This section contains general safety rules applicable to all employees. They are general in nature and not intended to be inclusive. Specific Rules pertaining to an operation, location, and or procedure may also apply. Employees will be advised by their supervisor. The absence of a rule to cover a particular condition or situation does not relieve an employee of the responsibility of following proper safety practice at all times. All employees are expected to know the rules herein and to comply with them as applicable.

Safety Responsibilities

• McBride is committed to providing employees with a safe work environment. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that best safety practices are followed. It is managements responsibility to interpret and enforce the rules contained in this policy and it is the employee’s responsibility to comply with them. McBride requests your cooperation in our efforts to make every employee familiar with all safety and operating guidelines. It is our goal to prevent injuries and provide employees with a safe working environment. In the interest of enforcing a safe working environment, Management is committed to enforce all safety rules and implement disciplinary measures as required.

• To minimize the likelihood of you becoming subject to disciplinary action, please follow the guidelines outlined in this policy and in the event something is unclear ask your supervisor for clarification or training. Failure to comply with safety policies may result in the following actions:

  • A verbal warning and written documentation placed in the employee’s file.

  • A written warning

  • Suspension, without pay

  • Termination

Introduction

To New Employees

• We welcome you as a member of our organization.

• As you begin your employment with McBride Land Services, we want to emphasize that your health and safety is a key concern of management and your fellow employee’s. Injury prevention is the responsibility of everyone. You are required to become thoroughly knowledgeable with and observe all safety practices. Your cooperation in accident prevention will mean that your employment with us will be safe and profitable. If you feel that a situation is unsafe, speak to your supervisor before undertaking the task, McBride is committed to providing employees with a safe working environment.

To all Employees

• Safety is the responsibility of every employee

• Your are required to know and understand the general safety rules states herein and the specific safety rules pertaining to your department or job.

• Unsafe work practices will not be tolerated and must be addressed immediately. Safety can only be accomplished with the complete cooperation of all employees. Please consult with your supervisor if you see an unsafe act being performed.

• Given the nature of our activities, some work assignments require special personal protective equipment (PPE). Ask your supervisor what safety equipment and measures are necessary for your assignment.

• Be aware of the safety of residents, visitors, contractors and employees. They may not be familiar with the operations. Contractors and visitors must comply with all company rules and regulations.

• Good housekeeping reflects your interest in your surroundings. You are responsible for your immediate area and each employee is responsible for sharing in the cleanliness of the community areas, such as lunchrooms and restrooms. Thanks for your cooperation in keeping COB a safe place to work.

Substance Abuse Policy

• McBride’s goal is to provide employee’s a safe and healthy work environment. The use, possession, sale, purchase or to be under the influence of drugs by an employee at any time on company premises or on company business is prohibited.

• The term drug includes alcoholic beverages as well as inhalants and illegal drugs, but it does not include prescription drugs. Please notify your supervisor if you are taking a prescription or over the counter medication that may impair your ability to safely perform your duties.

Driving Your Own or Company Vehicles

• You are expected to observe all traffic rules and normal courtesies of the road.

• McBride employees who drive on behalf of the Company must have a valid driver’s license issues in the state of employment and personal auto insurance if driving your own vehicle on company business.

• If an employee has a valid driver’s license from another state, the employee will be given 30 days to obtain a license from the states in which they are employed.

Reporting & Record Keeping

• You are required to report any condition or method of working in your department which looks dangerous to your supervisor immediately.

• If you observe conditions of great or unusual hazard with which you are not familiar, obtain proper instructions from your supervisor before you proceed. Under no circumstances should you take unnecessary risks.

• Accidents may occur at your property and may involve employees, residents or visitors. The Community Manager is responsible for ensuring records and reports are filed for all accidents.

• Accidents are to be investigated. The primary function of the investigation is to identify the precise cause of the accident; therefore the investigation must be conducted carefully, completely and accurately. The information obtained will be used to formulate recommendations for modifying or eliminating those actions or conditions which resulted in the accident. Please report all accidents to operations manager within 24 hours of the occurrence.

OSHA Requirements

• OSHA requires a record for all employee accidents to be maintained. The Crew Lead is responsible for completing the OSHA 301 form for all work-related injuries. If you need assistance completing the OSHA 301 form, please contact your operations manager.

• OSHA requires that a summary of all workplace incidents are posted on site each year. The OSHA form 300-A summary of all claims must be posted each year before February 1 st and left in place until March 1st. If no injuries occurred during the year, the summary must be posted showing, “NONE”. All columns must be totaled, and the Operations Manager must sign the log verifying the information is true and accurate.

• OSHA 301 and 300-A forms must be retained for five years. Please note the information from the OSHA 301 is private and confidential and must be kept in a secure area.

Reporting of Injuries & Illness

• If you feel ill or if you believe that someone working with you is ill, inform your supervisor immediately. You are responsible for reporting work-incurred injury on the day it happens or on the first day you are aware that you have been injured.

