Objective:
The health and safety of Library staff, volunteers and patrons is very important. The Plainfield Public Libraries are members of Plainfield's Joint Loss Safety Committee. All staff shall make safety and the safety of their co-workers and patrons a priority. Staff shall conduct their daily tasks in a manner that is consistent with the philosophy and objectives of this policy. The policy is designed to comply with the standards of OSHA to endeavor to maintain a safe and injury-free workplace. A copy of OSHA Safety and Health Standard 1910 shall be available for staff use and reference. Enforcement of the Safety Policy is the responsibility of the Library Director.
Compliance:
Compliance with the Safety Policy is required of all staff and applies to volunteers. Primary responsibility for enforcement of this policy is given to the Library Director. The Director shall:
1. Provide Reasonable safe guards for all staff, volunteers, and patrons.
2. Conduct health and safety inspections to help identify and eliminate unsafe working conditions or practices, to control health hazards and to comply fully with Safety and Health Standards.
3. Make staff aware of health and safety practices.
4. Develop, update, and enforce health and safety rules.
5. Require that all staff and volunteers cooperate with these regulations.
6. Investigate promptly and thoroughly, accidents or incidents to determine the cause and act to prevent any recurrence.
7. Regularly evaluate all areas of safety and make recommendations to the Trustees.
Staff and Volunteers shall:
1. Report all unsafe conditions and practices immediately to the Library Director.
2. Use common sense and care to prevent injury to themselves and others.
3. Keep aisles and exits clear at all times.
4. Immediately report any incidents or injuries to the Director.
5. Be aware of the location of the first aid kit.
6. Be aware of the location of the fire extinguishers.
7. Use caution on icy walkways. Sprinkle de-icer on steps.
8. Staff working in the library after closing hours shall lock exterior doors.
9. Nothing can be stored in the furnace room per Plainfield Safety Committee.
10. Staff will keep their work areas clean and hazard-free.
Incident Reports:
Incident reports must be filled out in all cases when it was necessary to call for outside help and in other situations in which the administration and staff should be informed because of possible repercussions. All incident reports will be reported to the Director. A log of incident reports, patrons banned and problem patrons will be available for staff and police to review in case of repeat offenders. An incident report must include the following information:
1. How the injury occurred.
2. What was happening when the injury occurred.
3. Who else was present at the time of the injury.
4. When and where the injury happened.
5. Other pertinent information in aid of investigating the incident.
Emergency Response Procedures:
In case of an emergency, dial 911. First aid supplies will be available.