Creating the Program
The written injury and illness prevention program (IIPP) for the location should have at least the following elements:
Cal/OSHA has created: Guide to Illness and Injury Prevention
Identifying and Evaluating Workplace Hazards
Hazard control is the heart of an effective injury and illness prevention program (IIPP). Hazard control identifies hazards that exist or could develop at the location site. Hazards may exist not only in the physical environment but also in the human environment. An effective hazard control program addresses both types of hazards.
Conducting Periodic Inspections
The
plan administrator (and the safety team, where applicable) is responsible for:
Addressing Physical Hazards
Physical hazards are conditions that could cause accidents in and around buildings. Examples include uneven surfaces, fraying carpets, wet floors, broken furniture, open file drawers, exposed electrical wires, stacked items, stairways without handrails, blocked exits, vehicle traffic, etc. Many of these physical hazards can be identified and eliminated through proper inspection, construction, and maintenance programs.
Once identified, hazardous condition(s) should be corrected promptly, warnings should be posted at the scene, and/or the hazard should be painted in a conspicuous contrasting color. For construction issues, see Construction Policies and Procedures in Facilities.
Use the following checklists to record the results of the location's hazard identification process:
Identifying Ergonomic Hazards
Repetitive motions such as word processing, clerical work, or loading may cause physical injury. A location is required to implement an
ergonomics program that addresses a repetitive motion injury (RMI) if that RMI has occurred to more than one employee in the past 12 months. Consult the
Human Resources Department or the Catholic Cemeteries and Mortuaries safety compliance office at 323-524-7691 if an RMI arises.
Identifying Hazards from Human Interaction
The work, school, and worship environment may include individuals with unknown illnesses or conditions who may pose a potential threat to staff, students, or parishioners. While the sacramental life of the church is available to all faithful, staff and volunteers should report to the
person in charge when they observe individuals acting strangely or in an inappropriate manner that might signal cause for alarm.
Correcting Unsafe or Unhealthy Conditions
The
plan administrator (and the safety team, where applicable) is responsible for:
Ensuring that unsafe conditions that were highlighted by the self-inspections are addressed or otherwise remedied
Determining the amount of money required to correct any major conditions
Preparing a memorandum, if necessary, which is directed to the
person in charge and requests corrections or repairs
For construction issues, see Construction Policies and Procedures in
Facilities; if necessary, consult the
Construction Department.
For staff issues consult the
Human Resources Department.
For school issues consult the
Department of Catholic Schools at 213-637-7300.
Safety Training
To ensure proper implementation of an IIPP, the location shall conduct and document periodic training for staff. The
person in charge, the
plan administrator, and where applicable, the safety team, shall:
Arrange for all staff to receive general safety trainings in the location's
Emergency Plan, fire prevention, and fire extinguisher use (contact the local fire department for training)
Certify annually that such training was completed and logged by using the
Employee Training Verification Form; keep the forms according to the IIPP record-keeping requirements
Schedule periodic safety meetings; the plan administrator or safety team members should use safety as the topic of the meeting and require staff to sign an attendance sheet
Assure that all people who are involved in science lab teaching, whether at the elementary school or high school level, have participated in the archdiocesan
science safety course offered in cooperation with Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE)
With respect to hazards specific to each staff member's work assignment, the
plan administrator or designee is responsible for ensuring that people can perform their tasks safely and effectively. Each staff member and volunteer should be given the Code of Safe Practices that pertains to that staff member's or volunteer's duties and responsibilities:
Each staff member must sign the
Acknowledgement of Receipt and Review of Code of Safe Practices. A copy must be kept in the
staff member's personnel file.
Communicating and Encouraging Safe Practices
The archdiocese recognizes that two-way communication on health and safety issues is essential to injury-free productive locations. Safety and health information is communicated through:
New staff orientation
Safety team and staff meetings
Safety notifications
Reports of unsafe conditions and practices
Safety suggestions
Encouragement of safe practices
Staff members are encouraged to make suggestions about health and safety and training methods.
The
plan administrator should review the reports and suggestions. He or she should initiate an investigation of each report about unsafe conditions or hazards and each suggestion about health and safety or training. No person shall be retaliated against or harassed for reporting hazards or potential hazards or making suggestions related to safety.
3-17-2021