A2234 INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION CLEAN DRAFT 01072021.DOCX

MARICOPA COUNTY INTERNAL POLICY
Policy Number:
A2234
Current Adoption Date:
9-15-2021
Policy Title:
INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION
Current Implementation Date:
9-15-2021
Board Agenda Number:
C-75-18-006-6-01
Approved by:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Original Adoption Date:
05-20-2015
I. PURPOSE
Maricopa County is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and believes that preventing work-
related injuries, illnesses and accidents are of vital importance to the sustainability of the County. By creating 
and maintaining a strong safety culture, departments can retain qualified employees and accomplish their 
goals while being mindful stewards of the public’s money and trust.
II. APPLICATION
This Policy applies to all Maricopa County appointed departments as well as the Flood Control District of 
Maricopa County, the Maricopa County Library District, and the Maricopa County Stadium District (Special 
Districts). The Board of Supervisors is authorized to jointly adopt policies applying to the Special Districts 
under the Intergovernmental Agreement, C-06-18-393-6-00, approved on April 11, 2018.
This policy also applies to employees of County elected offices unless the elected official has implemented 
a similar policy specific to his or her office.   
III. DEFINITIONS
A.
Appointing Authority: An elected official, the single administrative or executive head of a 
Department/Special District, or the designated representative authorized to act in this capacity.
B.
Near Miss: An unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage – but had the potential to 
do so. Only a fortunate break in the chain of events prevented it.
C.
Plan: A written document containing the specific actions developed to accomplish the County’s goal of 
the safety of its employees at the workplace.
D.
Program: Objectives and practices that include the elements necessary for the department to achieve 
the County’s goal of the health and safety of its employees at the workplace.
E.
Safety Committee: A group of employees and management who address safety issues by creating and 
nurturing a culture of safety throughout their sphere of influence.
IV. GENERAL STATEMENTS
A.
Goals 
1.
To promote the safety, health and well-being of employees, contractors and the public by providing 
a safe and healthy work environment.
2.
To minimize loss and human suffering.
3.
To provide common-sense safety and health guidelines that prevent work-related injuries, 
occupational illnesses, vehicle collisions and property damage. 
4.
To supplement existing safety and health procedures at applicable worksites.

Policy Number:
A2234
Policy Title:
INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION
Current Adoption Date:
9-15-2021
Page 2 of 4
5.
To comply with safety laws and regulations and to ensure compliance through self-evaluations.
V. POLICY
A.
Introduction
1.
In accordance with the OSH Act of 1970, Section 5 Duties, Maricopa County provides a place of 
employment which is free from recognized hazards that may cause death or serious physical harm.
2.
Maricopa County complies with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under the 
OSH Act of 1970.
3.
All injuries and illnesses shall be reported in accordance with Policy A2218 Reporting of Industrial 
Injury or Illness.
4.
All vehicle incidents and accidents shall be reported in accordance with Policy A2310 Vehicle and 
Equipment Use.
5.
Every department is required to have a current and customized Injury and Illness Prevention 
Program (IIPP).
6.
The provisions of the IIPP shall be communicated regularly throughout the agency/department.
7.
Managers, supervisors, and employees are required to be familiar with their IIPP provisions.
8.
A compliant IIPP shall identify:
a.
The person or persons with authority and responsibility for implementing the Program.
b.
A system for ensuring that employees comply with safe and healthy work practices.
c.
A system for communicating with employees in a form readily understandable.
d.
Procedures for identifying and evaluating workplace hazards, including scheduled periodic 
inspections.
e.
A procedure to investigate occupational injuries.
f.
Methods and/or procedures for correcting unsafe or unhealthy conditions in a timely manner.
g.
Training and instruction requirements.
B.
Risk Management Department Responsibilities
1.
Risk Management shall provide support through risk assessments, training resources, consultation, 
and guidance to facilitate County and departmental safety goals.
2.
Risk Management shall provide methods for reporting safety concerns: a monitored line, 602-506-
8601, or the anonymous “Safety Hotline” at 602-506-4200.
3.
Risk Management shall respond and investigate all safety concerns and hazards reported to them 
and assist County departments with investigation and response as requested.
4.
Risk Management shall assist in assessing training needs, recommending effective training, and 
providing resources to assist with the delivery of training.
C.
Department Responsibilities

