County of Hawaii 1997 - 1998 Annual Report: 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.

DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY



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 for fiscal year 1997 - 1998 with a budget of $262,907. Fund balance was received for the purchase of computer systems for both the Safety office and the Workers' Compnesation Unit in the amount of $80,800. There is a staff of six employees, a part-time CVE student and a part-time senior employee. The main focus includes administering all phases of the safety, equipment and driver training and workers' compensation programs. The department achieved its goal by: l. 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 l. Jay A. Sasan, Safety Coordinator 2. Daniel Santos, Safety & Driver Equip. Coordinator 3. Michelle Saito, Workers' Compensation Claims Specialist 4. Lorna Sue, Workers' Compensation Claims Clerk 5. Candy Hamini, Workers' Compensation Claims Clerk 6. Sandra Aguiar, Clerk III 7. Allyson Cortez, CVE Clerk 8. Nancy McMackin, Senior Employee ACTUAL EXPENDITURES Salaries & wages $192,004.09 Misc. S/W 1,417.24 Other Current Expenses 17,315.30 Equipment 931.88 Computer Equipment 72,646.51 Computer Maintenance 7,000.00 VDT Eye Examinations 9,310.65 Employee Assistance Program 22,766.00 Safety Incentive Awards Program 15,385.73 with shortage falling in FY 98-99 $338,777.40 ACTIVITIES Pre-employment, annual and workers' compensation exams by four County physicians: l. Ernest Bade, M. D. (Hired Jan. l993) Not Available 2. Curtis Lee, M.D. 294 3. Dr. Alan deSilva (Hired Jan. l993) 51 4. Dr. James Mitchell, Kona 182 Medical bills processed for workers' compensation 12,796 Other Miscellaneous Activities * Developed activities and implemented County of Hawaii Safety Week Program - February 9 - 14, 1998. * Recognized two County of Hawaii employees with the longest periods of accident free service, Stanley Iwamoto - Finance (34 years), Roy Iwasaki - Public Works (32 years) and Merle Egusa - Civil Service (31 years). * 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) Driver/Operator Training Section 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. Workers' Compensation Section 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 1997-98, there were 253 new claims reported, this is a decrease of 12% over last fiscal. We closed 191 claims and re-opened 10 cases. 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 66 employees and 22 family members. The utilization rate of 3.6% 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. These are costs that we have no control over. The theme for 1998's Safety effort is: "Safety - A Personal Responsibility". Most of the accidents incurred by our employees are personal in nature - meaning the accident involved one individual. In most cases the accident is caused by an unsafe act or an unsafe personal factor. The emphasis on this years Safety Program is to focus on these areas as a means of accident prevention. If we all make a personal commitment and emphasize safety as a personal responsibility, we will reduce accidents, injuries, equipment damage and lost time. The Safety Department is emphasizing "Back to Safety Basics" and using "Safety - A Personal Responsibility" as its' overall safety philosophy, as a means of reducing accidents. Important keys to reducing workers' compensation cost are the prevention of accidents and the early return of workers to their jobs.