• Immediately report all injuries to your supervisor no matter how slight the injury may be, prompt medical treatment will be provided. The Workers’ compensation Loss form should be used to report the injury (for cases where more than first aid has been administered). Exhibit I.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

What to wear while working

• You are expected to wear appropriate clothing for your job. If in doubt, ask your supervisor what the appropriate PPE for the task at hand is.

• Gloves should be worn when handling materials that expose the hands to injury. Do not wear loose or ragged clothing or neckties around moving machinery. Finger rings, wrist watches or other jewelry should not be worn around moving machinery, electrical connections or when handling materials. Substantial footwear is required where the hazard of foot injury exists. Sandals, tennis shoes, cloth sport shoes, etc. are not acceptable footwear.

• Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (“MSDS”) when handling materials that you are not familiar with. MSDS will outline the required personal protective equipment and procedures for handling materials (Section 7/8).

• Hard hats are required to be worn in all areas with overhead exposures, such as, when trimming or removing trees.

Eye Protection

• The use of eye protection is required when performing or assisting in any operation where there is danger of injury to the eyes.

• Approved eye protection (clear lens safety glasses with side shields, goggles, or face shields) is mandatory where posted. When in doubt, ask your supervisor about required eye protection.

• Never attempt to remove any foreign body from your eyes or the eyes of another employee. The affected employee must report to his or her supervisor immediately so that the appropriate medical treatment can be sought.

Respirator Protection

• Dust masks are available for use for protection from non-toxic dust only. Whenever the breathing air is contaminated with toxic vapors, a chemical cartridge respirator or self-contained breathing apparatus must be used.

• You must complete a special medical exam and be trained prior to the use of any respiratory protective equipment, expect for the use of dust masks.

• Equipment should not be shared among employees as the equipment is fitted to the individual. You are expected to maintain equipment in a sanitary condition and store properly when not in use.

Hearing Protection

• If your job exposes you to noise that you consider excessive or uncomfortable, ask your supervisor for hearing protective equipment. Even if the noise level is not considered harmful and protective equipment is not required, it will be made available to you upon request. Where hearing protection is required, it will be provided, and you will be instructed in it’s use. It is your responsibility to use it properly and to exercise due care to keep it in an efficient and sanitary condition.

Hazard Communication Program

• Your job may require you to use materials that you are not familiar with. You may not be familiar with the appropriate protective measures required for handling these materials. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are required for all chemicals used at your site. MSDS forms will note what personal protective equipment is required when handling material (Section 8), why the material is a hazard (Sections 1 & 2), and what measures should be taken when handling the material (Section 7). These instructions should be followed, and all materials should be properly labeled to warn the user of any hazards the chemical may present. As long as the product is in its original supplier-labeled container no additional labelling is required. However, a workplace label is required under the following circumstances;

  • Where the product is transferred from the original supplier-labelled container into another container.

  • Where the supplier label has become illegible or has been removed.

  • Where a controlled product is produced in the workplace.

Lifting & Material Handling

• Approximately 30% of on-the-job injuries are back injuries. Most of these injuries could be avoided through proper planning and the use of proper lifting techniques.

Planning

• Have the material delivered as close the point of use as possible

• Store lighter materials on higher shelves and heavier materials at the lowest possible level. • Ask for assistance if the load is too heavy to lift on your own.

Lifting

• Never attempt to lift heavy or bulky items by yourself

• Use proper lifting techniques.

• Bend at your knees and lift with your legs.

• Grasp the load firmly and keep it close to your body.

• Avoid unnecessary twisting by turning your feet and not your hips and shoulders. iv. Do not twist and bend at the same time.

Industrial Ladders & Scaffolds

Ladder Safety

• Never use a damaged or defective ladder. All portable ladders must be equipped with safety feet, metal spikes or spurs. If the ladder cannot be made stable as equipped, the bottom of the ladders must be held, tied, or securely anchored to prevent slipping.

• Metal Ladders are conductive and must not be used around electrical circuits or in places where they may encounter such circuits.

• Use ladders properly. Hold on with both hands when going up or down. Always face the ladder when ascending or descending. Do not climb higher than the third rung from the top on a straight or extension ladder or the second tread from the top on step ladders.

• Never use makeshift or defective scaffolds. Please refer to OSHA standard 1910.28 for safety requirements when scaffolding.

• Hazardous materials: If your job requires you to use hazardous materials (chemicals, cleaning products, insecticides, etc.) contact your supervisor for a briefing on the specific safety requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE). Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are available for review for all hazardous materials on site.

Securing Hazardous work areas

• Within our company there are two types of hazardous work areas we need to have secured to prevent accidents and injuries. They are either permanent or temporary work areas. Both types need to be secured, examples noted below

Permanent (Signs & Precautions)

Pool Pump Rooms

• Authorized Personnel Only

• Hazardous Materials

• No Smoking

• Lock Facility (Unless authorized persons working in area.

• Lock all Gates

Workshops

• Authorized Personnel Only

• Hazardous Materials

• No Smoking

• Lock Facility (Unless authorized persons working in area.

