ULM's program for promoting safe work practices and a safe working environment in accordance with Office of Risk Management guidelines is detailed in the following statement of safety policy and responsibility. This policy should be read and its principles practiced by each ULM faculty and staff member. ULM's positive response to occupational safety and health is the commendable result of efforts by all faculty and staff to minimize the frequency and severity of accidents.

1. All levels of management are responsible for the safety and health of employees. This responsibility is met by continuous effort from everyone to implement safe working practices through maintaining property and equipment in a safe working condition, through quality project planning and execution and by ensuring full compliance with applicable rules, requirements and regulations.

2. Basic responsibility for employee health and safety rests with each individual. All employees will, as a condition of employment, be responsible for conducting their work in a safe and healthful manner.

3. Work practices should be based on the principles of least acceptable risk as defined by the Loss Prevention Section of the Office of Risk Management.

4. All University programs and activities should maintain a continuous identification and evaluation of employee health and safety risks by familiarization, inspections and coordination with the Environmental Health and Safety Office.

5. The University is committed to the control and reduction of employee exposure to known, evident or suspected occupational health and safety risks by attempting to lower exposure levels as quickly as governmental regulation, technology and economic feasibility allow.

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

Final responsibility for the comprehensive accident prevention and control program rests with management. Management must provide direction for the program by establishing achievable goals along with planning and organization of guidelines and procedures that determine accountability. The following list assigns responsibilities to upper management for the variety of positions at ULM (note, these responsibilities are not all inclusive):

The President and Vice Presidents shall:

1. Have responsibility for the comprehensive safety program

2. Determine and provide funding to eliminate unsafe conditions and provide personal protection to the employee

3. Coordinate safety policy in accordance with recommendations by the Safety Committee

4. Actively participate in the implementation of the safety program by review and response to reports, inspections and audits; assure contracts for projects are timely and directed to the most efficient and economical solutions of the problems at hand, and take a leadership role in application of goals set for the program.

1. Hold at least four safety meetings annually

2. Provide for periodic self-inspections in their areas of responsibility utilizing the appropriate inspection form as detailed in "Inspections"

3. Have accidents resulting in personal injury to personnel for whom they are responsible investigated to determine cause and possible corrective actions and submit a copy of the report along with the accident report to the Safety Office

4. Cooperate with the Safety Officer when called upon to do so.

5. Appoint a College/Department Safety Committee with committee Chairman insuring minutes are taken and recorded.

1. Develop and Implement a comprehensive environmental health and safety program with the intent of providing a safe and healthful work place and campus

2. Advise the President and operating management of methods to achieve goals

3. Review accident reports and trends to determine corrective actions

4. Review and recommend changes or amendments to the safety plan periodically

5. Recommend necessary actions to department heads to comply with requirements and regulations.

6. Ensure proper and accurate documentation of the Safety Program.

The University Safety Committee shall:

1. Assist the Environmental Health and Safety Officer in reviewing safety problems, developing policies and methods for resolving the problems and in developing procedures for achieving established goals

2. Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety education/training programs designed to create and maintain an interest in job safety

3. Assist in coordinating the efforts of the Safety Committees of all areas and departments throughout the campus

4. Review reports of significant accidents and/or property damage incidents

5. Develop suggestions and recommendations for the correction of hazardous acts, working conditions and/or unsafe work practices

6. Review and revise as necessary new or existing policies to minimize unsafe acts or procedures.

1. Prioritizes work orders and projects submitted for correction of unsafe conditions and resulting from all safety inspections

2. Establish and maintain a schedule and recording procedure for an all-inclusive preventive maintenance program for all systems, equipment and vehicles

3. Provide necessary training for maintenance and custodial personnel to ensure proper certification and licensing for required activities and equipment.

1. As key figures in the ULM safety Program, each shall have a working knowledge of safety principles and rules applicable to their area of responsibility

2. Schedule and conduct inspections of areas of responsibility to identify and correct unsafe conditions and procedures or acts which might be harmful to the worker and/or ULM property. Retain the inspection and send a copy to the Safety Office.

