Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County

I.  Scope and Purpose

This Policy Statement defines the philosophy by which the Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County incorporates, into the daily operation of the facility, safety and health considerations which provide a safe, healthful working environment for all individuals working in the facility.  Safety and health is considered an additive responsibility.  Each member of management as well as all other staff members is 100 percent responsible for all safety and health activity for all functional levels within their given job assignment.

II. Objectives

The objective of this policy is to prevent accidents and work-related illnesses and the losses caused by injury and illness to staff members and trainees and/or damage to plant facilities or equipment.

III. Policy

The Progressive Workshop’s intention is to continually strive to achieve the highest standards of safety and health in the operation of our business.

IV. Guiding Principles

Our guiding principles and fundamental beliefs are:

• All injuries can be prevented.
• Management is responsible for preventing injuries.
• Working safely is a condition of employment.
• All exposures can be safeguarded.
• Safety training is essential.
• Prevention of injuries is good business.

V. Building Blocks for Managing Safety

The building blocks of our safety approach are as follows:

• Strong visible management commitment;
• Goals and plans;
• Accountability.

VI. Safety committee involvement

• Supportive Guidance from the Workshop Board and medical advisor;
• Prompt and thorough incident investigation;
• Rules and procedures enforced;
• Training;
• Communication;
• Motivation;
• Auditing.

VII. Responsibilities

• Management
  • Safety and Health responsibilities are vested in Workshop management.
  • Management is responsible for establishing safety goals for appropriate organizational levels and for communicating such goals to all employees.
  • Management shall conduct safety and health audits to foster staff participation in and adherence to safety and health programs and requirement and shall initiate and complete corrective action where required.
  • Management is responsible for developing safety procedures and shall provide employees proper training in safe work practices, and known potential workplace hazards. 
  • Management is responsible for correcting known workplace conditions and known staff and trainee actions which are unsafe.
  • Management is responsible for maintaining acceptable working conditions within the facilities.
• Staff Members
  • All staff members are responsible for knowing and following the safety and health rules and safe job procedures applicable to their assignments.
  • Each staff member is responsible for using sound judgment on each assignment and for maintaining an awareness of potential awareness of potential hazards to himself/herself or co-workers before taking actions.
  • All staff members shall be responsible for reporting to their supervisor any conditions that they believe to be unsafe.
  • All staff members shall immediately report all injuries, both for staff members and trainees, as dictated by MH/MR HCSIS guidelines or as otherwise necessary and obtain medical attention for all injuries as appropriate.
  • It is the responsibility of each staff member to integrate safety and health considerations into all aspects of work being performed, both by the staff members and the client trainees.
  • All staff members are, at all times, responsible for wearing personal protective equipment and/or using safety equipment as required for the job assignment.
• Client Trainees
  • The Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County, being a rehabilitation facility, all management and staff members shall continually encourage safe practices to the client trainees.

The Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County, as of January 1, 2002 falls within the OSHA standards under SIC code 8339.  It is our goal to comply with these standards and any federal, state or local regulations that apply to this workshop.  The safety and health of our employees and client trainees is our goal.