Chapter 4

UNIVERSITY SAFETY PROGRAMS

Section 1. Statement of Policy and Responsibilities

A. The University of Washington shall create, maintain, and enhance a safe and healthful environment for all individuals associated with the institution, including students, faculty, staff employees, hospital patients, and visitors. Environmental health and safety activities and procedures shall be administered so as to achieve the highest ethical and professional standards in accord with legal and contractual requirements. Accident prevention measures shall be integrated in all academic and operational activities.

Each dean, director, chairperson, and supervisor is responsible for safety performance in their respective units. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety will provide technical assistance in establishing procedures and monitoring performance in activities involving public health and safety and environmental protection.

Because of the personal nature of safety performance, everyone with supervisory responsibility will be expected to directly participate in the supervision of programs to assure that safe working conditions are maintained. Faculty and staff shall be directly responsible for their own safety, for the safety of students and employees under their supervision; and for the safety of their fellow employees. This responsibility can neither be transferred nor delegated. Supervisors shall provide training for accident prevention, as necessary, for those working under their directions.

B. The Board of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for insuring to the University that a broad base of professional judgment and skill of the highest order is provided to guide the University in protecting the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community. The Board shall be vested with such authority as is necessary to fulfill its responsibilities, and shall perform, among others, the following functions:

1. Formulate and review, on a continuing basis, all University policies and procedures pertaining to personal safety and health, public safety and public health, and pollution control.
2. Assure that a continuous performance audit is maintained of the activities exercised by the University for environmental health and safety.
3. Serve as a referral board for all advisory and administrative committees related to matters of environmental health and safety.
4. Act as a board of appeal from decisions of environmental health and safety advisory and administrative committees.

C. University departments or units that have special assignments with respect to environmental health and safety programs have the responsibilities enumerated below:

1. The mission of the Environmental Health and Safety Department is to assure that adequate programs are provided for compliance with appropriate codes and regulations and for the protection of the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community.
   Environmental Health and Safety cooperates with academic and service units by identifying health and safety problems; establishing standards; evaluating and reporting on the status of compliance with health and safety standards, codes, and regulations; providing technical services; recommending and implementing necessary modifications; recording, evaluating, and reporting accident experience; and developing and managing training resources.
   In emergency situations and when required to do so by codes, regulations, or licensure agreement, the Director of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety is authorized to take preventive, investigative, and remedial action. The Director or an authorized representative may immediately halt or otherwise control any practices or conditions where a danger exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm.
2. The University Police Department is responsible for matters relating to vehicular and pedestrian traffic, general security, and welfare of users of campus grounds and buildings.
3. The Office of Risk Management is responsible for self insurance, purchased insurance, and risk avoidance matters for the protection of the University from unanticipated losses and for evaluating alternative funding mechanisms for the worker's compensation program.

Executive Order No. 55 of the President, March 30, 1977; revised March 1981, April 1994

Section 2. Department of Environmental Health and Safety

A. Programs. Special environmental health and safety programs have been developed by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety to provide continuous surveillance over health hazards and to coordinate University environmental concerns with those of the surrounding community. Detailed descriptions of the following programs are contained in the Health, Safety, and Security section of the Operations Manual:

1. Occupational Safety and Health Requirements
2. Laboratory Safety for Biohazardous Materials and Chemical Carcinogens
3. Recombinant DNA Research
4. Hazardous Materials and Equipment Evaluation
5. Accident, Injury and Illness Reporting
6. Diving Safety
7. Pressure Systems Safety
8. Hazardous Wastes
9. Radiation Safety
10. Pest and Pesticide Control
11. Food and Water Protection
12. Pollution Control
13. Fire Safety
14. Occupational Health

B. Reporting Dangerous Conditions. It is important to continuously remove, correct, or minimize dangerous environmental conditions. All members of the University community can help in the job of primary prevention by the timely reporting of hazardous conditions to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.

C. Reporting Accidents, Injuries or Illnesses. To comply with occupational safety and health regulations, support employee's claims for worker's compensation and to provide information for processing general liability claims, reports of injuries to students, faculty, staff, and visitors shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. In addition to the legal necessity for reporting and recording injuries, such reports initiate corrective actions and prevent similar accidents in the future. Accidental Injury Report forms are available from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Policy or procedural questions can be answered by the Environmental Safety Officer.

