S.20 Safety Policy.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)

SALT LAKE CITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Salt Lake City, Utah

MEMORANDUM 00S.20 April 4, 2019

SAFETY POLICY

1. PURPOSE:

VA Salt Lake City Health Care System (VASLCHCS) is committed to assessing the impacts of its services on the safety of our employees, customers and community.

Objectives and targets will be established to effectively control high-risk elements of our business.

2. POLICY:

VASLCHCS is committed to achieving the following items through execution of our Safety Management System (SMS). VASLCHCS values the safety of our employees through engagement and proactive identification and elimination of hazards. Our employees are the most valuable part of the VASLCHCS.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. The Director is responsible for ensuring that the SMS is supported to assure the safety of employees, customers and the community.

b. Each Service Chief and all supervisors will ensure that their employees are educated with regard to the SMS.

c. Each Service Chief and supervisor has the responsibility for ensuring that the SMS is used by their employees continuously improve the mitigation of safety risks.

d. The Safety Manager has the responsibility to implement the SMS.

4. PROCEDURES:

a. Comply with all federal, state, and local safety regulations including VHA Handbook 7701, Comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Program..

b. Assign SMS responsibilities in all areas of the Healthcare System and ensure that employees are trained in their individual responsibilities

c. Identify, assess and prioritize risks to the safety of our employees, customers and community that result from our business operations.

MEMORANDUM 00S.20

d. Implement, review and improve procedures to minimize potential safety and health risks.

e. Periodically review objectives and targets against established goals.

f. Maintain regular communication with our employees and customers.

g. Evaluate and/revise elements of our SMS to achieve continuous improvement.

5. REFERENCES:

Safety/Fire Manual, Center Policy Memorandum 00S.21, "Safety, Occupational Health and Fire Protection Program", most recent revision.

VHA Handbook 7701: Comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Program, May 5, 2017.

6. RESCISSION: Replaces policy 00Q.81

7. RECERTIFICATION DATE: This policy is scheduled for recertification on or before the last work day of April 2022.

8. FOLLOW-UP RESPONSIBILITY: Occupational Safety and Health Manager

/s//

SHELLA STOVALL, MHA, RN

Director