SAFETY RULES
POLICY STATEMENT
The City of Little Rock recognizes that its employees are the most important asset involved in meeting the service needs of its citizens. The City also recognizes that safeguarding the health and welfare of its employees cannot be stressed too strongly. It is the policy of the City of Little Rock that every reasonable effort will be made to provide and maintain a safe and healthy workplace and to establish and insist upon safe methods and practices at all times.
Department managers and supervisors must take steps to eliminate unsafe conditions and unsafe practices, to observe rules of conduct and safety, and to ensure equipment is used correctly. It is the responsibility of every employee to observe rules of conduct and safety and to properly use the equipment that is provided.
The City's safety rules and regulations are developed for the protection of employees and citizens. These rules and regulations are to be considered directive in nature and are applicable to all employees. Prevention of accidents is the responsibility of all City employees.
Bruce Moore, City Manager
This employee safety handbook contains general safety rules. It has been developed and written to assist you in preventing accidents. For additional information contained in the City Safety Manual, consult your supervisor. Violations of safety regulations shall result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
SECTION 2 - EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
Read and understand your safety handbook. If you have any questions, ask your supervisor. All employees have a responsibility for safety of assigned work areas. All injuries, accidents and unsafe practices must be reported to a supervisor immediately
Work safely at all times.
Respect the safety of your fellow employees.
Report all unsafe conditions to a supervisor.
Keep work areas clean and orderly.
Always wear required personal protective safety equipment.
Operate only equipment you have been authorized to use. Follow supervisors instructions on how to use it safely.
Learn to lift and handle properly, use your legs not your back. Grasp each load firmly, and keep your back as straight as possible while lifting.
Know how to use emergency fire extinguishing equipment and where that equipment is located.
SECTION 3 - IN CASE OF ACCIDENT
Promptly report all work related injuries to your supervisor.
The supervisor shall complete the required accident report forms.
The supervisor will arrange for emergency transportation if needed, and if necessary accompany the injured person to treatment facilities.
SECTION 4 - DISCIPLINARY
The following violations of City safety rules will be sufficient grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment:
Disregard of safety rules or common safety practice.
Horseplay, scuffling, or fighting during working hours.
Possession, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during working hours.
Possession of prohibited weapons, explosives or property, during working hours.
Improper or unauthorized use of City vehicles or equipment.
Smoking in prohibited areas or where "NO SMOKING" signs are posted.
Failure to properly use required Personnel Protective Equipment.
SECTION 5 - PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Personal protective equipment will be made available by the City to employees working in areas where such equipment is required. Employees working in situations where personal protective equipment is required shall use that equipment.
Employees who have been issued such equipment are responsible for its care and condition, and will be required to turn in old or defective equipment before new equipment is issued.
EYE PROTECTION
Approved, suitable safety glasses, goggles or face shields shall be worn when the work being performed may result in dangerous exposures to the eyes.
Eye protection shall be kept in a sanitary and serviceable condition, and shall be replaced when no longer serviceable.
HEAD PROTECTION
Approved hard hat head protection shall be worn whenever working in or visiting areas where there is a possible danger of head injuries.
Supervisors and observers, as well as to employees actually performing the work shall comply with this requirement.
CLOTHING
Loose clothing or jewelry shall not be worn while working around or near moving equipment or machinery.
To prevent skin irritation, avoid wearing clothing soiled by oil or chemicals.
Gloves and long sleeves must be used when handling cement or other hazardous chemicals.
Gloves and long sleeves must be worn to protect against splashes and burns when working with hot asphalt or surfacing oil. Sturdy shoes and heavy trousers with close fitting cuffs or alternate protective clothing may be required as directed by supervision.
Employees shall wear appropriate footwear which provide adequate protection for each given work situation. *(see note below).
SECTION 6 - LADDERS AND SCAFFOLDS
Portable, straight, and extension ladders shall be of the approved industrial grade.
Use a ladder free from defects. Check portable ladders for damage. Report all defects to your supervisor
Aluminum ladders shall not be used when working on or near electrical equipment.
Erect the ladder on secure footing. Make certain the surfaces are level. The top of the ladder shall be secured and the bottom of the ladder blocked.
Ladders shall be set up so that the distance from the base of the support to the foot of the ladder is approximately one-fourth of the length of the ladder.
Portable straight ladders, set to give access to a roof shall be extended beyond the roof edge a minimum of three feet.
Never work higher than the third rung from the top of a straight or step ladder.
