I. Introduction

Welcome to the University of Kentucky. The skills and talents you bring to UK are vital to our mission of teaching, research, and service for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. One of the keys to accomplishing that mission is a safe and healthy campus environment. The Division of Environmental Health and Safety

(EH&S) is charged with providing UK employees with educational programs, technical assistance, and other services in these areas.

This Employee Safety Handbook is intended for all UK employees, full time and part time, regular and temporary, and all other UK employment categories (STEPS, student workers, etc.). It has been developed to provide you, the employee, with answers to general questions you might have concerning environmental health and safety in the workplace. It is important, however, that you and your supervisor discuss site-specific policies and programs for your department. Your supervisor must inform you of the procedures and required training to do your job safely and in compliance with applicable environmental regulations. (There is no separate safety manual for “supervisors.” The duties of supervisors are found throughout this Handbook.)

The University’s policies, procedures, manuals, and many other applicable resources may be found on the EH&S web pages or by contacting EH&S directly.

Remember “UK Safety begins with YOU!”

EH&S Policy Statement

The University of Kentucky intends to provide a safe and healthy environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors. The University strives to play a leadership role within the Commonwealth involving environmental stewardship, health protection and safety standards and in its compliance with laws and regulations relating to the environment, health and safety.

Health and Safety Responsibility Statement

The University of Kentucky adopts the following objectives in order to help meet its goal of providing a safe and healthful campus environment for students, employees, patients, and visitors. Meeting these objectives shall be the responsibility of everyone at the University. The EH&S division will provide oversight and report on progress toward meeting these objectives.

1. All activities at the University shall be conducted in accordance with environmental, health, and safety regulations. Activities not conducted in compliance with this objective are designated as "unsafe acts" and are not permitted by the University for any purpose or under any circumstances.
2. Personal exposure to chemicals and other health hazards shall be kept as low as reasonably achievable. This goal will be met by providing appropriate work practices, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment.
3. The University's goal for all preventable occupational injuries and illnesses is zero. Procedures and practices consistent with this approach will be implemented and continuously improved.

Environmental Responsibility Statement

The University of Kentucky is committed to developing and maintaining a sustainable and environmentally responsible mode of operation, within the context of its educational mission, fiscal constraints, and responsibilities to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the local community. This commitment to environmental responsibility is intended both to educate the University community about environmental issues and to minimize, to the extent practicable, the University's impact on the environment.

EH&S Programs and Responsibilities

Division of Environmental Health and Safety

The Division of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for development, oversight and management of environmental health and safety programs that protect the environment, provide safe and healthy conditions for work and study, and comply with applicable laws and regulations. Division staff will function as consultants to deans, directors, heads of academic and administrative units, other staff members, and students in all areas of environmental health and safety. In addition to consultation, the division will conduct health, safety and environmental investigations as necessary and upon request, will assist departmental

safety committees in the development of intra-departmental safety programs, and participate in health and safety training and education projects.

The Division of Environmental Health and Safety will provide technical assistance in determining existing or potential health and safety hazards. Assistance can be provided through consultations, code interpretations and regulatory review either for existing operations and facilities or for those which are being planned. Additionally, the division will inspect and report on the environmental health and safety aspects of University operations and facilities. Such inspections may be routine or at the request of a department and the results will be reported to the appropriate administrative personnel.

The division will maintain reference materials from local, state, and federal agencies, particularly in regard to rules and regulations affecting campus operations, and will assist in the technical interpretation of the same. The division will develop additional appropriate environmental health and safety standards for unique campus situations and submit them for administrative approval.

The director of the division reports to the Vice President for Auxiliary and Campus Services. The Environmental Health and Safety Committee also reports to the Vice President for Auxiliary and Campus Services.

Provosts, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, Chairs and Other Heads of Academic and Administrative Units

Provosts, vice presidents, deans, directors, chairs and other heads of academic and administrative units have a primary responsibility for the health and safety of their staff and students and for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations; for providing funds needed for safety and health improvements and for making those improvements; and for ensuring that supervisors, employees and students comply with the duties set forth in these regulations. In addition, some units, such as the Hospital, may have other specific

requirements and responsibilities established by agencies external to the University.

The formation of departmental or college safety committees is encouraged. Experience has indicated that such committees can provide effective means of implementing safety programs.

Each supervisor has certain specific responsibilities for

providing a working environment free from safety and

health hazards for those supervised. These responsibilities

include, but are not limited to, the following:

Supervisors

1. Informing new employees about safety and health procedures, rules and regulations, as well as their specific responsibilities.
2. Assuring that required equipment and personal protective devices are provided, maintained, and used.
3. Taking prompt actions when unsafe acts or conditions are reported or noted.
4. Providing for health and safety training and education on a continuing basis and requiring that all employees complete the appropriate training on a timely basis. Re-training of employees may be required with any change in job duties.
5. Promptly investigating and reporting all on-the-job accidents and requesting medical treatment if required.
6. Promptly investigating and reporting all job-related health or safety problems.
7. Coordinating or conducting internal inspections to assure safe and healthful conditions.
8. Maintaining compliance with all environmental laws and regulations applicable to their area of responsibility.
9. Requesting the assistance of the next higher level of supervision regarding budget requests for health and safety improvements.

Employees

Each employee has certain specific responsibilities to comply with existing safety and health standards, rules, and regulations. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Following all safety and health standards and rules.
2. Reporting all hazardous conditions to the supervisor.
3. Wearing or using prescribed protective equipment.
4. Reporting any job-related injuries or illnesses to the supervisor and seeking treatment promptly.
5. Refraining from the operation of any mechanical equipment without both proper instructions and authorization.
6. Completing all appropriate training as required.

Students

Students are responsible for following all environmental, health and safety standards and rules.