PUERTO RICO STATE GUARD (PRSG) NATIONAL GUARD

POINT OF DISTRIBUTION(POD) AND REGIONAL STAGING AREA (RSA)

SAFETY RULES

APPLICABLE STANDARD: N/A EMPLOYEES AFFECTED: All

WHAT IS IT?

Safety rules outline the expected “do’s and don’ts” regarding safety within the operation.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Establishing safety rules within the organization is one of the most fundamental steps the RSA can take
when developing a safety program. Safety rules set expectations for all soldiers, from the manager to the
next employee hired. Without documented safety rules, it becomes impossible to consistently enforce
RSA instructions and ensure every employee is treated fairly.

WHAT IS REQUIRED?

ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLY WITH ALL SAFETY RULES AND ACT PRUDENTLY AND WITH COMMON
SENSE ON THE JOB SITE!

When a worker is first employed, she shall be given a copy of this Safety & Health Guide and instructed to
read these documents. The new employee will then sign an acknowledgment that she has received, read
and understands these requirements.

Upon hire, an effort will be made to assess the extent of the new employee's experience in the work for
which she has been hired. All employees will be given instructions regarding the hazards and safety
precautions applicable to the type of work in which she will be involved.

Develop a list of safety rules that outline safe and unsafe working behaviors for all soldiers. Introduce the
safety rules to all soldiers, including the management team. Once the safety rules are known by all
soldiers, enforce them consistently across the entire RSA. Review the safety rules on a periodic basis to
ensure they are still relevant within your operation.

DO NOT EXPOSE YOURSELF TO THE HAZARDOUS CONDITION!!

If the hazard is one that you have not had experience or have not received training on, immediately notify
your immediate supervisor or manager so that corrective action may be taken as quickly as possible and
the proper governmental authorities may be notified if required. After a hazard has been corrected the
method of correction must be documented on the safety inspection checklist for that week.

SUPERVISION

The POD/RSA Management is responsible for ensuring that all employees understand and comply with
the safety rules.

Employees assigned a task which may expose them to the possibility of a foreseeable hazard shall not be
allowed to proceed without instruction and responsible supervision.

First line supervision must know the capability of subordinates and ensure that work assignments are
given only to employees who have been instructed in the work situation being performed, including the
 PUERTO RICO STATE GUARD (PRSG) NATIONAL GUARD
POINT OF DISTRIBUTION(POD) AND REGIONAL STAGING AREA (RSA)

hazards associated with that job. All levels of management and supervision must understand and enforce
company rules regarding safety and safe work practices. The POD/RSA manager is responsible for
enforcement the discipline program, as otherwise described herein. To ensure that we have safe work
sites, we must have enforcement of our safety requirements. If a violation of OSHA, local regulations or a
safety rule occurs that could result in a serious injury or death, an investigation will be conducted to
determine at least the following information:

I. If the responsible person or persons (manager or supervisor) knew the safety regulations and proceeded
with the work in violation of the regulations.

2. If the employee exposed to an unsafe or potentially unsafe condition knew of this fact and proceeded
to work in violation of this fact and/or in violation of safety regulations, notwithstanding such knowledge.

Other responsibilities of supervision include the duty to make frequent safety inspections of the job site
and to be constantly on the alert to prevent or correct any unsafe or hazardous conditions within the
project area.

When the POD/RSA manager make scheduled or unscheduled safety inspections of a project area they
shall submit a written report of that inspection to the Safety Officer.

POD/RSA managers may be legally liable for serious or fatal accidents when safety orders and accepted
safe practices are not followed. Both criminal and civil liability is possible.

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Start with a list of safe behaviors that you want to see within your RSA and a list of unsafe behaviors that
you don’t want to see. Your list of rules will grow over time as you develop safe working procedures for
each process. Most lists of safety rules address the following required actions:

• use of personal protective equipment

• use of proper clothing

• use of lockout/tagout before servicing or entering equipment

• reporting of injuries.

Prohibitions against unsafe behaviors typically include these:

• no removing machine guards without authorization

• no riding of conveyor systems

• no unauthorized use of equipment

• no fighting or horseplay.

Appendix A presents a sample set of safety rules. Once your list is complete, share it with employees.
Once the rules are in place, the toughest challenge begins: enforcing them. Rules that are not consistently
enforced are not rules at all.
 PUERTO RICO STATE GUARD (PRSG) NATIONAL GUARD
POINT OF DISTRIBUTION(POD) AND REGIONAL STAGING AREA (RSA)

To effectively enforce work rules, please refer to the “Progressive Discipline” module. As part of good
safety management, the list of safety rules should be reviewed regularly to make sure that they are still
relevant within the RSA.

APPENDIX A: Sample List of Safety Rules

[Point Of Distribution (POD) and for Regional Staging Area(RSA)] SAFETY RULES

Your safety is the constant concern of this POD/RSA. Every precaution has been taken to provide a safe
workplace. [Name or title of the person in charge of safety] makes regular inspections and holds regular
safety meetings.

[He or she] also meets with management to plan and implement further improvements in our safety
program. Common sense and personal interest in safety are still the greatest guarantees of your safety at
work, on the road, and at home.