Dry hands and feet before climbing.
Face the ladder when climbing up or down. Never hand carry materials or tools while climbing.
Post warnings and have help on the floor when a ladder or scaffolding is near a door or aisle.
Adequate warning signs and barricades shall be provided for overhead work in areas where foot traffic is present.
Do not overreach. Relocate the ladder as necessary.
Scaffolds shall be built to accepted Construction Safety Regulations.
Guardrails and toe boards shall be used on all scaffolds over 10 feet in height.
Movable scaffolding shall be equipped with a minimum of two lockable swivel wheels.
No movable scaffold or ladder shall be moved while persons or material are on it.
Keep scaffold platforms clear of unnecessary material. Do not overload platforms.
SECTION 7 - EXCAVATIONS
Before opening any excavation, check for underground utilities in the area. Locate and protect utilities during the excavation operation.
The walls and faces of all excavations and trenches deeper than four feet, shall be guarded by a shoring system, sloping of the ground, or some other approved method.
Sides of trenches in hard or compact soil, including embankments, must be shored or otherwise supported when the trench is more than four feet in depth and eight feet in length.
Trenches more than four feet deep shall have ladders or steps located so as to require no more than twenty-five feet of lateral travel.
Cross braces or trench jacks shall be placed in true horizontal position, be spaced vertically, and be secured to prevent sliding, or kickouts.
Backfilling and removal of trench supports must progress together from the bottom of the trench. Jacks or braces must be released slowly and, in unstable soil, ropes must be used to pull out the jacks and braces from above after employees have cleared the trench.
In excavations where employees may be required to enter, excavated or other material shall be effectively stored and retained at a minimum of two feet from the edge of the excavation.
Daily safety inspections of all excavations shall be made by a supervisor before additional work begins.
SECTION 8 - BARRICADES
When excavations are made or manhole covers are removed, the work area shall be adequately protected with signs, barricades, cones or warning lights.
For work sites located in heavy traffic areas, a truck with suitable warning signals shall be used as part of the barricade.
Barricades and warning signs must be used to protect work area from traffic.
When assigned duty as a flagman, keep a close watch on approaching traffic. Give clear signals to stop (arm and flag horizontal), and to proceed (motion without flag).
SECTION 9 - HEAVY EQUIPMENT
All equipment must be inspected daily before use. Be sure that all parts, equipment, and accessories are free from defects and are in safe operating condition.
NEVER operate any heavy equipment, without proper instruction and authorization.
No operator shall back up heavy equipment with an obstructed view unless:
The equipment has a reverse signal alarm audible above the surrounding noise level; and
The equipment is backed up only when an observer signals that it is safe to do so.
No employee shall ride in the cargo compartment of any truck or on other equipment unless the equipment is designed for this purpose and authorization is given.
SECTION 10 - CITY VEHICLE OPERATION
Only City employees are permitted to operate City owned equipment.
City employees whose duties require the operation of City automotive equipment shall drive courteously, and shall be governed by all traffic rules, regulations and standards.
All employees who drive City vehicles must have a valid Arkansas driving license, for the type of vehicle they are driving.
Drivers are required to obey all Arkansas driving regulations. Fines or other costs for violations are the responsibility of the employee operating the vehicle.
All persons riding in City vehicles shall wear safety belts.
When leaving City vehicles unattended, remove key and lock all doors.
Always consider proper loading and proper load distribution as factors in safe driving.
When boarding or alighting from City vehicles, watch footing to avoid slipping or falling. Never board or alight a vehicle that it is moving.
Trailers, and trailer mounted machinery shall be hitched to a towing truck with safety chains fastened in addition to the towing hitch.
No person shall ride in or on trailer mounted equipment.
No person shall ride in the back of any pick-up type truck.
Standard "slow moving vehicle" signs shall be displayed on tractors and other slow moving equipment.
Never drive or operate defective equipment.
While fueling, all ignition systems shall be turned off and smoking is not permitted.
Transmitters in vehicles shall be turned off while re-fueling to avoid the possibility of a radio transmitter relay arc.
All vehicle accidents shall be reported immediately to Supervisor, Police, and Fleet Services.
SECTION 11 - VEHICLE MAINTENANCE/REPAIR SHOPS
GENERAL
Wear correct personal protective clothing at all times.
Floors in all shops shall be kept free of grease, oil tools, air hoses and parts.
all spills must be cleaned immediately. Oil and grease spills shall be covered with absorbent material, swept and picked up.
