Employee injury is costly in terms of medical attention, disability and individual human loss. Serious injury resulting in time away from work, permanent disability or even death is a function of the interaction of hazardous conditions and unsafe behavior. It is the purpose of the APS Safety Program to identify hazardous conditions and unsafe behaviors, before they result in serious injuries. The program is based a combination of inspection, investigation, communication, and training. The Risk Manager is responsible for the development of an appropriate safety program. Chemical Hazard Communication Program Arlington Public Schools provides employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and material safety data sheets. The Hazard Communication Program informs employees of operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present, and the location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and material safety data sheets. The training program is designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information is available through product labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS). Employees are trained in the following: methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical; physical and health hazards of the chemicals; measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards; personal protective equipment to be used; and the details of the hazard communication program, including an explanation of the labeling system and the material safety data sheet, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information. Reference 29CFR1910.1200 Occupational Safety and Health Administration 40.1-51.1. Code of Virginia Bloodborne Pathogens In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standard 29 CFR1910.1030 entitled Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens as adopted in Virginia state law, the Arlington School Board requires that all school personnel having direct contact Approved - June 20, 2014 Effective - July 1, 2014 Page 1 of 5
with students receive appropriate training in the etiology, prevention, transmission modes, and effects of bloodborne pathogens. This includes hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency viruses or any other infections that are the subject of regulations promulgated by the Safety and Health Codes Board of the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program within the Department of Labor and Industry. All employees with occupational exposure participate in a training program, which must be provided at no cost to the employee and during working hours. Every school principal and program and building manager shall ensure that all school personnel having direct contact with students receive appropriate training. The Plan is separately published and included herein by reference. Reference 22.1-271.3 Code of Virginia; 29CFR1910.1030 Occupational Safety and Health Administration Employee Injury Reporting The Arlington Public Schools participate in a Workers Compensation program managed by Virginia Municipal League (VML) Insurance Services. The service provides medical care for employees injured on the job. (See Personnel section 35 for wage benefits associated with time lost due to an on-the-job injury.) Each employee is entitled to be indemnified for medical expenses incurred as a result of an injury while on the job. APS is responsible for the management of the claim for medical services through the Worker s Compensation Service. Each incident involving an injury to an employee will be reported whether or not medical attention is required. Driver Safety Requirements Arlington Public Schools employees, whose position requires them to drive a School Boardowned vehicle, either as their main function or in conjunction with other functions, shall have a valid driver s license, an acceptable driving record, and shall not be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Any employee who operates a School Board-owned vehicle is subject to the provisions of Policy Implementation Procedure 35-3.1 regarding Substance Abuse Testing for Drivers and shall abide by the policies and the procedures established by the Superintendent or designee to govern the operation of School Board-owned vehicles. Supervisors who have employees whose position requires them to operate a School Board-owned vehicle are responsible for assuring that the driver meets the following requirements before the individual is allowed to operate the vehicle. The following are prerequisite to operating a School Board-owned vehicle: Each driver of a School Board-owned vehicle must have a valid driver's license issued by the state of residency. Approved - June 20, 2014 Effective - July 1, 2014 Page 2 of 5
Each driver will demonstrate a good overall driving record. As necessary, each individual may be required to provide a copy of a driving record, which is to be reviewed by the supervisor prior to assignment. The individual must provide a copy of their driving record every two years. Each driver will submit to and pass a pre-employment alcohol and other drug screening test prior to being authorized to operate a School Board-owned vehicle. Each driver will comply with the following when operating a School Board-owned vehicle: Each driver will inspect the assigned vehicle each day prior to use and report all vehicle defects promptly in writing to the supervisor. Drivers will obey all traffic regulations and observe safe driving practices at all times. Vehicle Accident Reporting An accident is any incident involving contact or evidence of contact between a School Boardowned/leased/rented vehicle (to include trailers and mobile equipment) and a fixed or moving vehicle, object, or person that results in death, bodily injury, or property damage, regardless of severity. The following steps are to be taken in the event of an accident: Drivers are required to report all accidents immediately to their supervisor. The Supervisor will instruct the driver to remain at the scene and call 9-1-1. The Supervisor will contact the Risk Manager and complete/submit the appropriate accident report forms within one business day of the incident. The Risk Manager reports the accident to the insurance company and will file it for review by the Vehicle Accident Review Committee. Only the APS Risk Manager should report accidents to the insurance company or initiate a claims process. Vehicle Accident Review Committee The APS Risk Manager will convene a Vehicle Accident Review Committee (VARC) to monitor the performance of all APS-owned/leased/rented vehicle drivers. The Committee will meet at least quarterly and will require that at least five members be present to establish a quorum. It will be composed of the following personnel: APS Risk Manager, who serves as Chair APS Safety Manager (who will serve as Chair in the Risk Manager s absence) Driver/Safety Trainer, Transportation Services APS Security Coordinator Approved - June 20, 2014 Effective - July 1, 2014 Page 3 of 5
One full-time school bus driver in good standing with 5 years of driving experience with Arlington Public Schools One full time employee in good standing with 5 years of driving experience with Arlington Public Schools from either Food Services or Information Services Representatives from other offices assigned APS-owned/leased/rented vehicles as determined by the Assistant Superintendent, Facilities and Operations If an accident under review involves a VARC member as the driver/operator, that VARC member will recuse him/herself from the review. Further, drivers/operators involved in an accident will not be present during the VARC accident review process. The Vehicle Accident Review Committee (VARC) will perform the following functions: Review vehicle accidents since the last meeting to classify them as "preventable" or "nonpreventable." APS will follow the Virginia Department of Education definition of preventable as stated below. Inform each driver s supervisor, in writing, of the Committee's findings and recommendations for remedial training if determined. Maintain a record of all vehicle accidents, with the Committee's findings as to "preventable" or "non-preventable." Review action(s) taken by supervisors to prevent recurrence of accidents. Address any topics involving the safety of people or vehicles. When determined appropriate, recommend remedial training for any personnel involved in accidents classified by the Committee as preventable. A preventable incident, as defined by the Virginia Department of Education, is one in which any incident or crash involving a School Board-owned/leased or rented vehicle, to include school buses, which results in death, injury, or property damage in which the driver of such vehicle failed to take all reasonable measures to prevent its occurrence. Police action or the issuances of citations/tickets for an incident are not factor(s) in making this determination. A VARC determination of preventable accident is not an admission of liability or fault. Preventable Accident Determination Appeal Process Employees involved in accidents which have been determined by the VARC as preventable may appeal that determination to the VARC within five business days of the involved employee s notification of the VARC determination by their immediate supervisor. Appeals must be submitted to the Office of Risk Management and Safety (ORMS) in writing. Appeals not in writing or not received by ORMS in time will not be considered. All appeals will Approved - June 20, 2014 Effective - July 1, 2014 Page 4 of 5
be determined by an Appeal Panel. Appeals will be heard at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the VARC, if possible, but no later than within two regularly scheduled meetings of the VARC. The Appeal Panel will consist of the following members: Two VARC members One representative from the Office of Risk Management and Safety No member of the Appeal Panel can be the appealing employee or his/her immediate supervisor. Members of the Appeal Panel are not permanently appointed; members will be selected for each convened Appeal Panel. The Appeal Panel will only consider new facts or information not previously considered or available at the time of the initial determination of preventability made by the VARC. The Appeal Panel may uphold or reverse the VARC's determination of preventability. The decision of the Appeal Panel is final. Approved - June 20, 2014 Effective - July 1, 2014 Page 5 of 5