Policy Number:
A2234
Policy Title:
INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION
Current Adoption Date:
9-15-2021
Page 3 of 4
1.
Appointing Authorities shall demonstrate Maricopa County’s commitment to a strong safety culture, 
communicate that commitment to workers, and set Program expectations and responsibilities 
tailored to their departments’ operations.
2.
Appointing Authorities shall take necessary actions to improve the overall effectiveness of their 
Programs.
3.
Appointing Authorities shall create a “Safety Committee” made up of management and employee 
representation to act on any safety concerns as well as review Near Misses and accident trends.
4.
Appointing authorities and their designees are responsible for providing on-going safety training and 
information to ensure their employees have the proper knowledge to avoid accidents and injuries.
5.
Safety training shall be specific to the department and the task and shall be frequent and effective.
6.
Standard Procedures, departmental Plans, and/or Programs shall be in writing and designed to 
continually identify and proactively address workplace hazards and evaluate risks by conducting 
periodic inspections and assessments to identify new hazards and ensure regulatory compliance.
7.
Departments shall maintain all necessary documentation regarding their Programs and shall ensure 
recordkeeping is compliant with applicable regulations.
8.
Managers and supervisors shall demonstrate safety concepts and be responsible for training 
employees and responding to safety concerns.
9.
Managers and supervisors shall make overall safety a core organizational value, establish risk 
reduction priorities, provide adequate resources and support, and lead by example.
10. Departments shall provide effective means of communication for employees to report and discuss 
any safety-related problem, violation, or concern.
11. An effective safety culture is the shared responsibility of departments, supervisors and employees. 
Departments provide guidance as to which Programs and topics are to be included. Supervisors 
ensures that effective training is completed. Employees are responsible for embracing the safety 
culture and understanding and adhering to Programs.
D.
Key Principles of Safety Management for Supervisors:
1.
To understand and accept accountability for preventing work-related injuries, occupational illnesses, 
vehicle collisions and property damage.
2.
To accept responsibility for training employees to work safely and to instill a positive safety attitude 
in employees.
3.
To accept responsibility for providing safe work procedures and to ensure employees’ compliance 
with these procedures, the County accident prevention rules and all other safety requirements.
4.
To ensure that regular safety inspections are conducted in their areas and that any action item 
identified is corrected in a timely manner.
5.
To ensure that working safely is a condition of employment.
6.
To ensure that employees accept responsibility for working safely and extend concern for personal 
safety to fellow employees and all others. 
E.
Employee Responsibilities

Policy Number:
A2234
Policy Title:
INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION
Current Adoption Date:
9-15-2021
Page 4 of 4
1.
Employees shall be engaged and involved in all aspects of their department’s Programs, including 
setting goals, identifying and exposing hazards, reporting incidents or Near Misses, and following 
established best practices for their job tasks.
2.
All employees shall understand their job role and responsibilities and how to effectively and safely 
carry them out.
3.
Employees shall communicate openly with management and report safety, health, and 
environmental concerns without fear of retaliation.
4.
Employees shall recognize workplace hazards, understand implemented control measures, 
determine when changes affecting those hazards or control measures have occurred, and take 
appropriate actions.
5.
Employees shall not participate in at-risk behaviors or operate in a reckless manner which could 
create a hazard or result in actual harm to themselves or others.
Revision History
Version
Revision Date
Description of Revision
1
05-20-2015
Initial version. (C-49-15-061-6-00)
2
04-11-2018
Updated to conform to Section A2234b and A2234q changes (C-75-18-006-
6-00).
3
09-15-2021
Complete rewrite – previous version contained procedure manuals and was 
176 pages (C-75-18-006-6-01).