Document Code No.: PER 18-9 (AEO)
Department/Issuing Agency: Executive Office
Effective Date: January 16, 2008
Approved: /s/ Ron Sims
Type of Action: New

Signed document (PDF, 1.06 MB)

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This order attests that King County government is committed to ending preventable injuries, deaths, and property damage by requiring its employees to secure their loads before operating vehicles on public roads.

WHEREAS,unsecured loads are a major public safety concern of King County requiring a concentrated effort to ensure that county employees who load, secure, or transport materials take the necessary steps to secure their loads; and

WHEREAS, unsecured loads cause unnecessary and preventable injuries, deaths, traffic hazards, and litter; and

WHEREAS, the King County Code 10.04.020 defines an "unsecured load" as "a load on a vehicle that is not securely fastened and protected by safety chains or other fastening devices, covered, tied down or otherwise secured to prevent the material from spilling, escaping or being deposited outside the vehicle while vehicle is in motion."; and

WHEREAS, RCW 46.61.655 states, "No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any public highway unless such vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping therefrom"; and

WHEREAS,RCW 46.04.197 defines "highway" to mean, "the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel";

NOW, THEREFORE, I Ron Sims, King County Executive do hereby order and direct:

1. All King County employees must:

Secure all loads on all vehicles and trailers in compliance with RCW 46.61.655 and all other applicable laws related to secured loads while performing work for King County.

2. All King County departments, divisions, and agencies to:

a. Inform their employees about this Executive Order, which requires

1. County employees to secure their loads before operating a vehicle in the performance of work for King County, and

2. County agencies that own or operate a fleet of vehicles to provide the necessary supplies to secure loads in all of their vehicles, and

3. Training that includes applicable secured load laws, employees' responsibilities, and examples of how to secure a load shall be provided to County employees who load, secure, or transport loads as part of their job duties.

3. All King County departments, divisions, and agencies whose employees load, secure, or transport loads as part of their job duties to:

a. Work with the Safety and Claims Office, and/or your agency's safety administrator to provide general training to employees that includes applicable secured load laws, employees' responsibilities, and examples of how to secure a load.

b. Determine whether their employees need additional specific secured load training beyond the general training.

c. Provide additional specific secured load training to their employees if the agency determines that such training is needed.

d. Document and track all secured loads training received by each employee.

e. Inform employees of their responsibilities in these areas:

1. Employees who load, secure, or transport supplies, equipment, or any load are responsible for ensuring the load is secure.

2. Employees must inspect their vehicles and equipment prior to operating it and report any deficiencies that would affect their ability to secure their load.

3. Employees are to follow existing agency procedures if deficiencies are found.

f. Inform employees that violation of this Executive Order may lead to discipline, up to and including termination.

4. The Safety and Claims Office in the Department of Executive Services' Human Resources Division to:

a. Where requested, provide general training to employees in King County departments, divisions, and agencies whose job duties include loading, securing, or transporting loads. Training shall include applicable secured load laws, employees' responsibilities, and examples of how to secure a load.

1. Document and track secured loads training provided to each employee.

b. Include information on secured load laws and employees' responsibilities in the Defensive Driving course offered to County employees.

5. All King County departments, divisions and agencies that own or operate a fleet of vehicles to:

a. Purchase and stock equipment/supplies appropriate for securing loads for all vehicles in their fleet and outfit each vehicle with equipment/supplies to secure loads.

b. Ensure that information about County employees' responsibilities to secure their loads is included with the operating manual for each vehicle.

c. Place secured load message inside the passenger compartment of each vehicle and with load securing equipment/supplies, to remind drivers to secure their loads.

Dated this 16th day of January___, 2008__.

/s/ Ron Sims
King County Executive

Attest:

/s/ Anne Bruskland, Interim Director

Records and Licensing Services Division

King County Employees Required to Secure Loads

EXECUTIVE ORDER

Addendum

We commend the Executive for issuing the aforementioned Executive Order on King County Employees Required to Secure Loads and we pledge the full weight of our support and cooperation.

/s/ Dan Satterberg
King County Prosecuting Attorney
/s/ Sue Rahr, King County Sheriff