Eugene/Springfield Water Pollution Control Facility 1984-1991

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SAFETY PxoG~ The Wastewater Division safety program has been an essential element in preventing accidents and work-related illnesses of employees, contractors, and visitors. The success of the program can be attributed to the work of the safety committees and the involvement of employees from every part of the organization. The main components of the safety program in- cludepolicies, procedures, and work rules; regular safety inspections; consistent accident investiga- tions; clearly assigned safety responsibilities; and ^ STRUCTURE The structure of the Wastewater Division's safety program follows the guidelines and organization of the City's overall safety program. Each department of the City has committees and subcommittees that work on safety issues. The Public Works safety program is guided by an Accident Control Group II Safety Committee. Membership includes the department's executive and deputy directors and all Public Works division managers, including the Wastewater Division director. This committee is responsible for outlining management and em- ployee responsibilities, reporting accidents, over- seeingthe structure andfunction of safety commit- tees, and assisting with safety training and safety inspections. The Wastewater Division has two standing safety committees: the Accident Control Group III Safety Committee and Safety Subcommittee. The Safety Committee includes all Wastewater Division su- pervisors, the chair of the subcommittee, and the Safety Program Coordinator. During the monthly meetings, the committee reviews and makes rec- ommendations on accident investigations, safety policies and procedures, and training needs and suggests corrective action for unsafe work practices and/or conditions. A11 minutes and recommenda- tions are forwarded to the division director. on-going staff training. Most of the program com- ponents are developed through safety committees and are implemented by management. Managementis responsibleformaintainingawork environment-that meets-state-and federal safety laws; employees are responsible forfollowing safety procedures and correctly using equipment. Em- ployees are also responsible for reporting faulty equipment, unsafe work practices, and dangerous conditions in work areas. The Group III Safety Subcommittee includes rep- resentatives from each work section. Larger work sections, such as Operations and EquipmentMain- tenance, have two representatives each. Origi- nally, the subcommittee included representatives from both management and employees. However, in the last six years, the composition of the sub- committee has shifted from an equal number of managers and employees to a subcommittee com- posedentirely of employees. The main functions of the group are to investigate accidents, identify trainingneeds, andrecommend corrections for unsafe work practices and condi- tions. Monthly meetings are scheduled and con- ducted by the subcommittee chair; recommenda- tions and reports are forwarded to the Accident Control Group IILSafety Committee. A safety program coordinator, appointed by the Wastewater Division director, monitors all safety program activities to ensure conformance to City of Eugene and Public Works Department safety policies and procedures and compliance with all Oregon OSHA safety codes and regulations. The coordinator maintains the reports and minutes of safety meetings, serves as a resource on safety issues, coordinates safety meetings and training