Chemical Storage Facilities

• Authorized Personnel Only

• Hazardous Materials

• No Smoking

• Lock Facility (Unless authorized persons working in area

Permanent RV Storage Areas

• Authorized Personnel Only

• No Smoking

• Lock All Facilities

• Lock all Gates

Temporary (Signs & Precautions)

Any area under repair or construction

• Authorized Personnel Only

• No Smoking -Secure accordingly

• Consider temporary fencing

Storage

Compressed Gas Uses

• Used compressed gasses only for the jobs for which they are intended, improper use of compressed gases may result in injury and death. Please refer to OSHA standard 1910.101 for a complete list of procedures for use of compressed gas.

• Replace all caps on oxygen and other compressed gas cylinders after the gauges have been removed. This includes the full and empty cylinders. This will protect the valve from being damaged and may prevent a serious accident which could occur as a result of a broken valve.

• When you store materials make sure to arrange it so that it does not fall. Access must be maintained to emergency devices such as fire extinguishers, stretchers, control valves or electrical switch boxes. Doors, exits and aisles must not be blocked.

• A minimum of 18 inches of clearance must be maintained between top of storage and the ceiling sprinkler system.

Fire Prevention

Precautions

• Handle flammable materials with caution

• Store flammable liquid in approved containers or storage cabinets

• Rags or waste paper which are saturated with grease, oil, or gas must be placed in a covered metal container.

• Smoke only in designated smoking areas and never pour flammable liquids down a drain.

• Know where the fire extinguishers are located.

• Seek training on how to use fire extinguishers.

In the Event of a Fire

• Report fires immediately by activating the alarm system

• If there is no alarm system in your area, move to a safe area and call (911) and notify your supervisor.

• After a fire extinguisher has been used, place the extinguisher in the designated refill station for servicing.

• If fire hoses are utilized, they must be completely taken off their reels before the water is turned on.

Electrical Safety

When working with electricity, directly or indirectly, follow these guidelines:

• Treat all electrical circuits as live. Do not attempt to repair or adjust any electrical equipment unless this is part of your regular job. Inform your supervisor in case of a problem or if you do not feel comfortable executing the task.

• Do not disconnect or break ground wires leading from any electrical fixtures or equipment.

• Ground all portable electric hand tools by using a three-prong plug unless the tools are the double insulated type, UL listed.

• Check all extension cords for broken insulation. Keep extension cords in good repair. Dispose of any frayed or old equipment.

• Do not use metal ladders near electrical installations or when working on electrical equipment.

• Check droplights before use. Make sure there are no breaks in the insulation; ascertain that the are properly grounded and that the plug, socket, and lamp guard are in good condition.

• Ensure that electrical testing and repair equipment are in good operating condition.

• De-Energize all circuits before working on lines. Under certain conditions, low voltages can kill.

• Lock out and tag out circuits when repairs are being made.

• Ensure that there are no exposed wires, switches, junction boxes, or control panels.

• All vacant lots should have electrical service disconnected. Panel access should be properly secured.

• Use ground fault circuit interrupters when working in wet and damp locations.

• Avoid using extension cords if not needed or overloading circuits.

• Do no allow the use of undersized breakers. Panels should fully accommodate home and air condition unit.

• Use a qualified, licensed and insured electrician for all electrical repairs.

Emergency Response

• In the event of an emergency, move to a safe area, call (911) and notify your supervisor

Smoking on Company Premises

• Smoking is strictly prohibited in company buildings, company vehicles or around toxic and flammable materials. Smoking is permitted only at designated smoking areas. Ask your supervisor if you are not aware of these smoking area locations.

Lock-Out/ Tag-Out Procedures

• Lockout is the main method used to isolate plant and equipment from its power source and involved locking the energy source switch to an inoperable position.

• You are responsible for locking out and tagging every piece of equipment you work on that has an energy source. The lock out procedure protects you and all other employees from potential injury due to start up or movement while the equipment is out of service.

• Locks or tags should not be removed by anyone except the person who placed them there. Locks or tags should never be removed until the individual in charge of the work has determined it is safe to begin operation.

• Lock out and tag out training will be provided for employees who are unfamiliar with the procedures.

• Your supervisor has the responsibility for making certain you are instructed in this procedure and to take appropriate action if this procedure is violated. Any employee who violates the lockout procedure is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Office Safety

Safety in the office is important and can prevent injury. Potential safety problems can be eliminated by following good office-safety practices:

• Keep office areas neat and free from clutter or debris

• Passageways and walkways should be kept clear of trip hazards such as wastebaskets, storage boxes, electric and telephone chords, open drawers and personal items.

• Never us a chair in place of a stepladder.

• Never fill the top drawers of a filing cabinet prior to filling the lower drawers.

• Never open more than one drawer at a time on a filing cabinet.

• Close filing cabinets and desk drawers when you are finished with them.

• Obtain assistance when moving office equipment or furniture and follow safe lifting techniques.

• Do not use defective or frayed electrical chords for office equipment or overload electrical outlets.

• Never repair or clean office machines without unplugging the equipment first.

• Ensure appropriate storage is used for work materials

Thank you!

Proceed to Section 3