To assist in providing a safe and healthful work environment for employees, customers, and visitors, Imua Physical Therapy has established a workplace safety program. This program is a top priority for Imua Physical Therapy. The President has responsibility for implementing, administering, monitoring, and evaluating the safety program. Its success depends on the alertness and personal commitment of all.

Imua Physical Therapy provides information to employees about workplace safety and health issues through regular internal communication channels such as supervisor-employee meetings, bulletin board postings, memos, or other written communications.

Employees and supervisors receive periodic workplace safety training. The training covers potential safety and health hazards and safe work practices and procedures to eliminate or minimize hazards.

Some of the best safety improvement ideas come from employees. Those with ideas, concerns, or suggestions for improved safety in the workplace are encouraged to raise them with their supervisor, or with another supervisor or manager, or bring them to the attention of the President. Reports and concerns about workplace safety issues may be made anonymously if the employee wishes. All reports can be made without fear of reprisal.

Each employee is expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all work activities. Employees must immediately report any unsafe condition to the appropriate supervisor. Employees who violate safety standards, who cause hazardous or dangerous situations, or who fail to report or, where appropriate, remedy such situations, may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

General

1. Report all accidents, injuries, and work-related illnesses to your manager immediately.

2. Report all unsafe conditions and equipment to your manager.

3. Comply with the company Drug-Free Workplace policy by not reporting to work under the influence of intoxicating beverages or narcotics.

4. Smoking is prohibited within all facilities.

Safe Work Practices

1. Wear suitable clothing (avoid high heels or jewelry that may catch on things).

2. Always use proper lifting techniques. Never attempt to lift or push/pull an object that is too heavy. You must contact your manager if additional help is needed to move an object.

3. Practice stretching techniques as suitable to your work.

Equipment

1. Do not remove, displace, damage, destroy or carry off any safety device, safeguard, notice or warning.

2. Do not interfere with the use of any method or process adopted for the protection of any one employee, including oneself.

3. Appliances such as coffee pots and microwaves should be kept in working order and inspected for signs of wear, heat or fraying of cords.

4. All electrical machines with heat producing elements must be turned off when not in use.

5. Fans used in work areas should be guarded. Guards must not allow fingers to be inserted through the mesh.

6. Equipment such as scissors, staplers, etc. should be used for their intended purposes only and should not be misused as hammers, pry bars, screwdrivers, etc. Misuse can cause damage to the equipment and possible injury to the user.

7. Sharp instruments such as scissors, knives, and pins must be safely stored. Care should be taken to ensure that all sharp instruments or articles are removed from linens before their disposal.

8. All electrical equipment should be plugged into appropriate wall receptacles or into an extension of only one cord of similar size and capacity. Three-pronged plugs should be used to ensure continuity of ground.

9. Be careful when examining tables, massage tables and chairs are properly secured when assisting patients onto them.

Housekeeping

1. Work areas should be maintained in a neat, orderly manner. Trash and refuse areas are to be thrown in proper waste containers.

2. All spills should be cleaned up promptly, and follow OSHA guidelines for Hazardous Waste and Bloodborne Pathogen clean up.

3. Cleaning supplies should be stored away from edible items on kitchen shelves.

4. Cleaning solvents and flammable liquids should be stored in appropriate containers.

5. Solutions that may be poisonous or not intended for consumption should be kept in well-labeled containers.

Evacuations

1. Means of egress (entrance/exits) shall be kept unblocked, well lighted and unlocked during work hours.

2. In the event of a fire, sound alarm and evacuate.

3. Stairways should be kept clear of items that can be tripped over and all areas under stairways that are egress routes should not be used to store combustibles.

4. Materials and equipment will not be stored against doors or exits, fire ladders or fire extinguisher stations.

5. Aisles must be kept clear at all times.

Hazards

1. Files and supplies should be stored in such a manner as to preclude damage to the supplies or injury to personnel when they are moved. Heaviest items should be stored closest to the floor and lightweight items stored above.

2. All cords running into walk areas must be taped down or inserted through rubber protectors to preclude them from becoming trip hazards.

3. Never stack material precariously on top of file cabinets or other high places.

4. Never leave desk or cabinet drawers open that present a tripping or “struck by” hazard. Use care when opening and closing drawers to avoid pinching fingers.

5. Do not open more than one upper file cabinet drawer at a time, particularly on tall file cabinets.

They become top heavy and can tip over.

6. When carrying material, caution should be exercised in watching for and avoiding obstructions, loose materials, etc.

7. Advise manager immediately of improper illumination and/or ventilation.

Safety Committee

The purpose of the committee is as follows:

*to maintain and monitor a safe, heathy working environment for all employees and patients

*to establish policies and procedures for a safety and heath program that is in compliance with

the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division (HIOSH) and other state, local and federal

regulations.

The responsibility of implementing the company health and safety program is to be shared by all managerial staff, with the overall administration of the program assigned to the President.

2-4 Employees within the company will serve on a Safety Committee to help review, administer, change or develop new policies and procedures.

Committee meetings will occur on a quarterly basis, via conference call.

Each meeting will address at least the following:

*A review of safety and health inspection reports to assist in the correction of identified unsafe conditions or practices

*An evaluation of the accident investigations conducted since the last meeting to determine if the cause of the acts or unsafe condition involved was properly identified and corrected

*An evaluation of the accident prevention program and recommendations for improvement where indicated.

*Suggestions for policy and procedure improvement.

Minutes of the meeting will be kept on file at the Kihei clinic. Copies of the minutes will be distributed to clinics.

In the case of accidents that result in injury, regardless of how insignificant the injury may appear, employees should immediately notify the President or the appropriate supervisor. Such reports are necessary to comply with laws and initiate insurance and workers’ compensation benefits procedures.

Policy No.  501  Issued  10/21/2012  Applicable  1/20/2013