Introduction to Department Safety Committees

Agenda Committee Purpose Committee Roles Training

Why a Safety Committee Forum for departmental participation in the University’s Health & Safety program Conduit for information exchange between employees, department, and Risk Management & Safety

What is a Safety Committee? An established group that meets regularly to proactively address: Department, unit, or building safety concerns Develop solutions to safety issues Disseminates safety information Conducts routine safety audits Assists the Department Safety Coordinator Professional resource/point of contact for RMS

Safety Committee Roles Promotes safety at the department / unit level Conduit for information exchange Ensures that work-related injuries/illnesses are reported in timely manner Review significant work-related injuries/illnesses to address causes Review any unsafe conditions that were reported and how they were resolved Coordinates safety training (non labs) and review (audit) training records for compliance Follow-up on the department’s or laboratories’ identified deficiencies from joint assessments, ISP, or other audits Review Safety Plan annually

Committee Composition Department Safety Coordinator Department’s primary safety advocate/contact Safety Committee Chair Representatives from various department areas Include representation from all levels

Committee Meetings Meet at least quarterly (ISP) or semi-annually (LISP) Conduct additional meetings as needed to address special topics or initiatives

Committee Responsibilities Establish department safety goals, safety plan, mission statement Review department safety statistics (trends/reports) and reported concerns Track information/progress recorded during inspections (assign responsibility for fixes) Evaluate compliance with established safety programs, policies, and rules Ensure safety training needs are met Develop/implement new policies Record/maintain meeting notes Develop method for employee feedback

HAZARD RECOGNITION Safety Committee

Clutter / Housekeeping

Trip Hazards

Falls Overhead Crane Removing the hand rail to lower material leaves an gap that someone can fall through. In this circumstance an anchor point and fall protection system is needed

Electrical Safety Open electrical box and conduit Electric cord for overhead hoist is frayed and spliced back together with electrical tape and wire nuts. + Labeled to identify which circuit breaker shuts off power to which equipment. - Must have tags identifying who’s lock. - Circuit beaker should never be locked in the “On” position.

Fire Hazards Broken Fire Prevention Equipment Missing /Broken Exit Signs Exposed Wiring Candles Consider HVAC and fire sprinkler limitations before construction

SUPPORTING INFORMATION Safety Committee

Training Risk Management website: Policies: Integrated Safety Plan: Lab ISP: policies-and-manuals/ policies-and-manuals/ Lab Safety: General Lab Safety Refresher Bloodborne Pathogen Refresher Radiation Refresher General Safety Golf Cart Training: Food Safety Training: