Explanation
Title
To recognize and pay tribute to the dedicated safety professionals who have contributed to furnishing a place of City employment free from hazards, reducing incidences of injuries and lost days and who are committed to the prevention and control of unsafe working conditions.
Body
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4167: Public Employment Risk Reduction Program, 144 v H 308 (Effective 4-20-93) requires each public employer to furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its public employees; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the city to achieve compliance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4167 in an organized, effective and efficient manner; and
WHEREAS it is a goal of the Department of Human Resources to promote a safe and healthy working environment for all City employees by designing and administering a comprehensive, integrated Occupational Safety and Health Program Citywide; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Programs (OSHP) within the Department of Human Resources, is to reduce the incidence of occupational injuries and diseases, protect employees against hazards and risks of hazards and control identified hazards; and
WHEREAS The Department and Division Safety Professionals, through their participation in the Citywide Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Committee (COSHAC) and the Technical Advisory Safety Committee (TASC) have implemented safety policies procedures and processes that have contributed significantly to a reduction in the frequency and severity of workplace injuries in the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS during the period from 2001 to 2004, the City reduced its' total number of lost days by 124,234 (as reported by BWC and Careworks as of 2/15/05) and as a result saved over 3 million dollars in Workers Compensation premium cost; and
WHEREAS in 2004 several City facilities experienced record days worked without a lost workday and in some cases this continued from 2005 into 2005; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize and pay tribute to the dedicated safety professionals who have contributed to furnishing a place of City employment free from hazards, reducing incidences of injuries and lost days and who are committed to the prevention and control of unsafe working conditions.