Section: General Administration

Area: Risk Management 

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1. PURPOSE

This document establishes a policy designed to promote, create and maintain a safe, secure, caring and compassionate university environment.

2. POLICY

2.1. The System will strive to provide employees and students with a safe university environment.

2.2. The System will comply with applicable health and safety regulations.

2.3. All departments will work together to promote a safe and secure university environment.

2.4. Employees are expected to be aware of the potential hazards in their work areas.

2.5. Students are expected to be aware of the potential hazards in their classrooms, laboratories and residential environments.

2.6. No employment, academic or research objective is so important that it will be pursued at the expense of safety.

2.7. Each employee and student has a responsibility in preventing accidents and injuries.

2.8. Managers are responsible for providing job-specific safety training.

2.9. Employees will follow the directions of their supervisors and practice the principles taught in safety training.

2.10. Students who participate in laboratory activities will receive the appropriate lab safety training prior to lab participation and use appropriate required personal protective equipment and safety instruments and/or tools. (e.g., eye protection).

2.11. Contractors performing work on System property will be required to comply with health and safety rules and applicable regulations.

2.12. The risk manager at each university will direct the loss prevention program. 

2.13. In order to promote a safe work environment and to ensure that the normal operations of the universities and teaching centers run smoothly, minor children may visit their parents in the workplace only on an infrequent basis. Such visits should be brief and should be planned to avoid disruption in the workplace. When on campus, children may not be left unsupervised or in the charge of others. Exceptions may be granted by supervisors for extenuating circumstances only on a temporary and infrequent basis for brief periods of time. Sick children may not be brought to work. The System universities may allow children in the workplace for special programs and events, working with their respective departments to ensure the safety of all concerned.

3. PROCEDURES

3.1.  Each University will develop and maintain in-house safety programs.

3.2. The department hiring the contractors will ensure that contractors working on campus comply with System health and safety policies.

3.3. Each University will identify potential hazards and ensure correction in a timely manner. 

3.4. Appropriate safety training will be provided to each new employee during orientation.

3.5. Safety training will be a functional part of the safety program. Such programs may address the following:

a. General/Personal Safety
b. Workplace Safety
c. Research Safety
d. Emergency Preparedness
e. Crime Prevention

3.6. Necessary reports regarding safety matters will be prepared by the appropriate safety department and will be presented to the university’s chief financial officer as needed.

3.7. Each University will maintain reports of accidents and injuries and will present copies of reports as needed to the University’s chief financial officer.

Issued: 03/09/1994
Last Reviewed/Revised: 09/09/2026
Responsible Office(s): Finance