Employee Handbook
Back to Table of Contents
Download the complete Employee Handbook (PDF).
Scroll to: Accidents and Accident Reports | Snow/Inclement Weather
Safety and Security
Safety
SIBCR operates within the VAPSHCS facilities. VAPSHCS provides a clean, healthy, safe environment in which to work in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Employee safety depends on the safety consciousness of everyone. As SIBCR employees and VAPSHCS WOC appointees, employees are expected to take an active part in maintaining this environment. Always observe the special safety rules applicable in your work area, adhere to all safety instructions provided by your supervisor and use safety equipment where required. Each employee working in a laboratory will have available the R&D Laboratory Safety Manual and Radiation Safety Plan. Each employee should be aware of and have read the plan. All SIBCR employees are required to attend the annual safety meeting and other mandatory trainings.
Your work place should be kept neat, clean and orderly. It is your responsibility to learn the location of all safety and emergency equipment, as well as the appropriate safety contact phone numbers.
All safety equipment will be provided by SIBCR or VAPSHCS, and employees will be responsible for the reasonable upkeep of this equipment. Any problems or defects in equipment should be reported immediately to the R&D Safety Officer.
For further safety procedures and requirements, please refer to the R&D Lab Safety Manual Copies are available in each laboratory and from R&D Administration.
No minors (under 18) are allowed in the laboratories of VAPSHCS. This includes: the 6th and 7th floors of Building 1, Buildings 8, 11, 13, 23, and 34 at the Seattle Division and Buildings 18N, 18S, 72 at the American Lake Division, and any other space that is designated a laboratory.
SIBCR employees have a duty to comply with the safety rules of VAPSHCS as follows:
- assist in maintaining the hazard-free environment,
- report any accidents or injuries - including any breaches of safety,
- and report any unsafe equipment, working condition, process or procedure, at once to their supervisors.
Employees may report safety violations or injuries anonymously to the R&D Safety Officer, if they are not the injured or violating party. NO EMPLOYEE WILL BE PUNISHED OR REPRIMANDED FOR REPORTING SAFETY VIOLATIONS OR HAZARDS. Any deliberate or ongoing safety violation, or creation of hazard, by an employee will be dealt with through disciplinary action by SIBCR, up to and including termination.
Accidents and Accident Reports
An employee must notify his or her supervisor immediately if he or she is injured on the job. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to help evaluate the situation and assist in obtaining appropriate medical assistance, should that be necessary.
Employees of SIBCR are insured under SIBCR’s Washington State Industrial Insurance (L&I). This insurance covers medical expenses and lost pay in cases of accidental injury or occupational illness on the job. In order to file for benefits employees must complete the appropriate L&I claim forms. These forms can be obtained from the employee’s health care provider, who will initiate the claims process upon request. Employees must bring the completed forms back to the SIBCR Human Resources Manager for approval. The Washington State Labor and Industries claims manager can be contacted with any questions regarding claims.
As soon as practical, but in no case later than 24 hours following an injury or suspected injury, an employee must also complete a VAPSHCS accident report (available in paper format in the SIBCR office), describing the circumstances surrounding the incident. Failure to report the accident to SIBCR may result in a claim denial. Reporting an injury to SIBCR will permit better assistance with obtaining insurance benefits for the employee if he or she qualifies for them. The accident report form is an internal requirement of working at a VAPSHCS facility, and does not register a claim for L&I compensation.
Snow / Inclement Weather
In the case of snow or other inclement weather SIBCR will follow the closure decisions of VAPSHCS. Employees should monitor radio and/or television broadcasts to find out if VAPSHCS will be closed for all but essential personnel and should use their best judgment in deciding whether to come to work or not; employees are urged not to put themselves at risk. Employees are to call their supervisor or the SIBCR office to confirm or leave a message regarding their absence. Absence due to weather may be paid or unpaid, depending on the circumstances. SIBCR will send out an email regarding any authorized absences. Any questions on reporting weather-related absences on timesheets should be directed to Human Resources.