Back to:  Annual Report Main Page | Annual Report Table of Contents | Next section | Home Page | Web-site Table of Contents

XVIII. DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY

Safety Coordinator Jay A. Sasan, a graduate of UH-Manoa, was appointed on May 3, 1993.  Mr. Sasan retired from C. Brewer and Company, Ltd. in April 1989 after 33 years of service.  he served in many capacities at several C. Brewer companies with the two most significant assignments being President and Manager of Mauna Kea Agribusiness and Director of Safety at C. Brewer and Company, Ltd.  During his career at C. Brewer' he was active in a number of local, state, and national organizations and continues his participation.  Mr. Sasan also served in Korea and retired as USAR Colonel in 1990.

ROLE AND DUTIES

The Division of Industrial Safety has as its primary goal the development and implementation of a safe and healthy work environment for all County employees.

To carry out the functions and activities of the Safety Division with a budget of $259,288, there is a staff of six employees, a part-time CVE student. The main focus includes administering all phases of the safety, equipment and driver training and workers' compensation programs.

The department achieved its goal by:

1. Coordinating the County's safety programs and safety related training activities.

2. Developing, updating and implementing safety policies to comply with current laws and safety philosophy.

3. Analyzing and maintaining accident reports, records and other statistical data.

4. Conducting safety inspections and ensuring departmental correction of violations and/or compliance with safety laws and regulations.

5. Recommending and approving purchase of safety-related and personal protective equipment.

6. Monitoring County of Hawaii compliance with state statutes relative to safety.

7. Investigating and processing workers' compensation claims and administering the program.

STAFF

1. Jay A. Sasan, Safety Coordinator

2. Daniel Santos, Safety & Driver Equip. Coordinator

3. J.E. Trulson, Workers' Compensation Claims Specialist

4. Lorna Sue, Workers' Compensation Claims Clerk

5. Lori Mills, Workers' Compensation Claims Clerk

6. Sandra Sakoda, Clerk-Typist

7. Allyson Cortez, CVE Clerk

ACTUAL EXPENDITURES

Salaries & Wages Misc. S/W Other Current Expenses Equipment Maint. of Fire Ext. VDT Eye Examinations Employee Assistance Program Safety Incentive Awards Program

$175,379.94 8,543.85 14,181.68 466.41 2,679.82 10,383.04 22,766.00 17,525.73 $251,926.47

ACTIVITIES

Pre-employment, annual and workers' compensation exams by four County physicians:

l. Ernest Bade, M. D. (Hired Jan. l993) 2. Curtis Lee, M.D. 3. Dr. Alan deSilva (Hired Jan. l993) 4. Dr. James Mitchell, Kona

N/A N/A 059 266

Medical bills processed for workers' compensation 3960

• Developed activities and implemented County of Hawaii Safety Week Program - January 29 - February 2, 1996.

• Recognized two County of Hawaii employees with the longest periods of accident free service, Stanley Iwamoto - Finance and Theodore Wong - Liquor Control.

• Inspection and servicing of fire extinguishers by contractor.

• Semi annual inspection of portable electric tools by P.W.

• Semi annual safety inspection of facilities by all departments.

• Employee Assistance Program by contractor.

• On going: safety film, video, hazard communication and standard first aid and instructor certification courses.

• Coordination of various work shops and seminars to address pesticide safety, confined space entry, permit required confined space program, welding safety, proper lifting, bloodborne pathogens, asbestos determination, respirator safety, hazard communication program, hazardous waste handling, VDT screening, air ventilation checks and EMF readings.

• Serve as the County of Hawaii Lead Agency for the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

Coordinates, plans, develops and implements a comprehensive equipment driver/operator safety improvement, evaluation and industrial safety programs for mechanics, supervisors and operators of automobiles, trucks, construction equipment, tractors, mowers, vans and other motorized equipment.

Activities include auditing of equipment operators, safety inspections, operator instructional training and Commercial Driver License (CDL) training.

This section coordinates the activities of the County's workers' compensation program including limited duty, retention and rehabilitation and placement programs. Workers' compensation reserves are set by the Safety Department. During the fiscal year 1996-97, there were 287 new claims reported, this is an increase of 10% over last fiscal. We closed 206 claims and re-opened 17 cases.

We recovered $112,673.94 through subrogation this fiscal year.

Consolidation: The department continues to make progress on its goal in consolidating the County's workers' compensation claims under the Safety Department by utilizing the Comp 2000 software program. One department remains to be completed.

Safety Incentive Program: Recognizing employees who are not involved in industrial accidents is on-going. The Safety Department receives funding in its annual budget to recognize accident-free employees.

Employee Assistance Program: This service provided by contract through the Child and Family Service. EAP is designed to help employees and their families on a confidential and professional basis. EAP assisted 82 employees and 18 family members. The utilization rate of 4.5% was better than expected which shows that both the employees and the supervisors accept the program.

Alternative Duty Program: This program has as its goal the early return to work of employees injured on the job. The Safety Department with cooperation from the County physicians tailors modified work to fit the requirements and physical capabilities of the injured employees. It has successfully returned to work employees early in their rehabilitation program.

Future Trend and Concerns: Recently, several new OSHA laws have been implemented which are quite complicated because of the technical nature of the subject matter, the number of steps required and the number of people involved to assure compliance. Added to this is the paper work required to document and record activities prior to and after. Among the more recent were: Hazard Communications. MSDS, HAZWOPER Awareness, HMTUSA, and SARA Title III. More recently, Bloodborne Pathogens, Lead and Asbestos Exposure in Construction, Occupational Exposure to Cadmiums, Confined Space Standards, Permit-Required Confined Space Program and changes to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Law have been added. The Safety Department scope of work has been increased to include Public Safety Inspections of County facilities and lead agency for the County of Hawaii Local Emergency Planning Committee. Appointed member to the Hawaii State Emergency Response Commission. The latter two deal with planning to handling of oil and hazardous substances emergencies. Appointed member of HIOSH Advisory Committee. Tight budget constraints continually challenges the department as it strives to achieve its' goals and objectives.

Two new areas where more requirements in training, monitoring, PPE and other costs are needed are in the areas of Ergonomics and Electromagnetic Fields (EMF). Currently, there are no OSHA regulations covering these areas.

The maximum TTD benefit and the medical charges allowed are increased each year by the State. Our levy from the Special Compensation fund was $128,119. This was a decrease of 35% over last fiscal. These are costs that we have no control over.

In the last three years we have reduced the outstanding reserves from $5,002,996 to $4,149,361, (a reduction of 17%) and a slight increase of 1.5% to 4,211,985 from the previous year.

The Safety theme for 1997 is "Safety Begins with Me".

The Safety challenge before us is to accept the fact that accident prevention is a personal matter. The majority of accidents are caused by individuals on themselves due to carelessness, in attention and in some cases lack of training and/or supervision. Accepting our role is the key factor in accident prevention which is the theme of this year's annual safety and health week effort.

Back to:  Annual Report Main Page | Annual Report Table of Contents | Next section | Home Page | Web-site Table of Contents

All contents are copyright of the County of Hawaii ©.