SAFETY PROGRAM STATEMENT 

American Maid Services, LLC (AMS) recognizes our obligation to provide the safest possible working conditions for our Team Members. All Team Members are expected to follow the policies set forth in this handbook as a condition of employment. 

The goal for our safety and health program is to eliminate injuries and illnesses, not merely in keeping with but surpassing the best experience of businesses similar to ours. Our goal is zero accidents and injuries. 

Changes and additions to this policy may be made in the future, depending upon a need for modification of this policy based on experiences encountered in our workplace and by changes or additions required by WISHA  regulations. 

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL 

The operations manager will conduct periodic Worksite Safety Inspections using the Safety Inspection Checklist.  Problems or violations of safe practices will be noted and a support plan will begin. 

Our industry is not a high-risk accident or injury environment compared to many other workplaces, but there is always the potential for injury, primarily as a result of carelessness. Most accidents that happen while cleaning homes can be avoided with reasonable care and attention. 

SAFETY TRAINING 

Management is responsible for ensuring that safety training is provided to all Team Members. As a matter of policy, management intends to conduct training on at least one subject approximately every 30 days. Also may be reviewed again when a safety violation has occurred. 

Training may consist of lectures, demonstrations, videos, handouts, and on occasion, guest presenters. Training will be documented by a recorded Zoom meeting. All team members must attend these training sessions. If a Team Member misses a meeting, a copy of the meeting notes will be provided. 

New employee orientation will be provided by the operations manager following the outline of the new employee orientation form. 

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Office: 

• Establish a Safety Program. 
• Enforce rules set forth in this program. 
• Encourage Team Members’ input to report hazardous conditions and implement corrective action as deemed necessary. 
• Conduct periodic worksite inspections to assess potential hazardous conditions or safety violations.
• Conduct training sessions on safety issues as experience dictates needs. 
• Investigate all injuries. 

Team Members: 

• Comply with this safety program. 
• Report hazardous conditions to the Office. 
• Attend safety training sessions held or sponsored by AMS. 
• Injuries and accidents must be immediately reported to the Office.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES 

• We reserve the right to terminate a Team Member without prior disciplinary action when that Team Member engages in dangerous horseplay. 
• Do not run on Clients' property or in parking areas. 
• Follow prescribed safety practices at all times.
• Do not use vacuum cleaners (or any electrical appliances or equipment) that appear to have frayed or exposed wiring. 
• Do not mix chlorine/bleach products and ammonia products. Even mixing the fumes of these two chemicals creates a toxic gas that can cause serious harm to your health as well as the health of fellow Team Members. 
• Do not lean out of high windows, over balconies, or expose yourself to potential falls from high places, including standing on countertops or past the 2nd step on the stool. 
• Maintain a safe workplace for yourself and fellow Team Members by being aware of equipment, materials, or supplies that could be tripped over. 
• Never lift more than you feel comfortable with; get help. When lifting, bend your knees, not your back.
• All Team Members must wear croc type, closed toe shoes when on the clock in client’s homes. 
• Report all injuries and near misses to the Operations Manager or General Manager. 
• Comply with all safety instructions given. 
• Rotate jobs while cleaning so as to not overly use one area of the body if you are working on a team.

SAFETY PROCEDURES 

Chemicals and Supplies 

• Keep sticks and screwdrivers pointy side down. 
• Take care not to hit Team Members with equipment. 
• Chemicals must be in a caddy when not in use.
• Spray chemicals on sponges rather than on surfaces. 
• Rinse chemicals out of sponges. 
• Don’t spray CT with Team Members/Clients in the room. 
• Rinse all chemicals from surfaces. 
• Don’t use chemicals that don’t have labels – send them to the Dug Out for relabeling.
• Do not intentionally smell chemicals.
• Do not mix chemicals.
• Load your car CORRECTLY.
• Make sure your razor blade is closed.
• Close tops on chemical bottles.
• Call Office Staff immediately if: 
  1. Any chemical is spilled on Clients’ belongings. 
  2. Any chemical gets in a Team Member’s eyes – flush immediately with water for 15 minutes.
  3. Chemical spills of more than 1 cup. 

Body Mechanics 

• Don’t lift over twenty pounds without help. 
• Wear knee pads if on knees for more than 3 minutes. 
• Always use a step stool when trying to reach high places.
• Bend at the knees, not at the waist.  
• Rotate jobs between houses – kitchens, bathrooms, etc.
• Use two hands to lift.  
• Take mandatory breaks.
• No jerky or sudden motions. 

