Report 2021-104 Recommendation 21 Responses

Report 2021-104: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Its Leadership Has Failed to Promote Transparency or Ensure a Fair and Equitable Workplace (Release Date: April 2022)

Recommendation #21 To: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

To better protect the safety of its employees, by June 2022 MWD should revise its safety policies to establish a minimum level of collaboration between safety representatives and management, such as establishing requirements for regular meetings and requiring managers to attend safety committee meetings.

60-Day Agency Response

Metropolitan adopted a new procedure, HSE 101.4 Safety Communications, on June 15, 2022, which requires greater collaboration and meetings between safety representatives and management. Managers are required to attend safety committee meetings.

In recognition of National Safety Month, safety awareness events are being held at Metropolitan facilities throughout the month of June 2022. The events have included facility tours, safety presentations, and vendor product demonstrations.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Fully Implemented

MWD provided the new procedure, which establishes minimum levels of collaboration between safety representative and management, including during weekly planning and monthly committee meetings.

All Recommendations in 2021-104

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.