Oily rags and other debris shall be placed in covered metal containers for disposal.
Never keep gasoline or flammable solvents in open containers. Use suitably marked safety cans only.
Prevent skin irritation by washing hands with soap and water or hand solvents. Never use gasoline or other volatile substances for this purpose.
All fire extinguisher stations and electrical control panels shall be accessible at all times. Materials, tools, or other items shall not be allowed to cause an obstruction.
Observe and obey "NO SMOKING" signs at all times.
All electrical tools shall be properly grounded. Only grounded, heavy-duty industrial extension cords may be used.
Safety glasses shall be worn when operating power equipment.
All guards shall be in place before operating any equipment.
Repair shops shall be kept adequately ventilated to protect against exposure to carbon monoxide.
Work benches, lubrication pits and other work areas shall be kept adequately illuminated.
Positive battery cables shall be disconnected prior to commencing work on any electric motor vehicle or forklift.
When over turning the engine is necessary to implement forklift repair, the entire coil wire shall be removed.
BATTERY
Open flames shall be kept away from all battery storage areas.
Metal tools shall not be placed in contact with batteries.
Wear gloves and goggles when handling, checking, filling, charging or installing batteries.
Ensure adequate ventilation when charging batteries.
All battery acid splashes shall be washed from skin and clothes immediately. For battery acid splashes in eyes, rinse eyes in water continuously for a minimum of 15 minutes, and seek medical treatment.
Compressed air shall not be used to blow trash or debris from clothing or equipment.
When working on tires, always consult the manufacturers' manual for the correct demounting and mounting procedures for each type of rim.
To protect against flying lock rings, truck tires shall be placed in a safety cage before inflating.
COMPRESSED CYLINDERS
All compressed gas cylinders shall be stored in an upright position, lashed or chained to prevent falling.
Caps shall be kept on all cylinders when not in use
Soapy water shall be used for testing for acetylene leaks. NEVER test with an open flame.
Flames or sparks shall not be allowed to come in contact with compressed gas cylinders.
Cylinder valve wrenches shall be kept on the valve spindle at all times.
Compressed gases shall not be used without a suitable regulator and flashback arrestor.
The regulator shall not be removed until the cylinder valve is closed and all gas is released from the regulator.
SECTION 12 - FORKLIFT OPERATION
Check forklift instructions for proper method of operation before use.
Mechanical or electrical deficiencies shall be reported to supervision.
Do not spin wheels or make reversal/skidding stops.
Reverse shall not be used as a brake.
Do not ride the clutch
No passengers shall be allowed on forklift trucks.
Do not drive with wet or greasy hands.
Always face in the direction you are traveling.
Drive in reverse if the load impairs forward vision.
Keep feet inside the machine when moving.
Keep to the right when traveling.
Do not follow other vehicles too closely.
Slow down on wet or oily surfaces.
Forklifts shall never be left running unattended.
Slow down and sound horn at intersections.
Forklifts shall not be used as personnel elevator.
Unauthorized persons shall be kept away from the forklift controls.
Forks shall be properly spaced to fit the load.
Forks shall be kept low and under the load
Forks shall be lowered to the ground when parked.
When parking, the shift gear shall be placed in neutral, and the emergency brake set before leaving the seat.
Clean up all spills caused by the forklift.
SECTION 13 - WELDING OPERATIONS
Wear correct personal protection clothing at all times.
Welding hood shall be in place before striking an arc, and at all times while welding.
Shields shall be in place at all times to protect other employees from the rays of the arc.
An appropriate fire extinguisher shall be near the welding operation at all times.
All compressed gas cylinders shall be treated as described in Section 12.
SECTION 14 - ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
Access to circuit breakers, or electrical safety devices must be kept clear at all times.
Junction boxes, control boxes and all electrical enclosures shall be kept closed or adequately guarded.
No flexible cords shall be used as a substitute for fixed wiring of a structure.
Extension cords used with portable equipment tools and appliances shall be the three wire industrial type. Cords shall be used only in continuous lengths without splices.
Worn or frayed extension cords shall not be used.
Exposed bulbs on temporary lights shall be guarded to prevent accidental contact.
Metal ladders shall not be used when making electrical repairs.
Inspect all electric cords prior to use.
Use only industrial grade extension cords.
SECTION 15 - PORTABLE ELECTRIC POWER TOOLS
All power tools shall be grounded and/or double insulated.
