SEATTLE — July 12, 2012— On May 21, 2012, a Board Resolution was passed updating the Risk Control and Safety Policy Statement. The continued effort to maintain best practices in the control and reduction of risk and the promotion of safety among our residents, employees and visitors is an achievable goal that benefits us all. In addition to best practices, the Safety Program is a key part of risk control that provides conditions and operating procedures that help ensure a safe working and living environment.
Safety is the responsibility of residents, employees and visitors alike. Please help us continue our effort to make our homes and workplaces a safer place to be.
Risk Control and Safety Policy Statement
It is the policy of the Seattle Housing Authority to operate and maintain its buildings, equipment and grounds in a manner that promotes the safety of residents, staff and visitors; to protect the Authority's physical property from damage and to maintain its useful life; and, to minimize injuries, losses and the cost of injuries and losses. The Authority will continue to take a leadership role in promoting safety and preventing or controlling risks. Safety is the responsibility of everyone—staff, residents and visitors alike.
The Housing Authority's Risk Control program uses two main techniques to achieve the policy's objectives; risk financing and risk control. Risk financing is the process of analyzing and identifying the types and level of losses SHA can absorb through its operational budget, then determining which other losses must be handled through insurance or contractual risk transfer. Loss Control is the implementation of procedures and programs which aid in the prevention of accidents. The Authority's Safety programs – including regular inspection of buildings and equipment, training targeted at safe practices for employees and residents, and careful analysis of incident or accident data to focus training and corrective actions – are the principal tools for preventing and reducing accidents and thus for enhancing loss control.
Risk Control and Safety are the responsibility of all levels of the Authority, starting with top management and extending to each individual employee. The intent of the Risk Control and Safety Policy is to ensure safe practices and to protect people and property from injury or damage. This is an ongoing operational priority.
This policy statement shall be publicized annually to residents and employees through regular publications for these audiences and through the Authority's website.
The policy was adopted by Seattle Housing Authority Board on May 21, 2012, and expires in May 2017.