Driving Responsibility 

• Follow all traffic laws. 
• Come to complete stops. 
• Wear seatbelts. 
• No phone calls or texting.
• Be polite to other drivers. 
• Smile at other drivers. 
• Always yield the right-of-way.
• Refrain from sudden stops or accelerations. 
• Call the Office immediately to report accidents or any other driving issues. 

Personal Responsibility 

• Wear gloves at all times when any chemicals are used or when cleaning medical or dental buildings.  Wear croc type, closed-toed shoes while on the clock & in a home. 
• Don’t get in showers within 3 minutes of spraying chemicals. 
• No hitting or other physical aggression. 
• Take breaks as needed. 
• Always wear black or navy socks if you are wearing shorts or jogger pants.
• Read and understand your chemical reaction sheet. 
• Ask questions. 
• Keep shoes and equipment out of doorways.
• Drink plenty of water.  
• Move slowly when working in a crowded space. 
• Be mindful of other Team Members’ needs and restrictions.
• No profanity or vulgarity. 
• Dispose of cigarettes properly. 
• Call the Office immediately to report all injuries. 

ACCIDENT AND “NEAR MISS” INVESTIGATIONS 

All injuries are to be reported immediately by the injured Team Member completing an Injury/Near Miss Report.  

The Injury/Near Miss Reports are to be turned in to the Office immediately in order to ensure corrective action is taken to reduce the probability of a similar injury reoccurring. These forms are to be kept on file for a minimum of five years. 

Near Misses are to be reported to the Office, and the process for investigating and correcting the problem is the same as described above. Correction procedures will be presented at the next safety meeting. 

CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE 

The Office is responsible for enforcing these general safety rules, as well as more specific safety policies included in other written programs from time to time. All corrective procedures will be documented.

In the event a Team Member violates any of the policies of this safety program, the Team Member will be given a Verbal Warning (VW). After three VWs have been implemented, the Team Member may be terminated upon notification of any further infractions. 

FIRST AID AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT 

WISHA regulations require that a First-Aid Kit “acceptable to the attending physician” be assigned to each team. We have not been able to determine the meaning of “acceptable to the attending physician” (since the phrase seems to imply that the doctor attending the injured person would need to approve its contents, which,  of course, would be a little late to seek the doctor’s approval). However, as a minimum, your First Aid Kit  should include quantities of the following: 

FIRST AID KIT

• 1 - (16) 1" X 3" Bandage 
• 1 - Disposable Ice Pack 
• 1 - 4 oz. First Aid Spray 
• 1 - 4" Compress 
• 1 - (6) Foille Burn Ointment 
• 1 - (4) 3" X 3" Gauze Pads 
• 1 - 1/2" X 5 Yard Adhesive 
• 1 - (10) Wound Wipes 
• 1 - (10) Iodine Swab
• 1 - Tweezers  
• 1 - Triangular Bandage 
• 1 - Butterfly Bandaids 
• 1 - Pair Scissors 
• 1 - Pair Latex Gloves
• 1 - (10) Ammonia Inhalant 
• 1 - 2" Roller Bandage 
• 1 - First Aid Guide 

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Each vehicle must be equipped with a fire extinguisher with at least a 4 B:C rating.

BACK BRACES 

While neither Federal OSHA regulations nor WISHA state regulations require our Team Members to wear back brace supports, we believe they should be offered as a way of minimizing the possibility of back strain from vacuuming, bending, and lifting. Please request one if you would like to wear it. 

RUBBER/ NITRILE/LATEX GLOVES 

Team Members ARE supplied with 2 pairs of protective gloves, and they must be worn at all times when using any chemicals or in all areas, such as cleaning medical or dental buildings. Turn in defective or damaged gloves to the Office immediately for replacement. All Team Members should have 2 pairs available at all times.   

KNEE PADS 

Team Members are supplied with knee pads, and they should be worn always when any job requires Team  Members to be on their knees for over 3 minutes.  

GOGGLES 

Goggles are available for all Team Members in the supply shed. Use goggles to protect your eyes when using oven cleaner and all other hazardous products.

By signing this document, I verify that I have read and agree to follow all safety regulations put forth in the American Maid Services, LLC Safety Program Handbook.