Safety Administration and Responsibilities
Safety Committee
The University Safety Committee has responsibility for review of policies and procedures, and responsibility for monitoring compliance with policies and procedures. The Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the Vice President for Finance
as a line of communication for the university community regarding items of safety and security,
for reviewing safety and security concerns brought to its attention,
for recommending proposals to reduce or eliminate such concerns,
to promote safety consciousness, and
to increase proficiency in safe practices throughout the university.
Composition
The Committee will be comprised of representatives from the significant campus community constituencies. The members of the committee selected because of related job responsibilities are as follows:
Vice President for Finance, Chair
Director of Residence Life
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Director of Physical Plant
Director of Human Resources
Director of Counseling Center
Athletic Trainer
Additional members may be added to the committee, as appropriate, potentially representing the following constituencies:
Student representatives (appointed by the SGA)
Student activities, intramurals
Responsibilities
The Committee is responsible for
the development, approval and review of written policies and procedures designed to enhance safety and security within the campus buildings and grounds,
monitoring compliance with written policies and procedures,
review and monitoring of the system of accident/incident reporting that includes a mechanism for investigating and evaluating all occurrences reported, for documenting the review of all such review of plans for safety and security training,
promotion of safety and security awareness,
establishment of methods to measure the results of the safety program and periodic analysis to determine its effectiveness, and
establish procedures for handling safety recommendations.
Meetings
The Committee will schedule regular meetings quarterly, and will schedule additional meetings as necessary. Agenda for the regular meetings will include the following:
review the status of previous health and safety recommendations
review of accident/incident reports and other scheduled reports
review of training completed and planned
other matters brought by committee members for consideration
Reports
A listing and schedule of reports reviewed by the committee will be developed. The listing may include reports such as crime statistics, reports of fire alarms/drills, fire department building inspection reports, physical plant safety system maintenance reports, laboratory reports, workers’ compensation accident reports, etc. reports, and subsequent actions taken as a result of such review,
Campus Safety Coordinator
The Director of Physical Plant serves as the safety/security coordinator for the campus. That includes responsibility for compliance with local fire codes, OSHA regulations, other safety regulations, and supervision of security services. Responsibility for safety and security in certain specific areas is shared with other personnel as described below.
Laboratories and Classrooms
The Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) is responsible for maintaining and updating the institution’s Chemical Hygiene Plan. The person acts as an advisor to the Science Center Committee on basic safety considerations. It is the responsibility of the Science Center Committee to determine basic safety protocols that will be followed in the Science Center Laboratories.
Residence Halls
The Director of Residence Life has responsibility for providing a safe and secure environment in the residence halls. The Residence Life staff provides safety and security awareness training for students, and maintains and monitors safety programs and policies within the residence halls.
Bloodborne Pathogen Control Program
The Director Health Services and the Director of Human Resources share responsibility for oversight of the Bloodborne Pathogens Control Program for the University.
Threat Assessment Team
The Vice President for Student Life will lead/chair the Threat Assessment Team. It is a multi-disciplinary team and a component of the campus emergency management system. The primary responsibility of the team is to address and respond to situations involving threats or acts of violence on campus.
Security Information
Responsibilities
Harrisonburg residents enjoy a relatively low crime rate. However, it is the responsibility of every member of the campus community to take reasonable precautions for maintaining personal safety as well as the safety of others. The university is committed to educating students and providing information to assist resident students regarding security issues and concerns. Prevention is the preferred method of handling security issues.
Information and Communications
In order to help educate and communicate security concerns on campus, students living in the residence halls will have floor meetings where the CA should discuss campus security information and review common sense strategies for staying safe. This would be a great bulletin board topic at the beginning of the year.
Security Alerts
All students are encouraged to sign up with EMU Alerts email/text messaging system. A Security Alert e-mail or text will be sent to everyone in the EMU community as soon as possible after an incident which involves danger or threat to students. Postings of security alerts will be put on the Critical Information Alert on the EMU webpage. If needed, signs will be posted at the entrance of all residence halls as well.
Personnel
Director of Security: Eldon Kurtz 8:00 am-5:00 pm Ext. 4390
after hours 578-3627
Security Officer: extension 4911 (4:30 pm - 7:00 am)
Or 432-4911
EMU obtains security services through the Admiral Security in Richmond. The security officers make rounds to ensure that all exterior residence hall doors are locked and not propped open. Persons unaccompanied by residents of that hall will be asked to vacate the main lounges at 1:00 am for security reasons. Presentation of ID cards to the lockup staff may be required when persons are encountered on campus after closing hours. Ideally, security personnel will be called by an AC/RD or CA on his/her cellular phone. However, the cellular phone number is published and available for all students/faculty/staff when needed.
When to Contact Security
Contact security personnel to report suspicious persons, theft, unusual situations or potentially dangerous behaviors by students or nonstudents, and/or illegal activity.