3. Take necessary action (work orders, requests for assistance, etc.,) to correct unsafe acts and conditions which could include work stoppage

4. Maintain a clean workplace and assure participation of all employees

5. Assure injured employees receive medical attention

6. Conduct or schedule safety meetings for employees no less than once each quarter. Topic/Attendance sheets will be retained

7. Investigate accidents to determine causes and initiate possible corrective actions to preclude recurrence. Prepare documentation and forward a copy to the Safety Office

8. Maintain a copy of the ULM Safety Manual and assure that every employee is aware of it

9. Provide safety training for each new employee and for current employees who must perform new tasks or operate new equipment or whose safety performance is not satisfactory. Training shall include correct work procedures, proper use of equipment and availability of assistance, when needed. Records will be maintained for each employee

10. Request assistance from the Safety Officer when necessary.

1. As a condition of employment, observe and comply with applicable safety rules and practices

2. When practical, take initiative to correct unsafe conditions and acts or, if it cannot be accomplished, report them to the supervisor

3. Utilize personal protective equipment as needed and/or required

4. Make suggestions or inquiries which might improve or modify presently accepted work practices

5. Request assistance from the immediate supervisor and refer to the Safety Office when all other avenues to correct hazardous conditions have been exhausted.

It is essential that all workers are aware of safe practices and include them in all activities on or off the job. All University employees, as a condition of employment, must abide by and follow all safety regulations and standards, written or implied, for the purpose of protecting the individual from bodily injury and preventing damage to equipment and property. As noted, the following items are general in nature and not all inclusive of every situation or condition.

1. Smoking is prohibited in all campus buildings except those specific areas designated by signs as "SMOKING PERMITTED" which have physical barriers and ventilation areas. Candles may not be burned in the work place.

2. Possession of unauthorized firearms, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or unauthorized medically prescribed drugs will not be tolerated in the work place.

3. Personal protective equipment will be used when required to protect the worker from potential hazards that cannot be eliminated. Faculty, Foremen and Supervisors will ensure availability and proper use.

4. Accidents, near misses, injuries, and property damage should be reported to the supervisor immediately, regardless of the severity of the incident. The supervisor will see that injured employees receive medical attention and that all necessary reports are completed.

5. Employees will inspect their individual work stations before each shift to ensure that equipment, tools and vehicles are maintained in proper working condition. Any situation which requires a work order will be brought to the attention of the supervisor who will take necessary steps to see that it is done.

6. Whenever there is a question concerning the safety of a task or working condition, the supervisor should be consulted before commencing the task.

7. Proper lifting techniques will be used and workers will get assistance when a load is too heavy or too bulky for one person to handle safely. Workers should never attempt to catch a falling object.

8. All drivers will utilize restraint belts and will not start the vehicle until all passengers are properly buckled.

9. Vehicle operators must be trained and properly certified or licensed. They must follow all state and local codes when operating University vehicles or equipment on or off campus. Riders in the back of pickups/trucks must be seated within the bed and not on sides of the vehicle.

10. Workers will report any unsafe working conditions or acts to their supervisors.

11. Horseplay and fighting will not be tolerated.

12. Workers should report the use of any prescription and/or non-prescription medicine/drug use to their supervisor. Some drugs or medicines may cause the user to react in a manner which is not normal, become drowsy or possibly unconscious. Some medicines may cause a person to be incapable of operating a vehicle or machinery.

13. Employees working alone in potentially hazardous operations including the performance of any experiments or who work late at night must have someone within contact distance and should notify the department head or supervisor during the work day or the University Police after working hours.

14. Workers should maintain an orderly work environment and work procedures. All tools and equipment should be stored in designated places. Scrap and waste material should be put in a designated refuse container.

15. Employees should know safety rules and emergency procedures regarding first aid, evacuation routes, and fire department notification procedures for their work location.

Employees who ignore or do not comply with safety requirements may receive disciplinary action and, in extreme circumstances, may have their employment terminated.

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