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Health and Safety (D-17)

Original Implementation: February 11, 1977
Last Revision:  October 19, 2006

I.          PURPOSE

This document will establish for Stephen F. Austin State University the policy for the protection of the University's human and material resources and the maintenance of a safe and healthful environment complementary to the University's needs and the accomplishment of its goals.

II.         SCOPE

The intention of this policy statement is to create among all members of the University community an awareness of and a commitment to an effective safety program. The primary concern of this program will be the safety and well-being of the students, faculty, staff and visitors. The program will be promoted through training, identification of hazards, and initiation of loss-control measures aimed at the overall reduction of accidents and risk.

III.       COMMITTEE

Responsibility and coordination of various aspects of the University's safety program is vested in the University Safety  Committee that reports to the President of the University. The Committee will be composed of the Hazardous Materials Officer, the Chief of University Police, the Radiation Safety Officer, and other faculty and staff members appointed by the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The Director of University Health Services, the Director, Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management, the University Safety Officer, and the Assistant Safety Officer acting as the Workers Compensation Representative are ex officio members.

IV.       COMMITTEE RESPONSBILITIES

  1. Will meet quarterly or at necessary intervals.

  2. Act as a clearinghouse and consultative organization for the University safety and health problems.

  3. Act as an advisory body reporting to the President on the status of the University's safety control activities.

V.        The Risk Management for Texas State Agencies Guidelines, published by the State Office of Risk Management, is the program document for the University's safety program except as noted below. Responsibilities are assigned to individuals at appropriate levels of authority and expertise as follows.

  1. The responsibility for physical safety, fire protection, occupational health, emergency procedures, risk management, safety training, workers' compensation, and engineering controls is assigned to the University Director, Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management (EHS&RM), who reports to the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The University Director, EHS&RM will assume the duties of Accident Prevention Coordinator. The Assistant University Safety Officer acting as the Workers Compensation Coordinator  shall report to the University Director, EHS&RM.

  2. The responsibility for radiological safety, including the purchase, transportation, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials is assigned to the Radiation Safety Officer who reports to the President of the University.  The Radiation Safety Officer will assume the responsibility for the Radioactive Materials Management Program to assure compliance with the conditions of the license/registrations issued by the Texas Bureau of Radiation Control, Texas Department of Health.

  3. The responsibility for control of hazardous materials, including use, storage, and disposal of regulated hazardous materials, as well as the responsibility for compliance with the Texas Hazard Communication Act, is assigned to the Director, EHS&RM who reports to the Vice President of Finance and Administration and the Hazardous Material Coordinator who reports to the President of the University.

  4. The responsibility for campus security, traffic control, criminal investigation, and civil order is assigned to the Chief of University Police who reports to the Vice President for University Affairs.

  5. The responsibility for the maintenance of the health of students and the initial care of the faculty and staff members suffering from minor occupational injuries or illness is assigned to the Director of University Health Services, who reports to the Vice President for University Affairs.

VI.       SUPPORT

In addition to the aforementioned and specifically-assigned responsibilities, it shall be the general responsibility of all SFA employees and students to keep themselves informed of conditions affecting their health and safety, participate in training programs provided by their supervisors and  EHS&RM,  adhere to healthy and safe practices in their workplace, classroom, and laboratories, and advise their supervisor or instructors of serious hazards in the workplace, classroom or laboratory.    

Management and supervisors are responsible for protecting the health and safety of employees and students under their supervision by implementing SFA health and safety policies, practices, and programs, by ensuring workplaces and equipment are safe and well maintained, and by ensuring that workplaces or laboratories are in compliance with federal, state and local regulations. They are also responsible for the education of their employees and students in regard to proper job procedures and recognized hazards before making task assignments.

VII.      IMPLEMENTATION

In all University activities and endeavors, safety is the first concern. The members of the University community shall comply with all federal, state, and local statutes, rules, regulations and codes by which the University is bound. They shall also attempt to comply with the spirit of any non-binding requirement which would further the University's intent to provide and maintain a safe and healthful environment in which to work, study, and live.

Source of Authority:  President

Cross Reference:  None

Contact For Revision:  President, Director, Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management.

Forms:  None