We take your safety seriously, and any willful or habitual violation of safety rules will be considered cause
for dismissal. [POD/RSA] is sincerely concerned for the health and well-being of each member of the team.
The cooperation of every soldier is necessary to make this POD/RSA a safe place in which to work.

Help yourself and others by reporting unsafe conditions or hazards immediately to your manager or to a
member of the safety committee. Give earnest consideration to the rules of safety presented to you by
poster signs, discussions with your POD/RSA manager, begin right by always thinking of safety as you
perform your job, or as you learn a new one.

Accident reporting Any injury at work—no matter how small—must be reported immediately to your
POD/RSA manager and receive first aid attention. Serious conditions often arise from small injuries if they
are not cared for at once.

Specific safety rules and guidelines to ensure your safety, and that of your co-workers, please observe
and obey the following rules and guidelines:

• Observe and practice the safety procedures established for the job.

• In case of sickness or injury, no matter how slight, report at once to your supervisor or manager. In no
case should an employee treat his own or someone else’s injuries or attempt to remove foreign particles
from the eye.

• In case of injury resulting in possible fracture to legs, back, or neck, or any accident resulting in an
unconscious condition, or a severe head injury, the employee is not to be moved until medical attention
has been given by authorized personnel.

• Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry around machinery. It may catch on moving equipment and cause
a serious injury.

• Never distract the attention of another employee, as you might cause him or her to be injured. If it is
necessary to get the attention of another employee, wait until it can be done safely.

• Where required, you must wear protective equipment, such as goggles, safety glasses, masks, gloves,
safety belts, etc.
 PUERTO RICO STATE GUARD (PRSG) NATIONAL GUARD
POINT OF DISTRIBUTION(POD) AND REGIONAL STAGING AREA (RSA)

• Safety equipment such as restraints, pull-backs, and two-hand devices are designed for your protection.
Be sure such equipment is adjusted for you.

• Pile materials, skids, bins, boxes, or other equipment so as not to block aisles, exits, firefighting
equipment, electric lighting or power panels, valves, etc. FIRE DOORS AND AISLES MUST BE KEPT CLEAR.

• Keep your work area clean.

• Observe smoking regulations. Smoke only in authorized areas.

• Shut down your machine before cleaning, repairing, or leaving.

• Tow motors and lift trucks will be operated only by authorized personnel. Walk type lift trucks will not
be ridden, and only the operator is permitted to ride the tow motors. Do not exceed a speed that is safe
for existing conditions.

• Running and horseplay are strictly forbidden.

• Do not block access to fire extinguishers.

• Alcoholic Beverages will not be permitted.

• Do not tamper with electric controls or switches.

• Do not operate machines or equipment until you have been properly instructed and authorized to do
so by your supervisor or POD/RSA manager.

• Do not engage in such other practices as may be inconsistent with ordinary and reasonable
commonsense safety rules.

• Report any UNSAFE condition or acts to your supervisor.

• HELP TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.

• Use designated passages when moving from one place to another; never take hazardous shortcuts.

• Lift properly—use your legs, not your back. For heavier loads, ask for assistance.

• Do not adjust, clean, or oil moving machinery.

• Keep machine guards in their intended place.

• Do not throw objects.

• Clean up spilled liquid, oil, or grease immediately.

• Wear appropriate clothing. Shorts or minidresses are not permitted.

• Place trash and paper in proper containers.

EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE PROGRAM

As a guide for Puerto Rico State Guard (PRSG), we will use progressive discipline to correct unacceptable
employee conduct. The discipline program pertains to those employees who may engage in unacceptable
 PUERTO RICO STATE GUARD (PRSG) NATIONAL GUARD
POINT OF DISTRIBUTION(POD) AND REGIONAL STAGING AREA (RSA)

behavior. This policy does not, however, modify or amend the at-will employment relationship. The
Employee Discipline Program will have the following characteristics:

For non-serious incidents in which a POD/RSA employee is involved:

1. First occasion: Oral or written reprimand.

2. Second occasion: Suspension, the length of time depending on the severity of the situation and the
nature and severity of the previous reprimand.

3. Third occasion: Probable termination.

For serious incidents in which an employee is involved:

1. First occasion: Written reprimand, suspension, or termination.

2. Second occasion: Termination.

The difference between non-serious and serious incidences depends upon the possible consequences of
the incidences. The Safety Officer in the Incident Command System (ICS) reserves the sole right to
determine what is a non-serious or serious incident and retains the discretion to terminate the
employment relationship at any time for any reason under the at-will employment policy. If more than
one employee is involved in an unsafe act, each is subject to discipline, the degree of which depends upon
the circumstances.

SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

The PRSG has several employee safety incentive programs in place to reward those employees.

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING

All Army accidents will be investigated, reported (to include immediate notification as specified in AR 385-
10 regulation and analyzed in accordance with the requirements of this regulation, DA Pam 385–40,
USACRC use and preparation guides, and other USACRC developed tools for accident investigation and
reporting.

POD/RSA Manager _________________________ Rank______, Unit_________ Date:______________

Written by 1Lt Vinales/Safety Officer

Safety Team-AAR
April 16, 2018