Introduction
Rose Pest Solutions is committed to maximizing safety in the workplace. Safety of our employees, customers and the general public is a primary concern for the Company.
In order to maintain a safe and healthful working environment, it takes the efforts of each individual to act responsibly and safely. Safety needs to be an integral part of every aspect of your job. No job is so important that you cannot take the time to perform it in a safe manner.
Our goal is to reduce the number of injuries and illnesses to an absolute minimum. By reducing those injuries, we become a more efficient and productive Company.
Rose Pest Solutions has developed a Safety and Health Program, which requires the participation of all employees. We maintain a safety and health program conforming to the best practices of our field. This program provides the outline to follow to work together to identify, control and eliminate workplace hazards before they occur. All employees are required to review this program and to actively participate in its execution.
Complying with federal, state, and local laws regarding working conditions and accident prevention is just the basis for maintaining a safe Company. Your safe work habits and hazard recognition skills combined with management's commitment will achieve our goal.
Robert J Dold
Chief Executive Officer
Safety Policy
It is the policy of Rose Pest Solutions that safety shall be of primary importance. Every employee is entitled to a safe and healthful place in which to work.
The objectives of our Safety and Health Program are as follows:
· Provide a safe and healthful work environment for all employees.
· Minimize the risk of human and economic loss resulting from personal injury and property damage.
· Ensure the security, protection and well being of the people and the property, of our Company.
· Maintain open communication and a chance to participate in prevention activities between employees and management.
· Maintain compliance with all existing safety and health laws that apply to the workplace.
The success of the Safety Program requires the cooperation and participation of each employee. Employees are to perform their duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with all relevant safety policies and procedures. Employees are expected to report unsafe conditions immediately. Every injury that occurs on the job, even a slight cut or strain, must be reported to management as soon as possible.
General Safety Guidelines
The following safety guidelines apply to all employees. Violation of these guidelines may be cause for immediate disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
1. Report any unsafe conditions or practices to your supervisor immediately, which is responsible for having the condition corrected prior to proceeding with the job.
2. Be sure you understand the safe way to perform any given task given you. Use good judgment. If in doubt, ask your supervisor before proceeding with the task.
3. If necessary to move heavy objects, ask someone to help you.
4. Use proper lifting techniques; lifting with their legs, not their backs; pivoting, not twisting; keeping the object close, not at a full reach.
5. All accidents must be reported immediately regardless of damage or injury and a report filled out.
6. Falsely submitting an accident report or false statements contained is a dishonest act and will result in your termination.
7. If you require medical treatment due to an on the job injury or job related illness, you may be required to be examined by a company determined physician.
8. You are required to keep all scheduled doctors appointments and treatments.
9. You must see your supervisor/manager immediately following doctor/hospital visits.
10. You are expected to abide by all recommended medical treatments and restrictions.
11. Your work related medical records remain the property of the company. Copies of your records can be obtained by submitting a written request to your department manager.
12. In commercial accounts or in homes that are closed, always lock yourself in so strangers cannot enter while you are working. This will protect you as well as the customer's property.
13. Children are curious and will want to touch and see what you have. Warn children that it is unsafe touch anything. Have a parent or guardian keep the children out of any room you are working in.
14. Good housekeeping must be practiced at all times in the work area. Aisles, stairways, and exits should be kept clean and free from equipment and obstructions within reason.
15. Suitable clothing and footwear must be worn at all times. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (i.e. hardhats, respirators, and eye protection) will be worn whenever required. It is your responsibility to see that protective equipment should be in good repair.
16. Horseplay and practical jokes will not be tolerated when safety is at issue.
17. Keep all tools and equipment in a safe working condition and in a safe location, preferably in sight. Never use defective tools or equipment.
18. If you violate safety rules you will be subject to disciplinary procedures.
19. You will maintain control of the vehicle you are operating regardless of conditions.
20. If you are under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs, which might impair your skills and judgment, you shall not be allowed on the job.
21. No one shall be permitted to work while his/her ability or alertness is so impaired by fatigue, illness, or other causes that it might expose the him/her or others to injury.
22. Chemical safety is important. Review labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for possible hazards, recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and first aid or treatment for exposures, before using any chemical.
Responsibilities
Each manager or supervisor is responsible for daily administration and enforcement of the Safety and Health Program.
The branch manager is designated as the person responsible for maintaining, and implementing Rose Pest Solutions Safety and Health Program. The branch manager provides the guidance, resources and commitment for the safety and health of all employees at this location.
All employees have the responsibility of complying with the company's safety policies, rules and procedures. Disciplinary action, up to and including termination may be taken for violations of this program.
Training
No matter how safe a work environment Rose Pest Solutions provides, much of our success depends upon each individual. Unsafe actions, the largest cause of on-the-job injuries, are usually the result of inadequately trained or careless employees.
The goal of our safety program is to teach and encourage safe behaviors. Through our safety training programs, we will provide employees with information about hazards associated with our work so they can actively participate in protecting themselves and others.
Training and instruction will occur:
· For all current employees to stay updated with safe work practices in order to maintain a consistent work environment.
· For all new employees as they are hired through the orientation process within the first weeks of employment.
· When new equipment has been purchased and when new procedures have been implemented.
· Ongoing or interval hazard prevention and awareness and annual safety training for all employees.
· To update safety information for all employees to assure their thorough knowledge of potential hazards and safety procedures in the workplace.