Emergency Information & Procedures
In addition to security personnel, you may use the following emergency numbers:
Police/Fire and Rescue Squad :9-911
Area Coordinators/Residence Directors:
Elmwood - Ext. 4562 Maplewood - Ext. 4563 Northlawn - Ext. 4301
Cedarwood - Ext. 4561 Parkwoods - Ext. 6426 Hillside - Ext. 6024
AC/RD Cellular Phone 24-Hour Emergency 476-4578
Director of Security: Eldon Kurtz Ext. 4390, or 578-3627
Director of Housing & Residence Life: Jan Kauffman Ext. 4128, or 908-0152
Asst Dir of Housing & Residence Life: Cindy Voth Ext. 4671, or 383-7118
Vice President for Student Life: Ken Nafziger Ext. 4135, or 421-6158
Safety Inspection Checklist
The following list is not all inclusive, but it provides a general guide for checking compliance with safety standards. Other checklists may be developed to assist in self-inspection of particular areas. The following pages provide a basic level of safety awareness and checklist suitable for all employees.
Safety Inspection Checklist
Life Safety
There shall be clearly identified, unobstructed exits for use by all building occupants.
Exit signs, emergency lighting, fire alarm systems and fire suppression equipment shall be adequate in number, conveniently located and shall be kept in good, working order.
Fire doors shall be kept closed unless held open by means approved by the State Fire Marshall.
Flammable materials shall be stored in approved rooms or cabinets and not in exit passages.
Electrical Safety
Electrical circuits shall be locked in a de-energized state and identified as such before work is performed on any component of the circuit.
All wiring systems shall have grounded conductors.
Electrical connections in systems greater than 50 volts shall be in approved enclosures to protect from accidental contact.
Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained around all electrical equipment.
All electrical circuits shall be identified.
Hand Tools, Portable Powered Tools and Machinery
Tools shall have no defects. Powered tools and machinery shall be equipped with ground wires or approved insulation.
Guarding devices shall remain on operating equipment. Cutting edges, pulleys, belts, wheels gears and other exposed moving.
Parts of equipment shall be guarded. Removal of a guard is an unsafe act.
The immediate area around tools and machinery shall be clean and free of debris. Work area lighting shall be adequate.
Material flow shall be free of hazards and effective cut-out devices shall be used when needed.
Walking and Working Surfaces
Spilled liquids and particles shall be removed as soon as possible from walking surfaces. Post “WET FLOOR” signs/cones as soon as spills are identified.
Electrical cords and other tripping hazards shall not be located in doorways, aisles or landings.
Do not jump from truck beds, platforms, scaffolds, or other elevated places.
Floor openings, hatchways and manholes shall be guarded with secure covers or physical barricades.
Platforms higher than 30 inches above existing grade shall be guarded.
Ladders and scaffolds shall be maintained in good working order and shall be used according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
Material Transportation, Handling and Storage
All chemicals shall be identified by labels. Chemicals shall be stored in a safe, compatible container and assembled by class of hazard in approved, easily accessible areas.
Material safety data sheets shall be available to materials handlers and emergency personnel. Personal protection shall be used in accordance with material safety data sheets.
Personal protection including approved protective eye wear, headgear, respirators, gloves, clothing or shoes shall be worn when there is a significant risk of injury or disease during material handling. The Director of Physical Plant shall be consulted when such a risk is suspected and proper personal protection is not known.
Materials shall be moved with caution using manufacturer recommended equipment. Large or heavy materials shall be moved with forklifts, dollies or other appropriate equipment. Hazardous chemicals shall be carried in containers capable of holding spills. Sharp edges shall be guarded in transport and storage.
Potentially-hazardous Atmospheres or Confined Spaces
Any atmosphere containing poisonous, toxic, radioactive or infectious aerosols, liquids, gases, vapors or particles shall be purged or diluted to provide safe air supply to those occupying the space. If adequate ventilation is not possible, occupants shall use approved respiratory protection.
Persons entering spaces containing hazardous atmospheres or areas surrounded by surfaces limiting escape shall wear approved safety lines supervised by at least one attendant trained in rescue technique and outfitted in appropriate gear.
Motor Vehicles, Heavy Equipment and Personal Hoists
Safety checks shall be performed on all motorized, personal transporting equipment prior to operation. Inspections of components shall be in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendation. Unsafe vehicles shall not be operated until repaired or replaced.
Build-in personal protection devices including seat belts shall be kept in good working order and shall be utilized by operators.
Use of motorized vehicles by untrained or unlicensed persons is forbidden. Operators shall be alert, sober and free of incapacitating drugs.
Process Safety
Work and learning processes shall be conducted in a safe manner. Procedures used in the shop, work site, kitchen, laboratory, studio, office or classroom shall be planned with safety in mind.
Safe procedures for cleaning, lifting, welding, cutting, brazing, burning, trenching and excavating are available by contacting the Director of Physical Plant.