An effective accident prevention program is based on achieving and maintaining correct job performance. When people are trained to do their jobs properly, they will accomplish tasks safely. Safety training develops the desire, the knowledge, and the actions necessary to prevent accidents. Experience has proven that persons who have learned to recognize and correct unsafe conditions and practices measurably improve their chances of averting the pain, inconvenience, and economic loss due to accidental injury. It is important, therefore, that all University departments, supervisors, and instructors: 1) know how to train employees and students in the safe and proper way of doing their assigned jobs, and; 2) know how to supervise employees and students.
Although training and education cannot be separated completely, safety education is broader in scope and covers subjects not normally included in a regular training program. This chapter deals only with safety training and is concerned with the goal of educating employees so that they are made aware of, and instructed to follow, the standards and procedures established by this Manual. Students in academic pursuits also should receive necessary safety training in the areas of their chosen careers.
Training is a primary way of influencing human behavior. A well-planned training program not only trains employees, but also helps to change other environmental factors and influences so that they will complement the effect of training.
No department, supervisor or instructor shall assume that a newly hired, newly assigned, or reassigned employee or student thoroughly knows all the safe procedures relative to his/her new job. The employee must always be trained in appropriate safety procedures.
5.2 DEPARTMENT TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
Every University department or operating unit is responsible for providing specific safety training to its employees and/or students. Each employee or student must be given sufficient instruction with respect to the job assignment that enables them to understand the task(s) to be performed and the predictable hazards that are to be avoided. General safety training is defined as that which is necessary for employees to be able to work safely in the total University environment; and is provided to departments on request by RM/EHS. Specific safety training is that training which is necessary to safely perform a special job. Both kinds of training are necessary if accidents are to be avoided. Departments are responsible for full participation by their employees in required training programs.
Since the immediate supervisor or instructor can most effectively provide training, it is recommended that departments require supervisors/instructors to train employees or students how to perform job tasks in a correct and safe manner. Supervisors and instructors are specifically assigned the responsibility to provide detailed safety training for all employees and students who are required to use hazardous machinery such as that found in woodworking shops, vehicle maintenance shops, metal working shops, laboratories, etc. In addition, each supervisor and/or instructor should prepare written safety instructions for operating all hazardous equipment and provide a copy of the instructions to each employee or student using that piece of equipment. Further, a list of the hazardous equipment and/or operations that each employee/student has been trained to operate should be signed by that employee/student and kept on file in the department or shop office.
Specific safety training should be provided at initial hire, periodically thereafter (at least annually), and when there is a change in operations or personnel.
All new employees or students must be made aware of all immediate safety work considerations during their first day of employment. Also, specific safety and health policies and standards of this Manual pertaining to their work assignment are to be personally reviewed by employees and/or students before being allowed to begin work in a new job assignment. To determine on-going training needs, supervisors should observe employees frequently to see that short cuts or violations are not occurring.
General safety meetings or training sessions should be conducted a minimum of twice a year, or more often in hazardous environments, to assure that safe practices and procedures are being followed.
5.4 RM/EHS TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibility for providing generalized safety-training programs as requested, and for coordinating and assisting departments in their specialized safety training programs, are functions of Risk Management/Environmental Health & Safety (RM/EHS).
Departments or any operating unit may obtain the following assistance from RM/EHS in developing a program of training, orientation, or information for their employees:
1. General safety training classes of approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours each may be provided for a variety of safety related subjects. Films, lectures, demonstrations, and group discussions may be utilized as training aids in these classes.
2. Special assistance is provided for the avoidance of specific health and safety hazards unique to particular jobs or departments. Consultation meetings between the involved department and RM/EHS may be requested. These department programs may be an elaborate series of training sessions or just a brief talk.
It is the responsibility of all University administrators, department chairs, supervisors, and faculty, to be aware of and to follow the emergency procedures established in this chapter and the university-wide emergency plans administered by the Department of Public Safety. It is also their responsibility to ensure that all employees and students under their direction know and comply with these procedures. In order to minimize injuries and property damage, it is the intention of the University that these published emergency procedures and plans be followed in all critical situations.
The primary system for handling any kind of on-campus emergency is to telephone the Department of Public Safety at ext. 6600.
The Public Safety officers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week and are professionally prepared to respond to any type of campus emergency. For non-emergency situations call 770-836-6748. Risk Management/Environmental Health & Safety personnel are on duty or on call 24 hours a day. During normal business hours, they can be reached at 770-838-3277; after normal business hours, contact Public Safety for their assistance in contacting the appropriate safety/maintenance person on call.
DO NOT CALL OFF-CAMPUS RESOURCES YOURSELF - CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
The quickest and easiest way to obtain professional help for any type of emergency is to call Public Safety at ext. 6600. Prepare to give your name, location, and the nature of the problem. For medical emergencies, if you are trained in first aid, offer as much assistance as necessary and stay with the victim until emergency responders arrive. See section 6.11 at the end of this chapter for specific numbers.
1. When calling, stay calm and carefully explain the problem and location to the dispatcher. If the emergency number is busy, call the campus operator at 770-836-6500.
2. Notify your supervisor or instructor of the emergency and begin to take the appropriate action warranted by the situation.
All employees shall:
1. Be aware of all the marked exits from your area and building.
2. Become familiar with posted building evacuation maps, primary & secondary routes of egress, designated meeting places, and the locations of fire extinguishers and pull stations.
3. Recognize the evacuation alarm in your building - often loud continuous bell or horn or a high-pitched warbling tone.
4. Know how to activate the building alarm system by pulling the handle on one of the red boxes located in the hallway or near the exits, if available.
When the building evacuation alarm is sounded, or when directed to leave by Public Safety:
1. Walk quickly to the nearest marked exit and ask others to do the same.
2. Assist the handicapped and injured in exiting the building or reaching areas of safe refuge.
3. Once outside, immediately notify emergency responders if any handicapped/injured people are waiting in an area of safe refuge inside the building, then proceed to the designated meeting area or if not designated, a clear area that is at least 150 feet from the affected building. Keep walkways and streets clear for emergency vehicles. Report your status to your supervisor.
4. Without re-entering the building, be available to assist Public Safety, the fire department and RM/EHS personnel in their attempts to determine that everyone has been evacuated safely.
5. Keep clear of the Command Post unless you have important information to report.
6. Do not return to the building until you are told to do so by the Public Safety, the fire department, or RM/EHS.