· When a deficiency presents in the form of an observed unsafe act, near miss, or accident.
Safety/Hazard Assessments
Safety and health audits are a proactive method of controlling unsafe conditions in the workplace. The safety audit process will be utilized as a means to create safety awareness. Corrective action to control unsafe circumstances will be taken immediately by management upon the discovery of a hazardous situation. In addition to reviewing past accident logs, workplace safety inspections will occur periodically, when conditions change, or when a new process or procedure is implemented. Managers and supervisors are responsible for being aware of existing and changing safety standards and communicating them to all employees.
Report of Injuries / Claims
Report all work-related injuries and illnesses to your supervisor no matter how minor and regardless of whether or not medical attention is necessary. Situations of re-injury must also be reported, even though the original injury has previously been reported.
If medical attention is necessary, arrangements will be made to have your condition evaluated and treated by an occupational medical provider. If the incident or accident is serious and medical transport is necessary, dial 911 and follow the operators instructions. When emergency transport is not necessary, a supervisor should transport accident victims. No employee is to seek medical attention for a work-related injury without first reporting the injury. If you are sent to the occupational medical provider, it is your responsibility to keep the company informed of your condition, on a continuing basis. In addition, you are required to abide by the physician’s instructions for care both on and off the job.
An accident report must be completed by you as soon as possible following the injury or property damage (by the end of the working day in which the accident occurred.). The supervisor investigates every accident and recommendations will be made to correct whatever caused the accident.
In all cases of work injury, a drug and or alcohol test will be required for any employee who seeks medical attention outside of first aid. In cases of property damage or auto accidents estimated to be over $500.00 a drug and or alcohol test will be required.
If you are unable to work as a result of a work related injury, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Delays in reporting injuries/illnesses will delay Worker's Compensation benefits and may result in disciplinary action.
Accident Investigation
Rose Pest Solutions considers any work-related injury or illness a serious event. Understanding as many details as possible regarding the accident is critical to identifying the problem and trying to correct any potentially dangerous situations. Therefore, it is important that anyone who witnesses an accident or near miss, report to his or her supervisor, in as much detail as possible, any information surrounding the event. The supervisor investigates every accident and appropriate corrective action is carried out to prevent reoccurrence of the same type accident.
Disciplinary Actions
All employees must comply with the Company's safety initiatives. Disciplinary action up to and including termination may be taken for violations of this program. Based on the nature and seriousness of conduct, the following types of corrective action may be expected:
A verbal warning will be given in the case of a first offense of a minor type. The verbal warning is documented in writing in your employment file.
A written warning will be given in a second offense or a more serious type offense. Copies of the written warning will be recorded in your employment file. You may be suspended from work, without pay and a written notice, for a period of time, which may vary according to the seriousness of the offense and your employment record.
You will be terminated if you flagrantly violate Company rules, persist in continuous or repeated violations of company safety rules and/or work after repeated warnings continues at an unacceptable level of performance.
PPE
Proper use of personal protective equipment is mandatory for all employees and necessary for your protection. There are several different items for your personal protection, many of which are provided by Rose Pest Solutions. Your supervisor will advise you of what protective equipment is required for your job.
q Safety Shoes
Work boots or leather shoes with a slip and resistant sole are required to be worn by all service technicians.
q Bump Hats
Bump hats must be worn wherever the potential for head injury due to falling objects or striking overhead objects exists. Bump hats should be worn in the following situations:
· around or under conveyor belts
· at processing plants
· below machinery or processors
· in confined spaces such as a crawl space or under stairways
q Safety Glasses
Eye protection is to be worn when the chemical label lists this precaution or when a particular job site requires it. Safety glasses should be worn when crack and crevice applications are being made. Safety goggles may be required for working or entering certain chemical areas.
It is best to avoid wearing contact lenses where there are hazardous dusts, vapors, gases or liquids that could get trapped beneath the lenses. Contact lenses are prohibited in the processing area of any food plant. Keep protective eyewear clean. Clean the lenses thoroughly with soap and water. Disinfect eyewear that has been exposed to a hazardous substance. Store clean eye wear in a protective case.
q Hearing Protection
Hearing protection in the form of earplugs or earmuffs must be worn in environments where elevated noise levels exist. Hearing protection must be worn when a noise exposure exists (jackhammers, hammer drills, saws) or when working at a job site requiring such protection.
q Protective Gloves
Unlined liquid-proof neoprene or rubber gloves are required when mixing pesticides, using pesticides, or disposing of empty containers. Gloves should be long enough to protect the wrists and should be unlined to make them easier to clean. Contamination often happens when you remove your gloves briefly to adjust equipment, open a pesticide container, wipe your face, etc. and then put the gloves on again over your contaminated hands. If you must remove your gloves during a handling activity, wash your gloves thoroughly and dry them before you put the gloves on again.
Gloves are required when dealing with rodent droppings and ketchalls. Heavy-duty leather gloves are required to be worn when dealing with potentially rabid animals. The Company provides gloves for all employees.
q Knee Pads
Because you are expected to constantly bend, kneel and crawl in your job, we encourage all service technicians to wear kneepads.
q Clothing
When working with pesticides, long sleeved shirts and / or coveralls may be required when using certain products as per label instructions. Pants should cover the outside of boots to keep pesticides from getting inside the boots. An emergency change of clothing must be kept in your company vehicle.