DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
The Columbia
County Board of County Commissioners established the Department of
Safety in 1992. The Board adopted policy and procedures for the
Safety Program in 1993. With this, came a commitment by the Board
to have safety in the workplace for all employees a top priority.
The commitment and awareness by the Board has had a positive
effect on all employees and has drastically reduced workplace
accidents. The Safety Director reports directly to the County
Manager.
The Board also
created a Drug Free Workplace Policy that was revised in 1997 that
has guidelines for random drug testing and Commercial Drivers
License (CDL) random drug testing. CDL random drug testing is
conducted quarterly and random drug testing is conducted either
annually or whenever the County Manager deems it necessary.
Drug tests are conducted on all employees post accident. The
director has the overall responsibility of the safety program as
prescribed by the policies set forth by the County Commissioners.
The Safety Director has the authority to administer the policy and
program working through the various lines of management in the
County.
This department
also conducts facility inspections for all County buildings and
recommends corrective or preventive measures. The
Safety Director investigates an accident that requires medical
attention as soon as possible. An accident that does not require
medical attention is also investigated and a report is placed in
employee safety file. These reports are compiled to study
frequency of accidents.
This department
supervises the procurement and distribution of personal protective
equipment and other safety devices. This department oversees all
training that is required by OSHA, County policies and any
training that employee’s request. This Department assists in job
placement of employees able to return to work after serious or
disabling injuries.
A safety manual
is issued to all newly hired employees.
DEPARTMENT OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
The Department
of Property Management is responsible for all of the Board of County
Commissioners fixed assets and reports directly to the County Manager.
There is a
value of approximately $20,551,556.57 of fixed assets. An asset is an item with a
minimum value of $500.00 or a life expectancy
of three (3) years or more.
An inventory
of the County’s fixed assets is completed annually in all County
Departments as well as all Constitutional Officers’ Offices, excluding
the Sheriff’s Offices.
The inventory
process involves physically inspecting all fixed assets with each
Department Head and with each Constitutional Officer or their designee.
ADOPT-A-ROAD
Program
The Columbia County Board of County
Commissioners has adopted a revised ADOPT-A-ROAD PROGRAM.
The purpose of this Program is to form a partnership for litter
control and beautification of county highways. If your club
or organization or your neighborhood group would be interested in
joining this program; please contact the Columbia County Board of
County Commissioner, Post Office Box 1529, Lake City, FL
32056-1529, or by calling 758-1005, 758-1326 or 758-1025.
ADOPT-A-ROAD
PROGRAM is a WIN-WIN Program that allows for groups to make a
visible difference in their community for a minimal cost.
Please join
your County Commissioners in making this program a success.
Litter Removal Procedures
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Interested sponsoring organizations/groups should contact the Columbia County Commission
Office for copies of the guidelines and contract agreement.
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Two (2) copies of the contract agreement, signed by the group coordinator, should
be returned to the Board of County Commissioners for approval.
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One fully executed contract agreement will be forwarded to the following:
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Sponsoring organization/group
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Board of County Commissioners
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Upon receipt of the executed agreement, the county will order the Adopt-A-Road Program
permanent sign for the group at no cost to the group. Costs will be borne by the
county.
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Safety workshops for the group will be arranged with the local safety representatives
as his/her schedule permits. The county’s safety recommendations will be provided
upon request.
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The county will coordinate litter clean-up efforts with the group and be responsible
for providing safety vests, traffic control signs and large plastic bags. The group
will sign for the safety equipment and will be responsible for the equipment’s return
to the county. The group will tag the recyclable trash bags with orange tape to
differentiate between garbage and recyclables. The group may redeem the recyclables
collected and keep the proceeds for the group. The trash bags should be left under
the Adopt-A-Road Program signs for collection by the county. The county will schedule
trash bag collection from the roadsides as soon as practical after completion of
the clean-up efforts.
If you have any questions regarding the ADOPT-A-ROAD Program or would like to participate, please telephone Rudy Crews at (386)758-1134 or email him at rudy_crews@columbiacountyfla.com
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