Section 7: General Workplace Safety
7.0 Working Safely
Safety is an important aspect in every job at River Rock Behavioral Health. Your safety is very important to us. Staying safe at work is a partnership between the Company and employees. It is the responsibility of every employee to maintain a healthy and safe work environment. All safety hazards and occupational illnesses or injuries must be reported immediately and affected employees must complete an Employee Report of Injury or Illness form, as feasible under the circumstances.
Failure to follow the Company's health and safety rules can result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
General Safety Precautions, All Employees
All employees are required to observe the following precautions:
Notify your supervisor of any emergency situation as soon as practical to do so, based on your situation.
If you are injured or become sick at work, no matter how slightly, you must inform your supervisor immediately.
The use of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, marijuana, or illegal substances during working hours is not permitted.
Use, adjust, and repair machines and equipment only if you are trained and qualified to do so.
Learn and utilize proper lifting procedures. Get help when lifting or pushing heavy objects.
Know the locations, contents, and proper use of first aid and emergency equipment.
All members of the leadership team are required to foster and maintain a safe and healthy working environment. Employees who have concerns about their working conditions should speak immediately with any member of leadership with whom they feel comfortable. The Company does not permit any retaliation of any kind against employees who report unsafe or unhealthy working conditions. A member of the leadership team should immediately assist employees who report that they are unable to complete an assigned task due to safety concerns or questions.
7.1 Infectious Disease Control
The Company will take proactive steps to protect employees and clients in the event of an infectious disease outbreak. It is the goal of the Company during any such time period to ensure that all essential services are continuously provided to our clients and that employees are safe within the workplace.
The Company is committed to providing information about the nature and spread of infectious diseases including signs and symptoms, as well as required steps to be taken in the event of an illness or outbreak.
In response to an infectious disease outbreak, the Company may need to modify employees’ work schedules or the method by which we deliver services to our clients. Company leaders will communicate with as much notice as feasible if changes in business operating methods are required. Leadership will monitor and coordinate communications around an infectious disease outbreak, as well as create specific protocols to be implemented to promote safety.
We ask all employees to cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases in the workplace. The best strategies include frequent hand washing with warm, soapy water; the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers; covering your mouth and nose whenever you sneeze or cough; wearing face coverings, and the regular cleaning of objects and areas that are frequently used, such as break rooms, door handles, and railings.
7.2 Personal Safety and Security
The personal safety and security of employees are vital aspects to the Company’s safety program. The Company uses a variety of techniques to protect the safety and security of employees while working on-site including locking doors and maintaining proper indoor and outdoor lighting.
Employees should take all necessary precautions to protect themselves while at work and when coming and going from work:
Be alert and aware of your surroundings
Display confidence while walking in and around the office, including in the parking lot
Keep your hands free
Make sure that doors lock as required
Learn how to properly use security systems and alarms
Do not share keys or security codes with family, friends, or anyone not authorized by the Company to have such a code or key
Never be afraid to confirm identity before letting a visitor into the workplace
Trust your instincts; call for help when needed without delay
We recognize that even with taking precautions, safety incidents can occur. Employees are required to report all workplace security and safety concerns or potential concerns to their supervisor immediately.
7.3 No Weapons in the Workplace
In support of employee safety, as well as the safety of vendors, contractors, clients, and the general public; possession, use, or sale of weapons, firearms, or explosives while on-premises, or while engaged in company business off-premises, is forbidden except where expressly authorized by the Company and permitted by state and local laws. This policy applies to all employees, including those who have a valid permit to carry a firearm.
If you are aware of violations or threats of violations of this policy, report such violations or threat(s) of violations to your supervisor or another member of the leadership team immediately. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
7.4 Smoking/Vaping Tobacco in the Workplace
Employees will be allowed scheduled breaks, which can be used for smoking/vaping. Employees are not provided additional breaks for smoking/vaping. Smoking/vaping is only allowed in designated areas, 50-feet or more away from building entrances and exits. Smoking/vaping inside of buildings, offices, and restrooms is prohibited. For the purpose of this workplace health and safety policy smoking/vaping includes, and is not limited to: all kinds of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes and “vapes”.
