Policy Text
Page 1 of 9 26/02 (New 10/98)
Facility Safety Inspection
The purpose of this Order is to establish a program of inspecti on that is designed to
identify and correct safety hazar ds, and to recommend upgrades in conditions,
housekeeping, equipment, engineeri ng controls, administration, personal protective
equipment (PPE), and/or procedures to minimize the chance that a job-related injury or
illness could occur. I. Responsibilities
A. Sheriff
1. Provides administrative dire ction of the Department Safety P lan
and approves the Safety Inspection Program and any revision to
the plan.
B. Executive Staff
1. Supports the Safety Inspecti on Program with adequate financi al
and staff resources.
C. Division Executive Officer ( Division Safety Representative)
1. Provide the necessary directi on and action to correct any sa fety
deficiencies discovered during a safety inspection and endorse any
necessary corrections where appropriate.
2. Appoint a Facility Safety Coor dinator who shall be responsib le for
the daily administration and coor dination of the Division Safet y
Program.
D. Facility Safety Coordinator
1. Conduct semi-annual facility safety inspections and prepare
documentation for abatement pur poses and report findings throug h
the chain of command.
2. Recommend any necessary resp onse action in order to reduce t he
risk of job-related in juries or illness.
3. Periodically inspect engi neering controls and PPE.
Page 2 of 9 26/02 (New 10/98) 4. Make random surveys of all work areas to ensure safe practic es
are adhered to.
E. Supervisor
1. Inform employees o f safety procedures.
2. Enforce applicable health and safety procedures. 3. Make routine visual surveys of work areas to ensure safe pra ctices
are being followed.
4. Periodically inspect engi neering controls and PPE.
5. Submit documentation through c hain of command for corrective
action in a timely manner.
6. Periodically submit nominees fo r safety awards through chain of
command (see Safety Incentive Program – General Order 26/06).
7. Provide documentation th rough chain of command for an
employee’s repeated non- conformance with established safety
procedures and safe practices.
II. Procedure
A. Inspection areas include:
1. Offices, storage areas/buildings 2. Warehouse areas 3. Equipment use areas 4. Vehicles
B. Frequency of Inspection
1. The frequency of inspection is determined by the hazard that exists
in the area being inspected. There are two types of areas to be
inspected: “high hazard” and “non-high hazard” areas.
2. High Hazard Area – Store, u se, or operate inherently dangero us
chemicals, equipment, machinery, tools, or processes.
a. High hazard areas should be in spected once a month by a
supervisor. Some high hazar d areas need to be inspected
more frequently as directed by the appropriate general
industry safety order tha t specifies the frequency of
inspection for the chemicals , equipment, machinery, tools, or
processes.
Page 3 of 9 26/02 (New 10/98) 3. Non-High Hazard Areas – Incl ude office environments and stor age
areas where inert materials may be inspected less frequently.
a. Non-high hazard areas shou ld be inspected every six
months.
4. Fire extinguishers shall be checked monthly for adequate cha rge.
5. Vehicles shall be checked prio r to operation on each shift b y the
operator. When a condition is found which could affect the safe ty of
a vehicle, the vehicle shall not be operated until the conditio n is
corrected or otherwise m ade safe for operation.
a. Routine maintenance and comprehensive vehicle
inspections are performed by C ounty fleet services at regular
intervals, not exc eeding 5,000 miles.
C. The division executive office r (Division Safety Representati ve) shall assign
qualified personnel (facility safe ty coordinators and superviso rs) to inspect
each of the work areas listed in Section II A on a periodic bas is using the
safety inspection forms.
1. Safety Inspection forms (Forms 7400-184A, 7400-184B, 7400-
184C) are specific to offices, storage areas, warehouse areas, and
equipment use areas respectively.
2. If an inspection is being c onducted by an i ndividual other t han the
affected supervisor, an effort s hall be made to contact the aff ected
supervisor prior to the inspecti on. However, if a supervisor is not
available, an inspection shall be conducted without the affecte d
supervisor present.
D. The Safety Inspection forms not e “Immediate Action” safety i tems that are
critical to safety. These items must be immediat ely resolved.
E. After conducting the inspection, the assigned inspector will forward copies
of their inspection to the Divis ion Safety Representative and a ffected
supervisor (if differen t from the inspector).
F. The supervisor is responsible fo r directing the correction o f any
“Immediate Action” safety defic iencies and for responding to an y other
safety issues that can be resolved.
G. The Division Safety Representat ive and/or Safety Committee s hall
periodically review safety ins pections at regularly scheduled c ommittee
meetings. Focus will be on unresolved “Immedi ate Action” safety items
and repeat unresolved items. Issu es requiring the authority of senior
management will be submitted to t