Big Cat Rescue Risk Management/Safety Policy
Big Cat Rescue is located seven miles from the Town N Country Hospital, a fully staffed Emergency Hospital and Trauma Center. Any employee has the responsibility and authority to recognize safety hazards and recommend changes. The Director is responsible for the development of the safety program and its implementation. The goal of the safety program is to reduce on the job injuries; reduce hazards for staff, volunteers and visitors. And to prevent handler caused injuries to the animals; establish a comprehensive safety program and provide routine education and training. Procedures The Director will chair a safety committee composed of a staff and volunteers. The committee will research, evaluate, formulate and adopt appropriate Safety Guidelines. The following areas are to be addressed-
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The committee will conduct meetings as needed, but at least every six months, to discuss accident prevention methods, promotion of safety issues, safety hazards and other related issues. The committee will recommend new or revised rules to comply with current safety and health standards, review accidents, recommend corrective action, recommend changes or additions to protective clothing and equipment, promote safety training, make systematic inspections and provide information to the Director.The Director will require each employee to attend formal safety training at least annually to ensure that employees are properly instructed concerning hazards of their work and safe practices.
General Emergency Procedures
All emergency procedures will be provided in writing to Big Cat Rescue staff and volunteers, where appropriate. Emergency procedures include those for animal recapture, bites/stings by a venomous animal, natural disasters (including fire or weather related), major power failure involving life-support systems, major communication failure and emergencies created by humans or stray animals. Emergency procedures will be reviewed at least twice annually to determine staff preparedness, as well as to identify potential areas that could cause problems in the handling of an emergency. Incidents that may require a call to 911 include:
· Utility problem (gas or water line break, downed power line)
· Escaped animal
· Human injury or medical emergency
· Fire/smoke
· Explosion
· Weather/natural disasters
Procedures:Calls to 911. Telephone procedure for calls to 911 will be as follows:
· Any employee or volunteer observing an emergency requiring an immediate call to 911 may do so when a telephone is readily available. That person will then inform the Director that the call has been made.
General evacuation.
· A general evacuation may be executed in the event of an emergency. The person in charge (PIC) in consultation with other emergency response personnel (if they have already arrived) will determine when an evacuation is necessary.
· The PIC will direct evacuation.
· Animals will be shifted into secure holding areas or lock down where possible.
· Power will be shut down as necessary where possible.
· No one is authorized to make comments to the media without express permission from the Director.
Major power failure involving life-support systems.
· All unnecessary items will be shut off and protected from surges or breaker overloads when power resumes. Food and pharmaceuticals will be placed in freezers on an absolutely necessary basis.
· The PIC will contact local fire station, electric company and/or public works as necessary to report or obtain information.
· Major communications failure.
· The PIC will contact appropriate utility or contractor for repair if problem is local.
Emergencies created by humans or stray animals.
· Any Big Cat Rescue staff member or volunteer observing an emergency created by a human may initiate the procedures to call 911.·
The PIC will determine if a general evacuation is necessary.·
No one is authorized to make comments to the media without express permission from the Director.·
Collections staff should attempt to capture or contain the stray animal until Animal Control arrives.
Quick Guide for Staff Response to Hazards
Your responsibilities as an Big Cat Rescue employee or volunteer, if you observe or are notified of a possible/actual safety hazard:·
You are to immediately prevent anyone from accessing the area or equipment of concern.·
Do not leave the area of concern yourself, until you have been relieved of this responsibility.·
Notify the Director or PIC of the hazard.·
If an animal is in danger, immediately notify the Center’s Director or Volunteer Coordinator.
Weapons Use/Storage Policy and Procedures
Training Procedures All Senior staff and volunteers will be trained in the use of firearms and shall practice a minimum of four times annually. Minimum On-site At All Times Weapons & Supplies Inventory:
· (1) Rifle and (1) Shotgun· (1)box of rifle rounds and (1) box of shotgun shells/ slugs
Other Items Kept at/in the Gun Safe Area:
· Emergency set of vehicle keys Dart guns, darts and sedatives· Weapons Use/Storage Policy/Procedure First Aid Kit
See the Animal Escape Protocol for further information.
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