7.5 Inclement Weather
Inclement weather is to be expected from time to time. Leadership will send out communications regarding inclement weather. Generally, employees are equipped to, and will be required to, telework on days that their physical location is closed due to severe weather.
If extreme weather conditions require Company locations to close and employees cannot telework, employees will be notified by their supervisor or another member of the leadership team as soon as practical considering the circumstances.
7.6 Workplace Emergencies
Employees should notify their supervisor immediately when an emergency occurs. Emergencies include all accidents, fire or security alarms sounding, medical situations, bomb threats, other threats of violence, and the smell of smoke. If an employee is unable to locate their supervisor, they should contact the nearest company official. Should an emergency result in the need to communicate information to employees outside of business hours, a member of leadership will contact employees.
When events warrant an evacuation of the building, employees should follow the instructions of their supervisor or any other member of leadership. Employees should leave the building in a quick and orderly manner. Employees should assemble at the predetermined location as communicated to them by their supervisor to await further instructions or information. Employees who have questions about workplace emergency procedures should contact their supervisor.
7.7 Drug-Free & Alcohol-Free Workplace
The Company has a commitment to provide a safe and productive work environment. Alcohol and substance abuse pose a threat to the health and safety of employees and to the security of our equipment and facilities. For these reasons, the Company is committed to the elimination of substance and alcohol use in the workplace.
This policy outlines the practice and procedure designed to correct instances of identified alcohol and/or substance use in the workplace. This policy applies to all employees and all applicants for employment with the Company.
Employee Assistance and Drug-Free Awareness
Illegal drug use and alcohol misuse have a number of adverse health and safety consequences. The Company will assist and support employees who voluntarily seek help for such problems before becoming subject to discipline and/or termination under this or other policies. Such employees may be allowed to use accrued paid sick leave or vacation, placed on leaves of absence, referred to treatment providers, and otherwise accommodated as required by law. Such employees may be required to document that they are successfully following prescribed treatment and to take and pass follow-up tests if they hold jobs that are safety sensitive, that require driving, or if they have violated this policy previously.
Employees should report to work fit for duty and free of any adverse effects of illegal substances or alcohol. This policy does not prohibit employees from the lawful use and possession of prescribed medications. Employees must, however, consult with their doctors about the medications’ effect on their fitness for duty and ability to work safely. Any work restrictions should be promptly disclosed to their supervisor.
Work Rules
The following work rules apply to all employees:
Whenever employees are working, operating any company vehicle, present on company premises, or are conducting related work off-site, they are prohibited from:
Using, possessing, buying, selling, manufacturing, or dispensing an illegal substance (to include possession of drug paraphernalia).
Being under the influence of alcohol or any mind-altering substance as defined in this policy.
The presence of any detectable amount of any illegal substance or non-prescribed controlled substance in an employee’s body while performing company business or while in a company facility is prohibited.
The Company will not allow any employee to perform their duties while taking prescribed drugs that may adversely affect the employee’s ability to safely and effectively perform their job duties. Employees taking a prescribed medication must carry it in the container labeled by a licensed pharmacist.
Any substances or drug paraphernalia will be turned over to an appropriate law enforcement agency and may result in criminal prosecution.
In Closing
River Rock Behavioral Health has provided these policies as a guide for employees to use in making decisions about workplace conduct, performance and behaviors, as well as to address frequently asked employee questions and concerns.
Updated policies will be provided in writing by the Owner or her designated representative on an as-needed basis in response to changing business needs and conditions. Please keep in mind that Company policies are subject to change with little or no advance notice, although it is always our intention to provide as much notice as possible when policies do change.
Your questions and comments about Company policies are welcome and encouraged. Please direct your questions to your supervisor or any member of the leadership team with whom you feel comfortable for discussion and consideration.
