HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 108.01 REVISED 6-2017_Safety Committee A-I-E Review108.01— Safety Committee Accident/Injury/Exposure Review
Effective: 11/1/1999
Revised: 6/5/2017
Replaces:
I. Guiding Philosophy
Safety and accident prevention is everyone's job. National occupational safety and health
standards have traditionally held that roughly 95% of all workplace accidents are
by someone (by their action or inaction) at the employee, supervisor, manager, and/or at the
organizational level. We are committed to working together and doing our best to:
10 Minimize accidents, injuries and exposures.
10 Create and sustain a "11'lllllllllNIK �Sa 1PIE11VI1 IFIllfllS'11' culture based on our managed -risk
philosophy.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide a standard process for review and analysis of
accidents, injuries and occupational exposures.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to:
A. Discuss general safety and health responsibilities and preventability.
B. Describe the organization of the Safety Committee and the goal of the committee's
review function.
C. Detail the Safety Committee accident, injury and occupational exposure review
process and responsibilities.
IV. Definitions
A. Accident — Damage or injury that occurs because of a risk that was poorly
managed.
B. Accountability — The obligation of an individual or organization to account for and
justify one's actions and/or decisions, to accept responsibility and associated
consequences, and to disclose the outcomes in a transparent manner.
C. Aggravating Factors — Any facts regarding the circumstances surrounding an
accident, injury or exposure that may increase responsibility for the occurrence.
D. At -Fault — When looking at the totality of the circumstances surrounding an
accident, the member(s) actions and/or behavior were deemed to be more than 50%
of the cause, failure to prevent, or other contributingfactor(s) actor(s) leading to the
occurrence. At -Fault accidents are preventable.
E. Damage — Cost of medical treatment + Cost of repairs + Cost of lost time.
F. Duty Period — Shift that an individual was working (8 -hour, 10 -hour, 12 -hour, 24-
hour)
G. Exposure —The condition of being subjected to a source of risk.
H. Fit for Duty — An individual is in a physical, mental, and emotional state which
enables him/her to perform the essential tasks of his/her work assignment in a
manner which does not threaten the safety or health of oneself, co-workers,
property, or the public at large.
I. Lost Time Iniury —Injury sustained by an employee that will ultimately lead to the
loss of productive work time in the form of worker delays or absenteeism.
Maior Iniuries — Those injuries requiring hospital admittance (firefighters or
citizens).
K. Mentoring — Providing support to, and feedback on, the individual in his/her
charge.
L. Minor Iniuries — Those injuries to persons that require first aid only.
M. Mitigating Factors — Any facts regarding the circumstances surrounding an
accident, injury or exposure that may decrease responsibility for the occurrence.
N. Moderate Iniuries —Those injuries that require the fire fighter to miss more than
one Duty Period.
O. Occupational Exposure — Contact with blood, other potentially infectious
pathogens or hazardous materials that may result from the performance of an
employee's duties.
P. Occurrence — Single case or instance (of an accident, injury or occupational
exposure).
Q. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Specialized clothing or equipment worn
by an employee for protection against a hazard.
SOG 108.01 — Safety Committee Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Page 2 of 1 1
R. Preventable — When an individual, group or supervisor(s):
1. Commits errors and/or fails to react reasonably to the errors of others.
2. Should have known about a potential hazard, but didn't.
3. Have some responsibility for either:
a. Causing,
b. Failing to prevent, and/or
c. Contributing to an injury occurrence.
S. Reportable Injury —Injury that requires first aid treatment, treatment by a
physician, causes noticeable discomfort and/or physical restrictions, or that may
result in lost time.
T. Serious Injury — May include, but is not limited to:
1. Death
2. Major Trauma (burns, amputation, head trauma, broken bones, severe cuts)
3. Major back or j oint injury
4. Paralysis
5. Sudden loss of sight or hearing
6. Serious occupational disease (TX Gov't Code, Title 6, Chapter 607)
U. TCFP — Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
V. TCFP Investigable Injuries — as defined by the TCFP, those resulting from:
1. The malfunction of personal protective equipment,
2. The failure of personal protective equipment to protect the fire fighter from
injury,
3. Injury sustained from failure to comply with any provision of TCFP-
mandated department standard operating guidelines.
W. TCFP Zero -Tolerance Violations — Includes injuries resulting from violations of
the following Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) mandated standard
operating guidelines:
1. SOG 201.01 —Local ICS and NIMS
SOG 108.01 — Safety Committee Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Page 3 of 1 1
2. SOG 202.01 – 2-In/2-Out & IDLH Operations
3. SOG 303.01 – Personnel Accountability System
4. SOG 303.04 – Use of PPE/SCBA/PASS
5. SOG 601.01 – Inspection & Maintenance of Structural Firefighting PPE
6. SOG 601.02 – Inspection & Maintenance of SCBA/PASS
V. Safety & Health General Responsibilities & Preventability
A. We recognize that the responsibilities for safety and health are shared between
individual members, supervisors, and managers.
