Policy

Workplace Health and Safety Policy

Applies to: All employees, temporary staff, interns, volunteers, and contractors working on Company premises or job sites in California.

Purpose and Commitment

Company is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and inclusive workplace for all workers. We will prevent injuries and illnesses, protect mental and physical well-being, and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) requirements. We will provide training, equipment, and resources at no cost to employees and will not tolerate retaliation for reporting hazards, injuries, or exercising safety rights.

Scope and Key Standards

This policy is designed to meet or exceed applicable California requirements, including:

• Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) (8 CCR §3203) – required for all CA employers
• Hazard Communication (HazCom) (8 CCR §5194)
• Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention (8 CCR §3395) and any applicable indoor heat or local protections
• Workplace Violence Prevention (SB 553) – effective July 1, 2024
• Ergonomics (Repetitive Motion Injuries) (8 CCR §5110), if triggered
• Cal/OSHA Injury/Illness Record keeping (8 CCR §14300 et seq.) and reporting of serious incidents
• Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (8 CCR §5199), where operationally applicable
• ADA/FEHA reasonable accommodations, pregnancy, lactation, and language access

Roles and Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership: Allocate resources, set safety expectations, and review performance.
• Safety Officer/IIPP Administrator: [Name/Title] Maintains programs, coordinates training, and ensures multi-language access.
• Supervisors/Managers: Enforce safe work practices, conduct training, correct hazards, and support reporting without retaliation.
• Employees: Follow training and procedures, use provided PPE, and immediately report hazards, incidents, or concerns.
• Contractors/Visitors: Comply with Company safety rules while on site.

Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)

Company maintains a written IIPP that includes:

• Responsible Person: [Name/Title]
• Hazard Identification: Routine inspections, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and employee reports.
• Incident Investigation: Prompt fact-finding to identify root causes and corrective actions, with a no-blame approach.
• Hazard Correction: Timely correction with tracking to completion.
• Training and Instruction: Provided at hire and when new hazards, equipment, or procedures are introduced.
• Communication: Multi-channel communications and anonymous reporting available.
• Compliance: Positive reinforcement for safe behaviors and fair discipline for violations.
• Record keeping: Maintain inspection logs, training records, and corrective action tracking.

Hazard Communication (HazCom)

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Accessible to all workers during each shift.
• Labels and Warnings: All containers labeled per GHS.
• Chemical Inventory: Maintained and reviewed annually.
• Training: Employees will be trained on chemical hazards, protective measures, and how to read labels and SDS.

Heat Illness Prevention

Applicability: Outdoor work and any indoor areas subject to heat stress risks.

• Drinking Water: Fresh, cool, and readily available.
• Shade/Recovery Areas: Provided when temperatures warrant or upon request.
• Rest Breaks: Preventive cool-down rests encouraged.
• Acclimatization: Gradual increase of exposure for new/returning workers.
• High-Heat Procedures: Enhanced monitoring and communication during high temperatures.
• Training: Includes risk factors, symptoms, first aid, and rights to cool-down rest.

Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) – SB 553 Compliance

Company maintains a written WVPP covering all fixed and temporary California workplaces.

• Responsible Person: [Name/Title]
• Employee Participation: Workers and unions (if any) can help develop, implement, and review the WVPP.
• Hazard Identification: Site-specific assessments, engineering and administrative controls, and security measures.
• Incident Reporting and Response: Clear, retaliation-free reporting and coordination with security/law enforcement.
• Violent Incident Log: Maintained without personal identifiers, capturing key details and corrective actions.
• Training: Initial and at least annual training on recognizing warning signs, de-escalation, and emergency procedures.
• Record keeping and Review: Maintain plan, training, assessments, and logs per statutory timelines; conduct annual program review.

Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Health

• Workstation and Task Design: Apply ergonomic principles to reduce risk factors.
• Evaluations: Upon employee report of discomfort or when new equipment/processes are introduced.
• Controls: Engineering and administrative controls, job rotation, and ergonomics training.

Other Key Policies

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Company provides required PPE at no cost, with proper fit testing and training.
• Emergency Preparedness: An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is in place, including evacuation routes, assembly areas, and emergency contacts.
• Reporting: Serious injuries, illnesses, or fatalities are reported to Cal/OSHA without delay.
• Anti-Retaliation: Strict prohibition on retaliation for reporting hazards, injuries, or exercising safety rights.
• Language Access: All training and communications are provided in a language and at a literacy level employees understand.
• Floating Holidays and Religious/Cultural Observances: Company provides reasonable accommodations for sincerely held religious practices.

Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understand Company’s Workplace Health and Safety Policy, IIPP, and WVPP, and that I can ask for these materials in my preferred language. I understand my rights and responsibilities, including the right to report hazards without retaliation.

• Employee Name:
• Signature:
• Date:
• Language preference for safety training/materials:

Implementation Checklist (for management use)

• Appoint a Safety Officer and WVPP Coordinator.
• Complete a written IIPP and WVPP with site-specific hazards.
• Establish multi-language training and anonymous reporting.
• Build a chemical inventory and SDS library.
• Confirm potable water, shade, and heat procedures for applicable work.
• Set up an emergency action plan and drill cadence.
• Create a violent incident log template and train staff.
• Develop inspection schedules and a corrective action tracker.
• Configure recordkeeping (300/300A/301) and posting calendar.
• Coordinate contractor/host safety responsibilities.
• Schedule an annual program review.