AI, March 1981

Section 3. University of Washington Police Department

A. Programs. The University Police Department is staffed with personnel trained in police and security procedures and first-aid treatment. The Department provides security patrols of buildings and grounds, enforces University traffic and parking regulations, establishes first-aid and security measures for public events, and operates a twenty-four hour communication system to arrange for first-aid treatment and such emergency services as ambulance, municipal fire-fighting equipment, or response by police officers. Departments are encouraged to contact the University Police for assistance in the establishment of security measures for large public events and to report violations of laws and regulations.

B. Reporting Procedures

1. Reporting Emergencies. Emergencies such as fire, explosion, and illness or injury which require immediate response should be reported to the UNIVERSITY POLICE EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER posted on your telephone. To insure that the emergency will be handled properly, it is emphasized that the individual calling should supply the operator with as much information as possible, i.e., exact location and nature of emergency. Upon notification, an officer trained in first-aid will be dispatched to the scene. Procedures have been established with agencies providing emergency services under which the University Police will meet responding emergency vehicles at pre-designated entrance stations and escort such equipment to the site of the emergency.
2. Reporting Vehicle Accidents
   (a) Vehicle accidents occurring off University property must be reported to the police agency having jurisdiction (city, country or state patrol). This applies to University-owned vehicles as well as private vehicles.
   (b) All vehicle accidents occurring on University property must be reported to the University Police Department, which has been authorized to receive accident reports. Drivers of University-owned vehicles involved in an accident must file an insurance company accident report with the University Police regardless of where the accident occurred or the extent of damage or injury sustained. Appropriate forms should be found in each vehicle or may be obtained from the University Police.
   (c) If an injury or death results from an accident involving a University-owned vehicle, the University Police must be notified immediately. The University will accept such telephone calls "collect."
   (d) In the event that immediate response is required for the care of the injured or removal of vehicles, the University Police should be contacted through its emergency telephone number, 222.

Section 4. Fire Prevention and Protection

A. Programs

1. The Environmental Health and Safety Department is responsible for the overall fire safety and fire protection program for the University (with supplemental services provided by the Physical Plant Fire Prevention Division). Fire prevention requires adherence to recognized Codes and Standards with respect to storage, handling, and use of flammable liquids, hazardous chemicals, and gases; storage of combustible materials; means of exit; housekeeping practices; and overcrowding of classrooms and auditoria. The following Codes and Standards are applicable to life safety and fire protection at the University and must be adhered to: Uniform Fire Code, Uniform Building Code, or equivalent codes of the local political jurisdiction, National Electrical Code, State Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Code.
   Questions concerning fire prevention measures should be directed to the Fire Safety Engineer.
   Environmental Health and Safety will also provide group instruction in fire prevention and use of fire extinguishers when requested.
2. The Fire Prevention Division of the Physical Plant is responsible for the maintenance and operation readiness of fire protection equipment and devices including fire alarm and sprinkler systems. Fire extinguishers which have been used or are believed to be inoperative or missing should be reported promptly to the Fire Prevention Division.

B. Reporting Procedures. All members of the University community can help reduce fire hazards by promptly reporting dangerous conditions or changes in facilities or programs conducted in University buildings which may require the institution of revised fire prevention measures. Emergencies such as fire, explosions, personal injuries, or suspected problems such as smoke, gas leakages, etc., should be reported immediately to the UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER posted on your telephone. For routine fire safety service call the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. For servicing of fire extinguishers call Physical Plant, Fire Prevention Division.

AI, March 1981

Section 5. Vehicle Safety

A. It is the policy of the University that all University- owned vehicles will be maintained in safe operating condition. The University further charges all who drive University vehicles with responsibility for the safe operation of vehicles and strict adherence to traffic laws.

B. University-owned and leased vehicles, available to authorized faculty, staff, and students, are provided through the Motor Pool. For regulations and procedures see Operations Manual D 53.2

AI, March 1972, revised July 1977