35.32 - Safety & Loss Control Program

Owner:

• Position: Environmental Health and Safety Executive Director
• Email: safety@uidaho.edu 

Last updated: October 7, 2024

A. Institutional Safety and Responsibility. [ed. 1-11]

A-1. Safety Policies and Procedures. Safety policies and procedures which are required in order to ensure compliance with local, state, or federal law or regulation will be prescribed by the Director of Environmental Health and Safety. When proposed safety policies are a combination of legal or regulatory requirements and institutional policy, those portions with institutional policy will be submitted for review and approval by the University’s Safety and Loss Control Committee. [ren. & rev. 1-11]

A-2. Obligations. Administrators, managers and supervisors are responsible for developing and implementing safe work practices, promoting safety, and setting the example for others. All employees are expected to adhere to safe operating work practices and are encouraged to provide expertise and offer ideas to make safety a part of the job. All members of the University community are expected to continuously promote safety awareness, maintain property and equipment in safe operating condition, and comply with APM Chapter 35 (Environmental Health & Safety). [ren. & rev. 1-11]

A-3. Director of Environmental Health and Safety Responsibilities. The Director of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for administering the institutional Safety and Loss Control Program. To fulfill this responsibility, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety directs the activities of the Environmental Health and Safety ("EHS") Office, monitors the work environment and coordinates the efforts of all University units and employees to create and maintain safe conditions of study, research, and employment, to promote safe practices and to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. The Director of Environmental Health and Safety also serves as the University's environmental compliance officer. [ed. & ren. 1-11]

A-4. Supervisor Responsibilities. Deans, directors, department heads, faculty members, staff and other supervisory personnel are responsible for providing safe environments and operations under their control (including, but not limited to, work, classroom, laboratory, and field-trip activities), and are required to ensure that all reasonable and necessary precautions are taken to prevent accidents and to preserve the life and health of the employees, instructors, students and others under their supervision. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that employees under their supervision are adequately trained, equipped, monitored, evaluated, and guided as appropriate to ensure compliance with established safety policies, standards, and procedures. Annual performance evaluations of supervisors shall reflect performance in promoting safe work practices. [ed. & ren. 1-11]

A-5. Employee Responsibilities. All University employees are required to comply with the safety policies, procedures, and work practices established by the University. Employees must avoid any activity that creates or constitutes a serious hazard to themselves or others while working for the University. Any employee who believes that performing an assigned work task or activity may pose a serious risk to life or health is expected to immediately bring their concerns to the attention of his or her supervisor, or others as designated by department/division procedures. [ren. 1-11]

B. Safety and Loss Control Committee Function. In conformity with the State of Idaho’s Safety and Loss Control Program model, the University has established a Safety and Loss Control Committee. [See also FSH 1640.76]

B-1. Responsibilities. The responsibilities and purposes of the committee are described in FSH 1640.76. [ed. 7-10]

C. Safety and Loss Control Committee Membership/Structure.

C-1. Membership/Structure.  See FSH 1640.76. [ed. 7-10]

C-2. Governance. The Safety and Loss Control Committee is governed by a chair and vice-chair, with the vice-chair assuming responsibilities of the chair after a one-year rotation. Committee members are appointed by the University’s Committee on Committees and serve a three-year period with students serving terms as recommended by the ASUI and GPSA. [ed. 1-11]

D. Unit Safety Program. Unit administrators are required to ensure that a unit safety program is developed and implemented using the template provided by EHS. [add. 1-11]

D-1. Unit Safety Program Elements. The Unit Safety Program is comprised of the following nine elements: [add. 1-11]

Further information, guidance, resources and tools to assist in the development of a unit safety program are available at the EHS website. Please click here to access the Unit Safety Program webpage. [add. 1-11]

D-2. Unit Safety Program Assessment. Unit administrators shall ensure that their safety program is reviewed annually to determine the progress made in reaching the goals described in the unit safety program template. To accomplish this, a Unit Safety Program Assessment Checklist is available. Please click here to access the Assessment Checklist. [add. 1-11]

E. Information. For additional information and assistance, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office at (208) 885-6524 or Safety Office email. [add. 1-11]

Version History

Amended October 2024. Minor edit to update owner position title.