Hoffman Estates Fire Department Safety Guidelines 2022 PDF

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY GUIDELINES – 001 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Occupational...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY GUIDELINES – 001 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Occupational Health and Safety Revision: 2 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2024 Fire Chief 4 PURPOSE The Battalion Chief of Training/Safety will serve as the Fire Department Safety Officer. The Safety Officer shall be responsible for the management of the Occupational Health and Safety Program and assist the Chief in matters of health and safety. DEFINITIONS The Safety Officer will be a member of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSC) and serve as a liaison between the OHSC and staff. POLICY It shall be the responsibility of the Safety Officer to maintain a knowledge of applicable laws and standards regulating occupational health and safety, a knowledge of potential safety and health hazards involved in fire fighting and other related activities, a knowledge of principles and techniques of management of a health and safety program, and a knowledge of health and fitness factors that affect the fire service work environment. ROLE OF THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE A. The Health and Safety Committee (OHSC) shall: 1. Serve in an advisory capacity to the Chief of the department on occupational health and safety issues. To evaluate relevant standards, laws, and regulations, identify departmental deficiencies, and recommend a plan of action to correct the deficiencies found. 2. Develop and submit health and safety policies and guidelines to the Chief for final approval and implementation. 3. Identify unsafe conditions or practices and recommend corrective actions. 4. Identify health and safety training needs to provide for improved employee 1  knowledge and awareness. 5. Review accidents and injuries to identify areas where apparatus, equipment, work environment, or practices can be improved to protect personnel safety. The OHSC is not a formal accident review board. 6. Establish ad hoc or standing sub-committees to assist in the development and management of the Occupational Health and Safety Program. 7. Work in conjunction with other divisions and committees in support of their efforts to conduct research and make recommendations for the improvement of apparatus, work environment, equipment, operations, or guidelines that impact occupational health and safety. 8. Coordinate with the appropriate division or staff member(s) through an assigned liaison or the Safety Officer, when addressing areas of mutual concern. 9. Serve on the Village Central Safety Committee. The Safety Officer/ Training Officer will represent the OHSC. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE GUIDELINE A. The Departmental Safety Officer shall be the chairperson. B. The Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSC) will be made up of representatives from:  SCBA Division Head  Protective Clothing Division Head  Professional Firefighters Association Local #2061 - (3)  Fire Prevention Bureau  Designated Infection Control Officer  EMS  Apparatus  Peer Fitness Trainer C. Selection of committee members: 1. The representatives of Local 2061 shall be appointed by the Union President. Local 2061 will notify the Chief and Safety Officer of the representatives selected. 2. All other representatives from the above group will be appointed by the Chief. 3. Each appointed member would serve a two (2) year term. 2 D. The Safety Officer will appoint a secretary who will keep accurate records and minutes for the OHSC. E. The OHSC will develop and maintain an Occupational Health and Safety manual, which will contain: 1. The sections, which make up the Occupational Health and Safety Program. 2. Training, informational and support materials regarding occupational health and safety. 3. Guidelines or practices to be followed in matters relating to health and safety. a. Guidelines may be adopted or amended by a majority vote of the OHSC members present at a regular or special meeting. b. Any guidelines, which are adopted or amended by the OHSC, shall be presented to the staff before they are formally implemented. 4. The OHSC will meet quarterly. The chair may call special meetings as necessary. STANDING AND AD HOC COMMITTEES A. The OHSC may create committees to deal with both broad areas of concern to the department with regard to occupational health and safety and to deal with related specific issues as they may arise. Committees may be either standing committees or ad hoc. Standing committees may be established to deal with on-going projects or programs that are an integral part of the Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHSP). Ad hoc committees may be established to deal with specific issues and shall serve for a specified period of time. The Chief must approve cost for such committees. B. The chair of the OHSC may appoint a standing or ad hoc committee chairperson to: 1. Recruit and select qualified members to serve on the committee. 2. Direct the committee to accomplish the goals and objectives provided by the OHSC or developed by the committee itself. 3. Report to the chair of the OHSC when requested or upon completion of his/her assigned responsibilities. 4. Serve as an advisory member to the committee and support efforts to meet their established goals and objectives. C. The chair of the OHSC may appoint a member of the OHSC to serve as a liaison 3  between the committee and the OHSC when necessary. The liaison shall: 1. Report when requested to the OHSC or upon completion of the committee's assigned responsibilities. 2. Serve as an advisory member to the committee and support efforts to meet their established goals and objectives. 3. The OHSC liaison shall not serve as chairperson of any standing or ad hoc committee. RECORDS The Hoffman Estates Fire Department shall develop or insure that records are maintained dealing with the following subjects: A. All accidents, injuries, occupational illnesses, deaths, and exposure to known or suspected toxic products or contagious diseases. B. Training records on all department members indicating dates, subjects covered, and any certifications achieved. C. Inspection, maintenance, repair, and service records for all vehicles and equipment used for emergency operations. E. Inspection records for all company inspections conducted in conjunction with a facility. Confidentiality and retention schedules of records shall be in compliance with the appropriate laws, codes, standards, and policies. PROCEDURE EXCEPTIONS REFERENCES DEFINITIONS End of Document 4