All Members are responsible for:
a. Developing a'11'111NITR �Sj 111f 1111 11� lllSV I" attitude in themselves and in
those they may supervise.
b. Maintaining Fitness for Duty, based on their rank and assignment.
c. Continuously maintaining situational awareness and practicing
safety when performing both emergency response and routine duties.
d. Adhering to SOG 200.01—Risk Management & Tactical Priorities,
and other safety-related rules, regulations, and standard operating
guidelines.
2. Captains are also responsible for:
a. Ensuring that all emergency operations, maintenance, fitness and all
other activities are performed with the utmost regard for the safety
and health of everyone involved, including themselves.
b. Coaching, mentoring and properly supervising members assigned to
them to support efficient responders, effective teams and safe
working conditions.
c. Promptly communicating issues that cannot be resolved at their level
through their chain of command, as well as possible safety
improvements or solutions through the Solutions Box or Safety
Committee.
The Chief Officers are also responsible for:
a. Leadership and oversight of the safety and health program, its
overall effectiveness and on-going improvement.
b. Developing and implementing risk management plans, methods, and
providing guidance.
c. Following up on actions necessary to facilitate and implement
effective risk management and safe operations.
SOG 108.01 — Safety Committee Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Page 4 of 1 1
B. Preventable does not mean blame. It does mean Accountability. For each vehicular
accident, injury or occupational exposure occurrence, all affected members must:
1. Provide detailed information in answering the `11'1i10 WIRAT� pIlRllEN
TITEREI "H__'A"N _111ol questions regarding an accident, injury or
exposure occurrence.
ll ll��,llV 1E. N.° .� llV1ll���llVn accidents injuries and exposures.
2. Be accountable for?
3. Do their best to prevent recurrence.
NOTE:
Certainly, there are clear-cut cases where occurrences are
caused by violation of well-established regulations and/or
guidelines, motor vehicle laws, or even common sense. In other
cases, the circumstances may be more complex and require
more careful examination before a decision as to Preventability
can be determined.
VI. Joint Union -Management Safety & Health Committee
A. The Joint Union -Management Safety & Health Committee (Safety Committee) is
established in Article X. Health & Salty in the collective bargaining agreement.
B. Management representatives appointed to the Safety Committee will normally be:
1. Operations Section Chief (Facilitator)
2. Operations Section Deputy Chief on -duty
3. Logistics -Support Branch Chief
C. Temporary or fill-in management representatives to the Safety Committee may be
made at the discretion of the Operations Section Chief.
D. The Safety Committee may stand up temporary sub -committees, as needed, with
approval of the Fire Chief.
E. The Safety Committee will review accident, injury and occupational exposure
reports in conjunction with its monthly meeting.
F. The objectives of the Safety Committee in reviewing an accident, injury or
exposure report are to:
1. Objectively review the facts surrounding the Occurrence.
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2. Determine if the occurrence was PREVENTABLE
Insure members involved are Accountable for their PREVENTABLE
actions and/or decisionser State civil service law,
p local civil service
rules, City policy and department rules, regulations and SOGs.
4. Recommend a feasible strategy that will minimize the risk of future
occurrence through the implementation of corrective, remedial and/or
disciplinary actions.
G. Safety Committee meeting minutes will be posted in Laserfiche.
VII. Safetv Committee Accident/Iniury/Exposure Review Process & Responsibilities
A. The on -duty Deputy Chief will insure all accident, injury (on- and off-duty), and
occupational exposure reports (with appropriate supplemental documentation) for
their shift or section are complete, accurate, legible, and submitted per the
applicable SOG.
B. Prior to the scheduled monthly Safety Committee meeting, the Operations Section
Chief will insure:
Verification that the Deputy Chiefs have completed the requirement
above and follow up to insure compliance, as required.
2. The Operations Secretary has compiled and organized a review packet
for each report submitted to include, in the following order:
a. Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Summary Report form (see
Appendix A)
b. Applicable report forms [accident, injury, exposure]
c. Supplemental Information, as available (example: Police Report
and witness statements for vehicle accidents, NFIRS report, etc.)
d. Printout of member(s) accident, injury & exposure prior history
Insure the Safety Committee notebook has been updated, and that all
needed documents and materials are organized and ready for the
meeting.
C. Committee members will assess each review packet to determine if the occurrence
(accident, injury an or occupational exposure) was ll[ R 1.n.Y 111 based on the
definition provided in this policy.
D. The facts reported in the review packet will be evaluated to determine if:
1. Further information or examination is required.
SOG 108.01 — Safety Committee Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Page 6 of 1 1
2. Follow-up corrective or remedial action(s) and/or discipline may be
required.
A recommendation to initiate a professional standards investigation should
be made.
