Safety
Provider Type
- Physicians
- Participating Physician Groups (PPG)
- Hospitals
- Ancillary
Health Net requires that all facilities serving Medi-Cal and Cal MediConnect members strictly adhere to all regulatory agency rules and regulations regarding fire and safety. Each facility must have evidence of being fire safe as evidenced by the fire department and state fire marshal's office.
Facility Responsibilities
Supervisors or designated staff are responsible for ensuring that emergency and fire protection policies and procedures are adhered to within their areas of responsibility and that fire hazards are reported and eliminated. Evacuation routes must be clearly posted and all telephones should be marked with emergency numbers.
Monthly inspections of fire extinguishers must be performed by supervisors or designated staff and a log documenting the inspections maintained. Records of fire inspections must also be maintained.
Fire Safety Training
All new employees must be trained in facility-specific fire safety measures. A set of fire safety procedures must be issued to, read and signed by the employees, indicating their understanding of the procedures. A log documenting this training is to be kept.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees are responsible for reporting the following potential fire hazards:
- defective or inoperable emergency equipment (for example, fire extinguishers and blocked emergency exits)
- housekeeping hazards (over-accumulation of trash, rags and other combustibles)
- defective heat-producing equipment (for example, malfunctioning heaters, furnaces or ovens)
- misuse or mishandling of biohazardous materials
- electrical hazards (for example, exposed wires on appliances)
Outside Agency Responsibilities
Local fire department representatives perform periodic inspections to ensure compliance with codes and regulations. Copies of deficiency and hazard reports are forwarded to the facility manager. Maintenance of portable fire extinguishers is performed by contractors licensed by the California state fire marshal.
Whenever a fire occurs that could result in a threat to life or property, immediately call the fire department (911) and notify the designated department in the facility.
Consult the provider facility's building management staff and follow the prescribed reporting sequence:
- Remove yourself and others in any immediate danger.
- Call the fire department or facility response team or pull alarm as specified in the facility.
- Close doors in the fire area.
- Evacuate in accordance with the facility evacuation plan.
The following safety regulations must be followed at all times:
- Smoking is prohibited in work and common areas as designated by California and local laws, wherever an area is posted as a non-smoking area, and within 25 feet of any flammable materials storage area.
- Corridors, passageways, roadways, stairways, and any walkways leading to and from an exit must remain clear and free of any obstructions.
- The minimum width of an exit aisle is 28 inches.
- A minimum clear space of 36 inches and clear access must be maintained around sprinkler system control valves, fire alarm devices, fire ladders, fire hose stations, extinguishers, and electrical switch boxes and panels.
- Fire doors must be kept closed at all times.
- Combustible waste or refuse must be properly stored or disposed of to prevent unsafe conditions.
- Use of sawdust or similar combustible materials to soak up combustible or flammable liquids spilled or dropped from machinery or processes on any floor is prohibited.
- A minimum clearance of 18 inches must be maintained between the top of stored materials and sprinkler deflectors.
Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Flammable and combustible liquids must be stored in accordance with the following:
- Flammable and combustible liquids must be contained in Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved containers and properly labeled, and the date of purchase must be indicated on the container face.
- Flammable and combustible liquids must be kept in approved storage cabinets marked "FLAMMABLE - KEEP FIRE AWAY." Up to 60 gallons of Class I and Class II flammable or combustible liquids may be stored in storage cabinets UL approved for flammable liquids.
- Containers of flammable liquids must not be stored near steam coils or any other source of heat.
- Stored liquids must not physically obstruct an exit.
- Minimum aisle width of three feet must be maintained wherever flammable materials are stored.
Flammable and combustible liquids must not be stored with incompatible materials, such as acids and alkalis or with any material that reacts violently with water.
Electrical Appliances
All electrical appliances must bear the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) approval. Further, all electrical equipment must be turned off or disconnected at the end of shift unless directed otherwise by the manufacturer.