Defective portable electric tools shall be reported to supervision and not used until repaired.
Do not use equipment with which you are not familiar.
Shut off any sparking motors or overheating equipment. Report its condition to a supervisor immediately.
SECTION 16 - HAND TOOLS
Hand tools shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed. Always use the correct size and type of tool.
Inspect tools prior to use.
Broken tools, or tools with broken handles, shall not be used. Turn them in for repair or replacement.
Never leave tools where they obstruct traffic.
Do not carry edged or pointed tools in pockets or belts, unless the edge or point is adequately protected.
All long handled tools (shovels, mauls, pitchforks etc.) shall have strong, smooth handles.
Long handled tools shall be stored in racks. Do not lean them against a wall without a toe board.
SECTION 17 - MATERIAL HANDLING AND STORAGE
When lifting heavy objects, keep the back as straight as possible, bend the knees and lift with the leg muscles.
Never attempt to lift objects which are too heavy. Get help or divide the load.
Work gloves shall be worn when handling rough or heavy objects.
Portable cranes, hand trucks, skids, hoists or power lift trucks, shall be used to move heavy objects when possible.
When moving materials on hand trucks or dollies, push rather than pull whenever possible.
Shoes that will provide proper support and protection shall be worn by all employees while handling materials.
When power equipment is being used to maneuver materials, one person in clear view of the operator shall give standard hand signals.
Materials shall be stacked in a neat and orderly manner. Aisles in storage areas shall be clearly marked with painted lines. Materials must be kept clear of aisles at all times.
Do not stack damaged containers.
When handling chemicals, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Locate and read the Material Safety Data Sheet.(MSDS). Wear the correct personal protective equipment.
Chemical spills shall be cleaned up in accordance with the manufacturers instructions on the container or MSDS.
SECTION 18 - POWER MOWERS
Correct personal protective clothing shall be worn at all times.
Read operating instructions carefully. Operators shall be familiar with all controls before operating.
The area to be mowed shall be inspected, and all foreign objects removed prior to starting mowing operations.
Turn off power when going from one level to another.
Slopes or inclines shall be mown across the incline, never up and down.
Do not refuel a hot or running engine.
All body parts shall be kept away from the discharge area while the motor is running.
Machines without adequate guards shall not be operated.
Stand clear when starting motor. Have firm footing and keep hands and feet clear of all moving parts.
Do not overspeed engine, operate it at the slowest speed needed for an effective operation.
Power equipment shall not be left unattended.
SECTION 19 - OFFICE SAFETY
All work areas shall be kept neat and orderly.
Open desk, file or cabinet drawers shall not be left unattended.
Heavier items shall be stored in the bottom of file cabinets to prevent tipping when upper drawers are opened.
All defective equipment and unsafe conditions shall be reported to a supervisor.
Aisles and walkways shall be kept clear at all times.
Electrical extension cord that cross a walkway, shall be properly contained.
All electrical cords including extension cords shall be grounded.
All electrical equipment shall be grounded and/or double insulated.
Extension cords or electrical outlets shall not be overloaded.
Ceiling fans shall be mounted so that they are at least seven feet from the floor.
Floor and wall fans shall be guarded by a wire screen with a mesh opening not to exceed one-half inch square.
Pointed pins shall not be used to fasten papers. Only paper clips, staples or approved fasteners shall be used.
Broken glass or other sharp pointed objects shall not be left in wastebaskets.
Handrails shall be used for ascending or descending stairs.
Ladders or self locking step stools of an approved design shall be used to gain access to high shelves. Never climb on chairs or file cabinets.
SECTION 20 - CUSTODIAL STAFF
Cleaning supplies and tools shall not be left unattended in walkways.
Storage and closet doors shall be kept closed at all times when not in use.
Rope off and post signs for all wet or slippery areas.
When possible, clean floors when traffic is lightest. Wet only a small area and then dry mop. Clean one side of a hallway at a time leaving a dry area clear for traffic.
Wear suitable personal protective equipment for the job.
Read the printed safety instructions carefully on all chemicals used. Read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Clean spills in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
Chemicals shall be stored in the original container or a clearly marked container designed for that purpose. Chemicals stored in an unmarked container shall not be used.
Only heavy duty, industrial type, extension cords in good condition shall be used.
All defective extension cords shall be reported to a supervisor.
All electrical appliances must be grounded and/or double insulated.
Extension cords shall be kept as close to the wall as possible to avoid a tripping hazard.