E. If further information or examination is required, the case should be referred to
either the:
1. Member's Deputy Chief to facilitate a supervisory inquiry related to
incomplete reports or information.
2. Logistics Section Chief to facilitate a supervisory inquiry related to
malfunction of personal protective equipment (PPE), and/or condition or
malfunction of other equipment, facilities or apparatus.
3. Fire Chief to initiate a professional standards investigation.
F. Inquiries and subsequent investigations conducted related to accidents, injuries or
occupational exposures will adhere to SOG 702.02Complaint, Inquiry,,
Investigation, & Adjudication/ Discipline Processes.
G. The Safety Committee will recommend corrective and/or disciplinary actions
relative to the:
1. Applicable rules and regulations and/or standard operating guidelines
allegedly violated.
2. Severity of the Occurrence
a. Death, Major, Moderate or Minor Injuries?
b. Maj or, Moderate or Minor Damage?
c. TCFP Zero -Tolerance Violation?
3. Individual's prior history of related occurrences
4. Mitigating or aggravating factors, to include but not limited to:
1. Prior training and/or experience?
2. Time in current position and/or grade?
3. Length of service?
4. PPE/Equipment Malfunction?
5. Negligence involved?
H. Mitigating or aggravating factors are those which would cause employees to
deviate, in an exaggerated manner, from normal behavior. In these cases, the factors
involved will be considered by the Investigator, Safety Committee and/or the
Disciplinary Review Board (DRB).
SOG 108.01 — Safety Committee Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Page 7 of 1 1
If the Safety Committee and/or DRB determine that sufficient cause exists,
these factors may be cited to recommend corrective actions and/or discipline
outside of the established levels.
2. Deviation from normal disciplinary levels will be the exception to the rule
and will be limited to rare and unusual situations.
3. If the Safety Committee and/or DRB use aggravating or mitigating factors to
deviate, they shall provide written explanation to the Fire Chief.
I. Corrective action recommendation options may include:
1. Policy Chante — Can include updates to rules and regulations, standard
operating guidelines, benchmarks. May also include recommending new
policy development in areas where none currently exists.
2. Equipment, Apparatus. Facility or Specification Changes — Can include
updates to existing items or new research or development initiatives.
3. Re-training — Can include knowledge-based activities, hands-on exercises
and/or subsequent competency evaluation.
4. Counselinz — Can include documented oral counseling (including, but not
limited to, referral to the EAP) or written reprimand.
J. Retraining or referral to the Employee Assistance Program are examples of
corrective action, and are not discipline.
1. Corrective actions may be recommended alone, or in conjunction with,
discipline.
2. As a minimum, retraining for driving -related violations will consist of
successful completion and documentation of an on-line defensive driving
course.
K. Disciplinary action recommendation options may include:
1. Suspension without Pay (up to and including indefinite)
2. Demotion
M. Members should be aware discipline can be imposed when violations of civil
service law and/or rules, and/or department rules, regulations or guidelines are
sustained, regardless of the disposition of alleged criminal charges.
SOG 108.01 — Safety Committee Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Page 8 of 1 1
N. Violations and corresponding corrective actions and/or minimum recommended
discipline are indicated in the matrices included in the appendices of the applicable
rules, regulations or guidelines.
O. Per civil service law, suspensions in excess of 15 days are offered at the discretion
of the Fire Chief, and are not subject to appeal. Any offers that are refused will
revert to indefinite suspension.
P. The Operations Section Chief will insure:
1. The Safety Committee is scheduled to meet monthly, unless a quorum of
Union and Management representatives cannot be achieved.
2. Review packets are compiled and organized per policy.
3. Packets are thoroughly reviewed.
4. Factors listed in this policy, as well as applicable rules, regulations and
standard operating guidelines are considered.
5. Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Summary Report form (Appendix A) is
completed for each packet reviewed.
6. SOG 702.02—Complaint, Inquiry, Investigation, & Adjudication/
Discipline Processes is followed when inquiries or professional standards
investigations are being conducted.
7. Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Summary Reports are forwarded with
attachments to the Fire Chief for review and final disposition.
8. Occurrences and review results have been properly logged in the tracking
spreadsheet.
9. Follow-up action items are addressed, and any approved corrective action
recommendations are implemented in a timely manner.
10. Reports and supporting documentation are filed in Laserfiche.
11. Safety Committee meeting minutes are posted in Laserfiche.
12. Accident, injury and/or exposure trends are identified and communicated to
the Management Team.
SOG 108.01 — Safety Committee Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Page 9 of 1 1
Q. The Fire Chief will insure:
1. Review and final disposition is communicated for each review packet and
Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Summary Report.
2. Effective follow-up is verified, and that any corrective action or discipline
recommendations are implemented in a timely manner.
3. Review and update of this guideline, as required.
SOG 108.01 — Safety Committee Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Page 10 of 1 1
Appendix A — Accident/Injury/Exposure Review Summary Report
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