steps to maintain safe working conditions within your work area: remain alert to detect unsafe conditions, work habits, or practices Take prompt action to correct unsafe work conditions, work habits, or practices and to reduce possible safety hazards. Investigate to determine the cause of all injuries requiring medical attention. Corrective action shall be taken to prevent re-occurrence. The written report shall be forwarded to the Health and Safety Officer for review. Incomplete reports may be returned to the Company Officer for completion. Review with each member involved, the cause of the incident and the corrective action to be taken in order to reduce the possibility of re-occurrence. Follow-up of every incident in which an injury results to see that medical attention is given, either first aid or doctor or hospital whichever is indicated. The Chief or his designee will be properly notified whenever an injury occurs. Encourage all members under the Officers charge to report to him/her all unsafe acts or working conditions, also, to solicit their ideas for improved safety. All reasonable reports or ideas with merit shall be given his/her attention. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY H. Firefighter/Emergency Responders Responsibility Unsafe practices on the part of one member may adversely affect the well being of another. Each member has an important function in the incident prevention program. It shall be the responsibility of each member to— a. Carry out each task utilizing reasonable precautions to protect themselves and others from injury. b. Follow all directions and safety instructions given to them by the officer in charge. c. Remain vigilant to observe and forecast safety concerns and report them to the office in charge. d. Participate fully in near miss and incident investigations. e. If given and order or assignment in your opinion that is unsafe report the concern/occurrence promptly to the officer in charge. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY Riverside Fire Authority Member Package Introduction The prevention of incidents and protection of members, property and the general public is of major importance in the performance of our work. We make reasonable efforts to provide a safe and healthful environment for our members and the public, and to control to the extent possible recognizable un-foreseen hazards as they arise. As a member of the Riverside Fire Authority you will be required to follow safe work practices and procedures through our policies and operating guidelines and take an active role in protecting yourself, your fellow members and the general public. You are further required to participate in safety briefings at emergencies as well as drills and to notify the Officer in Charge of any unsafe conditions that exist or that you think may exist. With your cooperation, the task that you have been assigned to complete will be a safe one. Our experience has proven that a safe assignment is an efficient assignment. We want you to enjoy your work and to share in the pride of being a member of the Riverside Fire Authority. Your responsibility It is your responsibility to observe all safety rules established and mandated for your protection and guidance, abide by all laws and regulations, use safety equipment and devices provided or required and to perform your tasks in a manner which safeguards you and your fellow workers. In the event of an injury it is your responsibility to promptly obtain first aid and to report the injury to the Officer in Charge. In order to carry out your assigned tasks safely and efficiently you need to be rested, alert and aware of what is going on around you, being particularly watchful for recognizable hazards. You must know the correct and safe procedures for the task you have been assigned and if you don’t know then let the Officer in Charge know so that a replacement to perform that task can be assigned. By obeying the Safe Work Rules contained in this material, as well as any other special instructions received and by using your own common sense and good judgment, you will be doing your part in sharing with us this important job task responsibility. A lack of safety know how or an indifference to safety could result in an injury to yourself or/and others or could result in damage to equipment. “Remember” Incidents typically Don’t Just Happen – They Are Caused. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY Safe Work Rules General – All Tasks Report to the duty or Authority activities in good physical and alert mental condition. Wear the appropriate PPE and other safety equipment as needed to perform your assigned task. The use of intoxicating beverages or unauthorized mind altering drugs while participating at the scene of an emergency, drill or any other Authority related function is prohibited. Obey all special driving rules and instructions, caution or warning signs and traffic laws. Understand the task you are assigned and make certain you are fully able to carry the task out safely and efficiently. Look for hazards, unsafe conditions or practices and report them promptly to the Officer in Charge unless you can correct the condition safely yourself and then report it to the Officer in Charge. Learn and follow the safety procedures and operating guidelines for each task within the Authority. If you don’t know or understand the procedures for carrying out a specific task ask the Officer in Charge. Use the Safety Equipment and Devices provided for your protection. Only operate equipment or machinery that you have been trained and signed off to operate. Don’t enter any confined space such as a manhole, underground vault, tanks, pipes, mixer drums, ditches greater than 4 feet deep, etc. unless you have been properly trained to do so. Don’t work with hazardous materials or enter an area that is known to have hazardous materials open to the air unless you have been trained to do so and that all necessary PPE is in place. Don’t perform a water rescue unless in calm water at the bank, and with all required PPE in place, unless you have been properly trained for more advanced practices. Don’t perform high or medium angle rope rescues unless you have been trained to do so and then with all required PPE is in place. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY When lifting heavy objects, lift with leg muscles not with the smaller muscles of the back. If the object is too heavy to be safely moved by one person then get help. Do your part to keep work areas free of tripping and stumbling hazards. Know where equipment is located on the apparatus that you are assigned to. Report incidents promptly to the Officer in Charge. The disregard of safe work practices, the use of PPE or any of the above mentioned rules may result in disciplinary action as defined in Authority policies. Personal Protective Equipment Full turn out gear is to be worn at vehicle collisions, fires, drills, or any other place as required by the Officer in Charge. Safety vests shall be worn as described in the work zone safety policy #303. At a minimum latex gloves and protective eye wear shall be worn anytime patient contact is made and further PPE may be required depending on the severity of the injury or illness of the patient. Wildfire gear shall be worn when fighting grass and brush fires when available. Eye and face protection will be provided and worn whenever tasks present eye or facial injury hazards. Use proper respiratory equipment whenever there is exposure to harmful dusts, fumes, vapors, or gasses. Wear hearing protection such as plugs or muffs when exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 decibels. In general, if you need to shout in order to converse with a person close by, you should find out if hearing protection is required. Ask the Officer in Charge. