267City Of Anaheim Administrative Regulation
CHAPTER 2 - EMPLOYMENT PROCEDURES
Subject: Safety Warnings/Discipline A.R. 267
Issue Date: Mar. 14, 1988
Revised:
Page (1) of (2)
Purpose:
The purpose of this regulation is to establish a Safety Warnings/Discipline Policy that
gives direction and guidelines to be followed when there has been a violation of safety
rules or regulations.
It will be the policy of the City that safety shall be an integral part of every work
function. The Safety Warnings/Discipline Policy is designed to impress upon all
employees the need to exercise utmost caution in preventing injuries to themselves or
others or in causing property damage.
When an accident occurs, it shall be investigated. If it is determined that an unsafe act,
failure to follow prescribed safety procedures, a safety violation or gross negligence
caused the accident, the employee involved shall be subject to discipline as specified
herein. Discipline must relate to infractions of rules of conduct; i.e., particular acts of
misconduct or a series of such actions committed, not upon future events which may or
may not be committed.
Additionally, employees observed performing work in an unsafe manner, even though an
accident has not occurred, are subject to the terms of this policy.
Procedures:
The following paragraphs provide guidelines for disciplinary action for violations of this
policy. All disciplinary actions should be documented in writing. Documentation of
written reprimands and higher levels of discipline should be placed in the employee's
departmental personnel file.
The level of discipline should be reasonably related to the seriousness of the offense and
determined on a case -by -case basis. Discipline should be regarded as corrective, not
punitive. When determining the level of disciplinary action, the facts and circumstances
of the violation should be considered, as well as the employee's past work record and
discipline record. The level of disciplinary action should be consistent with similar cases.
City of Anaheim Administrative Regulation 267
Page (2) of (2)
Supervisory personnel who choose not to correct observed unsafe acts;
who fail to investigate, or have investigated, reports of unsafe acts or hazards and do not
act upon them; or whose work groups have poor safety records may be deemed to be
performing unsatisfactorily. Such an evaluation shall affect future merit increases and
promotional considerations, and may also be deemed grounds for disciplinary action.
Responsibility:
Every employee will be responsible and held accountable for compliance with all safety
precautions, rules and regulations for their own safety and the safety of others.
Supervisory personnel who choose not to correct observed unsafe acts; who fail to
investigate, or have investigated, reports of unsafe acts or hazards and do not act upon
them; or whose work groups have poor safety records may be deemed to be performing
unsatisfactorily. Such an evaluation shall affect future merit increases and promotional
considerations.
If an employee observes an unsafe condition, or another employee working in an unsafe
manner or committing a safety violation, such employee shall immediately take action to
correct it, or report it to his/her supervisor for corrective action.
All levels of management are responsible and accountable for maintaining an
environment free from recognized hazards causing, or likely to cause, injury or physical
harm, and to assure that all safety precautions, rules, and regulations are adhered to.
Failure to observe the aforementioned responsibilities may be considered a safety
violation. Any violation of this policy by a City employee shall result in disciplinary
action up to and including dismissal.
Attachments: Attachment "A", Guide For Preparing A written Reprimand,
ATTACHMENT "A"
GUIDE FOR PREPARING A WRITTEN REPRIMAND
(Date)
TO: (Employee's Name)
FROM: (Name of Supervisor)
SUBJECT: WRITTEN REPRIMAND
1. Start out by stating in a brief and concise manner those events that have led up to
the written reprimand. Example:
As you will recall, on (date) , I talked to you regarding (situation)
We again discussed this on (date)
2. Be sure to include specific situations with dates and times.
As a result of the above situation(s), this memo shall serve as a written reprimand,
a copy of which will be placed in your permanent personnel file.
3. Identify the specific expectations you have for the employee to change.
4. Depending on the nature of the situation, you may want to use one of the
following where appropriate:
Further actions of this nature could result in further disciplinary action up to, and
including dismissal.
Or
Failure to correct this situation by (date) could result in further
disciplinary action up to, and including dismissal.
5. It is suggested that the following two items be placed at the end of the memo:
You have the right to appeal this action in accordance with the provisions of
Article of the Memorandum of Understanding Grievance Procedure
(bargaining unit employee) OR Personnel Rule 31 Grievance procedure
(management/confidential employee).
Should you wish to discuss this situation further, please arrange a meeting with
me.