Whitman County Rural Library

 

Risk  Management  Policy

 

 

Table of Contents

 

I..                Purpose/objective                            Page  1

 

II.            Loss Control Responsibilities                1

                A.                 Library Director                1

                B.                Library Safety Chair                1

                C.                Library Board of Trustees                2

                D.                Library Employees                2

 

III.           Vehicle Safety                                    2

                A.                 Vehicle Inspections                2

                B.                Vehicle Maintenance                2

                C.                Vehicle Operation                2

 

IV.           General Safety                                    3

                A.                Personal Safety                  3

                B.                Personal Protective Equipment                3

                C.                Library Property                3

                D.                 First Aid & CPR                          3

                E.                 Handicap Access                3

 

V.            Vehicle Tool List                               4
I.                PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

 

A.                To establish risk management and safety policies to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

 

B.                To encourage staff and the general public to fully participate in said safety procedures.

 

C.                To provide direction for efficient and safe operation of Library services and the maintenance thereof.

 

D.                To develop and implement policies that will meet the safety criteria established by state regulations and consistent with suggested risk management procedures by the Library's insurance carrier.

 

 

II.            LOSS CONTROL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

A.                Director

 

                The Director, as the Library's chief administrative officer will have the overall responsibility to implement and monitor the loss control policies with specific responsibilities as follows:

 

a.                Appoint a safety chair to implement the risk management program for the Library.

 

b.                Investigate accidents to ensure that cause factors are identified and proper corrective action is taken to prevent recurrence.

 

c.                Audit the program, with the chair, to appraise it for effectiveness in all situations.

 

B.                Safety Chair

               

                The Safety Chair will be responsible for the direction of the risk management program, specifically:

 

a.                Make recommendations to the Director for approval so that appropriate action can be taken.

b.                Maintain a risk management program that includes current practices that are effective in preventing injuries, vehicular safety, maintenance of Library buildings and equipment, and provision of efficient operation of services.

 

c.                Inform the Director and the Board of Trustees about status of matters affecting the risk management program.

 

d.                Coordinate compliance with federal, state, and local safety laws.

 

e.                Provide adequate safety orientation, job training safety, and continuing safety instructions to all  employees and volunteers.  There must be an annual formal safety review at each annual staff development day.  Winter driving safety instruction should be included in each branch managers November visit to headquarters.

 

C.                LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

                The Library Board of Trustees, by resolution, will endorse all risk management policies and procedures, and will strive to allocate available and adequate funding to comply with requirements contained herein.               

 

D.                LIBRARY EMPLOYEES

               

                All Library employees will adhere to all adopted policies to ensure efficient operation and maintenance of Library services and for their own safety and protection as well as the public they serve.  Specific requirements as a condition of employment include:

 

a.                Promptly and accurately report all accidents and injuries.

 

b.                Promptly report all unsafe actions and conditions to their supervisor.

 

c.                Keep work areas and access to these work areas, clean and safe at all times.

d.                Study, observe and obey all safety practices including the wearing of personal protective equipment when it is needed.

e.                Cooperate with other employees to eliminate accidents.

 

 

III.                VEHICLE SAFETY

 

The risk management policy applies to all activities within the scope of Library operations, including non-owned vehicles:

 

A.                Vehicle Inspections:

                Each vehicle used for library business will be inspected once a month, and a written record maintained,  for mechanical adequacy and safety by the operator/owner. If any defects are found with any of the following they must be repaired prior to use:  Headlights, rear lights, parking lights, turn signals, seat belts, foot and emergency brakes, steering, exhaust system, cracked windows, and low tire pressure. (A list of suggested tools to carry in each vehicle is attached to this document.)

 

B.                Vehicle Maintenance:

                The vehicle operator/owner is expected to maintain a safe vehicle for use on library business.

 

C.                Vehicle Operation:

1.                All vehicles will be operated only by employee-owners, and the use of seat-belts are mandatory when vehicle is in operation.

 

2.                Vehicle operators/owners must possess a valid Washington State Drivers license, and submit a record of same to be placed in his/her personnel file.

 

3.                Vehicle operators/owners must provide proof of the required state insurance coverage. 

 

4.                Employees will be reimbursed for the travel/mileage expenditures at the current Whitman County rate per mile when use is pre-approved by the Director. A minimum liability coverage of $300,000 is advised.

IV.                          GENERAL SAFETY

                               

A.                Personal Safety

 

1.                All employees must be fully aware of potential problem patrons and adhere to the "Problem Patron Manual". Especially each branch manager, when working alone, must have access to local law enforcement.  Every employee must act upon their own "comfort" level in any situation and their decision should be respected.

 

2.                Each employee, by law, must take a 15 min. break mid-morning and mid-afternoon in addition to at least a 30 minute lunch break.  This is to insure the most productive work patterns and minimize stress and fatigue.

 

B.                Personal Protective Equipment

               

                Any Library employee who performs a task that could result in injury or illness must wear protective equipment while performing such tasks.  Examples include (but are not limited to):

 

1.                Rubber gloves must be worn when working with any blood-borne pathogens.  (Blood, vomit, any bodily fluid.)

 

2.                Rubber gloves must be worn when cleaning the public restrooms (see above).

 

C.                Library Property

 

1.                Library buildings will contain necessary emergency equipment and supplies for fire protection and will be checked annually for any necessary repair or replacement.  Fire/emergency exits will be well marked and easily accessible.  The Headquarters building will be checked annually by the Fire Dept. to prevent fire hazards.  Employees will be informed of evacuation procedures. 

 

2.                Employees will report any obvious or potential safety or health hazard to their immediate supervisor. 

 

3..                Exterior walks must be kept free of ice, snow and other hazards at all locations.

 

D.                First Aid/CPR

 

                By the Annual Branch Meeting and Staff Development Day, 1995, all full time employees at HQ must have a First Aid/CPR card issued within the past three years. Cards will be checked for validity at each of these annual meetings. All branch managers are encouraged to have such a First Aid/CPR card.  These courses are available periodically through the local Fire Dept. and the Library encourages all employees to attend. Time spent at the classes will be compensated with an equal number of comp. hours.

 

E.                Handicap Access

                It is the intention of the Library Board of Trustees that safe access to our facilities be provided to all people, including those with handicaps.

 

                Every effort should be made by each staff member to be aware of these needs and provide assistance when asked.

Vehicle Tools List:

 

                1.                First Aid Kit

                2.                Wheel blocks

                3.                Fuses

                4.                Jumper cables

                5.                Ice scraper

                6.                Shovel

                7.                Hand tool box

                8.                Screwdrivers

                9.                Pliers

                10.                Adj. wrenches

                11.                Flashlight

                12.                Tow chain

                13.                Warn. Triangle

                15.                Handyman Jack

                16.                Blanket/gloves/stocking cap