SOP_NUMBER: 511.31
TITLE: Occupational Safety and Health Program
REFERENCE_CODE: IVN10-0013
DIVISION: Facilities
TOPIC_AREA: 511 Policy-Fire Services
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2002-04-01
WORD_COUNT: 328
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105886
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/511.31/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes an occupational safety and health program for GDC firefighters to provide a safe working environment and comply with NFPA 1500 standards. It applies to all Department of Corrections certified firefighters in state and county fire departments. The policy requires firefighters to participate in safety programs, report unsafe conditions, maintain physical fitness, and hold station chiefs accountable for enforcing safety requirements.

KEY_TOPICS: occupational safety and health, firefighter safety, fire services, NFPA 1500, workplace safety, accident prevention, injury prevention, firefighter fitness, unsafe conditions, station chiefs, fire department safety program

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FULL TEXT:
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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**`Functional Area: `**<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE`<br>`SERVICES`|**`Reference Number: `**<br>`IVN10-0013`|**`Revises`**<br>**`Previous`**<br>**`Effective Date:`**<br>`NEW`|
|**`Subject:`**<br>`OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND`<br>`HEALTH PROGRAM`|||
|**`Authority:`**<br>`WETHERINGTON/HODGE`|**`Effective Date:`**<br>`4/01/02`|`Page`**`1`**` of`<br>**`2 `**|

```
I. POLICY:

   A. This standard establishes an occupational safety and
      health program for the department. It was promulgated
      to:

      1. Provide a safe working environment for the
         Firefighters of the department.

      2. Satisfy the requirements of NFPA 1500, Standard on
         Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health
         Program.

   B. It shall be the policy of the department to operate at
      the highest possible level of safety and health for all
      its Firefighters. To this end, the department shall:

   C. Make every reasonable effort to provide a safe and
      healthy work environment.

   D. Give primary consideration to the prevention and
      reduction of accidents, injuries, and occupational
      illnesses.

   E. Take the appropriate corrective action to avoid
      repetitive occurrences of accidents.

   F. Provide training, supervision, written procedures,
      program support, and review for all of its activities.

II. APPLICABILITY:

   All Dept. of Corrections Certified Firefighters in State and
   County Fire Departments.

```

|Functional Area:<br>SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>NEW|Page 2 of<br>2|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN10-0013`|

```
III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   NFPA 1500

IV. DEFINITIONS:

    NONE

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   NONE

VI. PROCEDURE:

```





```
A. Safety and health is the responsibility of every
   Firefighter. Therefore, each Firefighter shall:

   1. Cooperate, participate, and comply with all of the
      provisions of the occupational safety and health
      program.

   2. Promptly report acts and conditions that are unsafe
      or unhealthy and that pose a threat either to
      Firefighters or to others.

   3. Maintain a level of mental and physical fitness that
      enables the Firefighter to safely perform his/her
      assigned tasks.

B. Station Chiefs shall be responsible for enforcing the
   requirements of the occupational safety and health
   program and for ensuring that each Firefighter under
   their command complies with the provisions of the
   occupational safety and health program.

```