1. Policy Statement
Family Promise of Puget Sound (FPOPS) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all its employees, volunteers, individuals served, and visitors. We believe that all workplace injuries and illnesses are preventable. This policy defines our safety procedures, outlines applicable regulations, and establishes the clear expectation for all employees and volunteers to prioritize safety, report injuries or safety concerns promptly, and actively participate in maintaining a secure and healthy workplace. Our commitment extends to complying with all relevant federal and Washington State occupational safety and health regulations.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
* Ensure a safe and healthy working and service environment for everyone associated with FPOPS.
* Define clear safety procedures and expectations for all activities.
* Establish a systematic process for reporting and investigating workplace injuries, illnesses, and safety concerns.
* Promote a culture of safety awareness and proactive risk management.
* Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local occupational safety and health laws and regulations, including those enforced by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
3. Scope
This policy applies to all paid employees, unpaid staff, volunteers, and board members of Family Promise of Puget Sound. It covers all FPOPS facilities, vehicles, and any location where FPOPS business or activities are conducted. It also extends to ensuring the safety of individuals and visitors while on FPOPS premises.
4. Guiding Principles
* Safety as a Priority: Safety is paramount and integrated into all aspects of FPOPS operations and decision-making.
* Compliance: Adhere strictly to all federal, state, and local occupational safety and health regulations, including the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA), codified in RCW 49.17, and its administrative regulations (WAC 296 series).
* Shared Responsibility: Safety is a collective responsibility. Every individual has a role in maintaining a safe environment.
* Proactive Prevention: Identify and mitigate potential hazards before they cause harm.
* Prompt Reporting: Encourage immediate reporting of all injuries, illnesses, near misses, and safety concerns.
* Thorough Investigation: Investigate all incidents to determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
* Continuous Improvement: Regularly review safety practices and performance to identify areas for enhancement.
* Training and Education: Provide necessary training and information to ensure all individuals are aware of safety procedures.
5. Definitions
* Hazard: A condition or situation that has the potential to cause harm, injury, or illness.
* Incident: An unplanned event that results in, or has the potential for, injury, illness, or property damage. This includes “near misses.”
* Injury: Any physical harm or damage to the body.
* Illness: Any abnormal condition or disorder, other than one resulting from an occupational injury, caused by exposure to factors associated with employment.
* Near Miss: An unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or property damage but had the potential to do so.
* First Aid: Medical attention that is typically administered for minor injuries and does not usually require the services of a medical doctor.
* Recordable Injury/Illness: An injury or illness that requires medical treatment beyond first aid, results in lost work time, restricted work, or transfer to another job, or involves a fatality. These must be recorded on OSHA 300 logs (or state equivalent).
6. Policy Guidelines and Procedures
6.1. General Safety Procedures
* Hazard Identification and Control: FPOPS will regularly assess its facilities and operations to identify potential hazards. Appropriate control measures (e.g., engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment) will be implemented to eliminate or minimize risks.
* Emergency Preparedness: Clear emergency procedures for fire, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and other critical incidents will be developed, communicated, and regularly practiced. This includes evacuation plans and designated assembly points.
* Facility Maintenance: All FPOPS facilities, equipment, and vehicles will be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are safe and in good working order. Any defects or unsafe conditions must be reported immediately.
* Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Where hazards cannot be eliminated, appropriate PPE will be provided and required for specific tasks. Employees and volunteers must use and maintain PPE properly.
* Safe Work Practices: All employees and volunteers are expected to follow established safe work practices and procedures for their assigned duties.
* Violence Prevention: FPOPS maintains a strict Violence-Free policy (refer to FPPS-VF-001) to prevent workplace violence.
6.2. Injury and Illness Reporting
All workplace injuries, illnesses, and near misses, no matter how minor, must be reported promptly.
* Immediate Reporting: Any injury, illness, or near miss must be reported to the immediate supervisor (or Program Director/CEO if the supervisor is unavailable or involved in the incident) as soon as possible after the incident occurs, ideally within 24 hours.
* First Aid: For minor injuries requiring only first aid, the incident should still be reported and documented.
* Medical Attention: For serious injuries or illnesses, immediate medical attention should be sought. The supervisor should be notified as soon as it is safe to do so.
* No Retaliation: No employee or volunteer will be disciplined or retaliated against for reporting a workplace injury, illness, or safety concern in good faith.
6.3. Incident Investigation
All reported incidents (injuries, illnesses, near misses) will be investigated thoroughly to determine their root causes and prevent recurrence.
* Supervisor Responsibility: The immediate supervisor is responsible for initiating the investigation.
* Investigation Process: The investigation will involve gathering facts, interviewing witnesses, identifying contributing factors, and determining corrective actions.
* Documentation: All investigations will be documented, including findings, recommendations, and actions taken.
* Recordable Injuries: Recordable injuries and illnesses will be logged in accordance with OSHA (or Washington L&I) recordkeeping requirements.
6.4. Safety Concerns and Hazard Reporting
* Reporting Hazards: Employees and volunteers are encouraged and expected to report any unsafe conditions, hazards, or safety concerns they identify to their immediate supervisor or Program Director promptly.
* Addressing Concerns: All reported safety concerns will be reviewed, and appropriate action will be taken to address them in a timely manner.
6.5. Training and Education
FPOPS will provide ongoing health and safety training to all employees and volunteers, which may include:
* General safety orientation upon hire/onboarding.
* Specific hazard training relevant to their job duties.
* Emergency procedures and evacuation drills.
* First aid and CPR training for designated personnel.
* Review of this policy and other relevant safety guidelines.
7. Responsibilities
* CEO: Overall responsibility for the health and safety program, ensuring adequate resources, and compliance with all applicable regulations.
* Program Directors/Supervisors: Responsible for implementing and enforcing this policy within their areas of responsibility, conducting incident investigations, providing safety training, and addressing hazards promptly.
* All Employees and Volunteers: Responsible for:
* Working safely and following all established safety procedures.
* Using provided PPE correctly.
* Reporting all injuries, illnesses, and near misses immediately.
* Reporting any unsafe conditions or hazards.
* Participating in safety training.
* Safety Committee (if applicable): May be established to assist in hazard identification, policy review, and promoting safety awareness.
8. Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with this policy, including failure to follow safety procedures or report incidents, may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or service. Serious violations may also lead to legal penalties as mandated by state and federal law.
9. Policy Review and Revision
This policy will be reviewed annually by the CEO and Board of Directors, or more frequently as needed, to ensure its continued effectiveness and alignment with organizational needs, best practices, and legal requirements, particularly those set forth by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) under WISHA. Any revisions will be communicated to all relevant personnel.