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY Vehicles and Equipment If you operate an Authority vehicle/apparatus you should complete a quick walk around inspection before you set in motion. If there are problems found that would make the vehicle/apparatus unsafe to operate then don’t operate it and make sure that you call the Officer in Charge promptly so repairs can be made as quickly as possible. Do not try to correct the problem yourself unless you have been trained to do so. Before starting vehicle/apparatus or equipment and putting it into motion or use, make certain there will be no danger to others or property. The use of seat belts is required when operating or riding in Authority vehicles/apparatus. If you operate vehicle/apparatus or equipment, you are responsible for its safe operation. You must have knowledge and training of the safety risks associated with the apparatus or equipment. If in doubt ask the Officer in Charge before proceeding. Don’t service or repair apparatus or equipment while it is in motion. When mounting or dismounting apparatus – Engines, Tenders, Brush Trucks or EMS vehicles use 3 point contact and proper steps. Don’t jump off an apparatus. Don’t work directly below a raised piece of equipment unless it has been tied off or secured in such a fashion that would prevent it from falling. All heavy apparatus must be safely parked, chocked and secured, before it is left unattended, even for short periods of time. Ladders and Safety Harnesses Only use Authority tested ladders and harnesses for assigned tasks Face the ladder when going up or coming down When working on roofs work off of a ladder when reasonable and possible to do so. Secure ladders from falling by having them set at the right angle, tied off or tended. Promptly report unsafe ladders or harnesses to the Officer in Charge. Only approved body harnesses will be used when needed and shall be secured by a lanyard. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY Hand and Portable Electric or Gas Tools Use the right tool for the job. Don’t use defective, dull, or damaged tools. Report defective tools to the Officer in Charge. Keep guards and safety devices in place and functioning properly. Inspect electric cords, plugs, and receptacles before use and have them repaired or replaced if worn or damaged. Electric cords will not be spliced and taped. Make certain that all electrical hand tools and portable generators are properly grounded. Do not use power cords to raise and lower portable electric tools. Fire and Flammable Materials Gasoline shall be stored in approved containers. Flammable sprays and liquids are to be stored in an approved container and labeled Flammable. Use proper precautions when transferring fuel or refueling equipment. Stop motors, do not smoke or allow open flames or any other source of ignition in the area, close containers and eliminate any spillage. Don’t use gasoline for cleaning purposes. Use only approved cleaning solvents, in well- ventilated areas. Housekeeping Do your part to keep work areas, walkways, etc. clear of debris which create tripping or fire hazards. At no time shall scrap or debris be permitted to accumulate to such a degree as to endanger health or to cause a safety and/or health hazard. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY Medical Treatment and Injury Reports During your participation with the Riverside Fire Authority you are insured for medical treatment and disability due to an injury or occupational illness suffered in the performance of your duties. Failure to comply with the following guidelines may result in refusal of your claim and corrective action or discipline as detailed in Authority Policy and Labor Agreements.. 1. Report any work related injury or illness to the Officer in Charge promptly (regardless of how minor it may appear to be). 2. Obtain authorization from the Officer in Charge for medical treatment. 3. Obtain prompt medical attention. Don’t wait until it is convenient at a later date. 4. Inform the Fire Chief or his Designee if you will be unable to return and participate in the Authority for any length of time if it is because of the injury or illness. If you engage the services of a physician on your own without notifying the Authority of an Authority related injury or illness, you may be held responsible for payment of bills incurred and may jeopardize your eligibility for disability benefits. Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY Corrective Action Plan “Disciplinary Procedures” Riverside Fire Authority promotes an environment where its members should feel free to resolve troublesome issues with other members of the Authority; however, whenever management observes performance or behavior problems or where there has been a violation of work rules, policies or operating guidelines or other standards as discussed in this program, then Management has the right to assess any of the following corrective actions as found in Policy #212. The Riverside Fire Authority shall have the right to determine the appropriate level of corrective or disciplinary action depending on the circumstances and the seriousness of each individual offense as well as any past problems with the member. All due consideration will be given to provisions of the collective bargaining unit labor agreement when applying these actions. Member Acknowledgement Member: _____________________________________________ Date ____________ Chief: _______________________________________________ Date ____________ Riverside Fire Authority As part of my safety orientation, I have received a copy of this document and understand that I am required to observe these rules and any other safety instructions received while a member of the Riverside Fire Authority Member Signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________ Revised 040116 RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY International First Responder Seatbelt Pledge Buckle Up! So Everyone Goes Home Motor vehicle accidents account for approximately twenty-five percent of firefighter line of duty deaths and many injuries per year. It is the policy of the Riverside Fire Authority (RFA) that all emergency response personnel shall adhere to the approved seatbelt use policy. All RFA personnel must be seated and belted whenever the vehicle (either RFA or personal) is in motion for RFA business. The driver and/or officer shall assure by voice and personnel reply that seatbelts are properly fastened. The driver will only proceed when it can be confirmed that all members are seated and belted. The only exception to the use of seatbelts while a vehicle is in motion is a situation where a person is providing direct patient care (EMS) and there is no reasonable restraint system available. Furthermore, the RFA pledges to adhere to the International First Responder Seatbelt Pledge. As a participant in this pledge, the RFA make this first step toward safety by reinforcing that all members wear their seatbelts, follow all seatbelt laws, and RFA Apparatus Operating policies and procedures. Member Signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________ Revised 040116