Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-022 - Res. Adopting a Mason County Commission Employee Pandemic Exposure Plan RESOLUTION NO.)Db-0 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MASON COUNTY COMMISSION EMPLOYEE PANDEMIC EXPOSURE CONTROL, MITIGATION, AND RECOVERY PLAN FOR INCLUSION IN THE MASON COUNTY CODE WHEREAS, the Board of Mason County Commissioners wish to establish guidelines and procedures for Pandemic Exposure Control, Mitigation, and Recovery; and WHEREAS, the Policy was reviewed in briefing and is now ready for adoption; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Mason County Commissioners hereby adopts the Mason County Employee Pandemic Exposure Control, Mitigation and Recovery Plan (Attachment A) and Mason County Employee Pandemic Exposure Control Mitigation and Recovery Procedures (Attachment B) and requests it be added to the Mason County Code. DATED this 111h day of May, 2021. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON ATTEST: Am Rand Neath rlin, Chair McKenzie S ith, derk of the Board APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sharon Trask, Commissioner Tim Whitehead, ief-DOA Kevin S , Commissioner Attachment A MASON COUNTY EMPLOYEE PANDEMIC EXPOSURE CONTROL, MITIGATION, AND RECOVERY POLICY Resolution No. 2021-022 Creation Date: May 11, 2021 I. EMPLOYEE PANDEMIC EXPOSURE CONTROL, MITIGATION, AND RECOVERY POLICY 1. Effective Date: 05/11/2021 2. Review Frequency: As Necessary 3. Policy Owner: DEM / Human Resources II. PURPOSE 1. STATEMENT: Mason County is committed to the safety and health of our employees; accordingly, we strive to maintain a healthy worksite in accordance with state and federal law. Specifically, RCW 49.17.060 which states, "each employer shall furnish to each of their employees a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause serious injury or death to his or her employees and shall comply with the rules, regulations, and order promulgated under this chapter." 2. AUTHORITIES: The Washington State Governor's Office, State Department of Health (DOH), Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), and Local Public Health Authority gives specific guidance to employers and employees when a pandemic is declared. Employers who continue operations under the Federal, State, and/or County Emergency Declaration are required to maintain pandemic prevention practices consistent with Federal, State, and Local Health Authorities guidance. Exposure to a pandemic is recognized as a very serious workplace hazard. 3. SCOPE: Mason County Commissioners deems all government business as essential. We ask you, our employee,to join our efforts by fully participating in the exposure prevention and infection control measures outlined in this policy. The Mason County Employee Pandemic Exposure Control, Mitigation, and Recovery Policy will be maintained by Human Resources. Essential business functions performed by employees at Mason County, per L&I: 1501-00 County- Staff 4907-01 Prison Industries Staff 5306-07 County- Office and Administrative Staff 6901-00 Volunteers 6901-01 Student Volunteer or Unpaid Students 6905-01 County- Law Enforcement Officers 6906-01 County-Volunteer Law Enforcement Officers 7203-00 Community Service Workers Mason County will strive to use telework and technology as a means to reduce the exposure of our workforce, offer staggered shifts where applicable, reduce the number of employees in a certain area if acceptable, and control the types and number of staff members moving around the facilities in order to mitigate potential future exposure. Page 2 of 4 Mason County will not take any adverse action (such as firing, demoting, or retaliating) against any employee who chooses to exercise their safety and health rights, such as raising safety and health concerns to management, participating in union activities concerning safety and health matters,filing a safety and health complaint, or participating in a DOSH investigation. All employees have thirty (30) days to file safety and health complaints with L&I, DOSH, and/or with Federal OSHA. 4. RESPONSIBLE PARTIES: All Mason County Employees, Department Heads, and Elected Officials are responsible to manage, monitor, and maintain adherence to this policy as the County moves forward in managing and mitigating pandemic recovery. III. POLICY 1. SAFETY OFFICERS Mason County designates each department's Safety Officer as the Pandemic Site Supervisor at each of its facilities. The name and contact information of the Safety Officer is available on the county website. The Safety Officer will educate their department's employees on the importance of using the self-regulation and will report to an employee's supervisor if they appear to be ill in order to mitigate exposure to other employees. 2. SELF-REGULATION The Federal, State, and/or Local Health authorities will define the common symptoms of the pandemic, such as; fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, or any other symptomatic conditions, which will be available online to elected officials, directors, managers, supervisors, and employees. However, keeping in mind that other symptoms or no symptoms at all may occur by a small percentage of people. 3. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) Mason County will provide all employees with needed personal protective equipment (PPE) such as, but not limited to; facemasks, nitrile/vinyl gloves, eye protection, hand sanitizer, and cleaning solutions. Masks, in accordance with the Washington Department of Health guidelines or as required by the Washington Department of Labor& Industries'safety rules, must always be worn by every employee on the property or premises, unless they are working alone. This policy includes required social distancing as a safety prevention measure. Required social distancing is a specific measurement of separation between employees must be maintained at all times. Only infrequent passing within the required social distancing is allowed by employees who are not wearing respiratory protection. Gatherings of any size must be managed by staggering work schedules and taking breaks/lunch in shifts. Anytime two or more persons must meet, ensure a required social distancing of separation. 4. SANITATION & HYGIENE Mason County employees will follow the Federal, State, DOH, DOSH, or Local Health Authority guidance for sanitation and personal hygiene found on the county website. Page 3 of 4 5. SAFETY TRAINING During a pandemic all employees are required to actively participate in a safety training meeting. Important information and reminders from the CDC, Washington State Department of Health, DOSH, Local Health Department, and other governing agencies will be posted at each Mason County jobsite for employees to review regularly. 6. INCIDENT REPORTING Employees are required to seek medical attention and inform Human Resources if they or a member of their household has a suspected or confirmed pandemic related illnesses. 7. ATTENDANCE Employees who do not believe it is safe to work may remove themselves from the office and immediately notify management. If an employee does not feel comfortable working, they will not be terminated or retaliated against for their decision to stay home and stay healthy. They will however be required to take appropriate leave. Paid Administrative Leave pay will not be authorized for any such leave, unless approved for all employees by the Board of County Commissioners. 8. POST-EXPOSURE RECOVERY PLAN Generally, workers who have been exposed will be asked to self-quarantine; however, the Federal, State, or Local Health authorities (CDC, DOH, DOSH, or MCPH) may update guidance allowing Mason County employees to return to work to ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, specifics can be found on the county website. For questions or concerns regarding this Pandemic Exposure Control, Mitigation, and Recovery Policy, please contact Mason County Human Resources or the department Safety Officer. Employee Acknowledgement I, (Employee Name), hereby acknowledge that I have read the Mason County Pandemic Exposure Control, Mitigation, and Recovery Policy. I understand that it describes the conduct and behavior expected of me as an employee of Mason County. Further, I understand that if I violate the described policies and procedures, disciplinary action may be taken against me and/or I may be sent home for the day and/or I may be terminated for cause because ensuring the health and safety of others is Mason County's first priority. Employee Signature Date Page 4 of 4