Handbook - Health and Safety

520 Health and Safety

520.01 General Policy

It is the policy of the SUNY College at Brockport to maintain a safe, healthful environment for its faculty, staff, students, and visitors that will neither adversely affect their health and safety, nor subject them to avoidable risk of accidental injury.

Appropriate health and safety standards promulgated by federal and state agencies are followed in establishing campus regulations and policy. Published standards of nationally recognized professional health and safety groups serve as guidelines in the absence of appropriate statutes and governmental regulations.

520.02 Responsibilities

The President of SUNY Brockport has ultimate responsibility for the campus safety and environmental health program, and delegates to all levels of supervision the responsibility and authority for achieving the established objectives.

Each department chairperson is responsible for the safety and health of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors in that particular area. This includes the obligation and authority to prevent or stop any operations considered being unsafe. The department chairperson may delegate all or part of these responsibilities to a departmental safety coordinator. Ideally, this person will be a faculty member in an academic department, or a supervisor or director in a staff department. However, such delegation in no way relieves the department chairperson of responsibility in matters of departmental safety and health.

It is incumbent upon individuals to provide the constant vigilance necessary to avoid unsafe acts. Each person has an obligation to take all reasonable precautions to prevent personal injuries to fellow employees or students. Employees are expected to learn and to follow the approved standards and procedures applying to any activities, and to consult with the appropriate individual(s) when there are any doubts concerning potential hazards.

It is shared responsibility of each employee, supervisor, dean, department head to assure each employee receives the appropriate training for the activities and job functions that are carried out as an employee of SUNY Brockport. This includes (but is not limited to) Right-to-Know training for all those who work in a lab, and Bloodborn Pathogens training for all those who are potentially exposed to infectious materials.

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS) located at the Commissary, room F-31 (395-2005). This department provides guidance, services and training needed by campus personnel to attain the goals and objectives of the campus safety and Environmental Health and Safety Program.

The Director of Environmental Health and Safety oversees environmental health and safety concerns at SUNY Brockport and is available for questions and/or comments at 395-2005.

520.03 Campus Safety Committee

This group consists of representatives from faculty, administration, students, and staff of the College and members shall be appointed by an appropriate management representative. The group is charged with the responsibility for formulating environmental health and safety policies related to Environmental Protection Agency/NY Department of Environmental Conservation regulations and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. They are also responsible for implementing a strong environmental health and safety program based on established College, state and federal policies and practices. The committee shall meet at least once each semester to review policies, recommend remedial actions, and report to administration the results of their findings and recommendations.

520.04 Campus Accidents and Medical Emergencies

In event of a medical emergency involving a single individual or more than one individual, the following procedure should be followed:
1. Render urgently needed first aid that may be reasonably necessary for the immediate situation.
2. If locomotion is comfortable and appropriate, instruct the injured individual to report to the Health Center with a companion.
3. If locomotion is uncomfortable and/or inappropriate within accepted first aid practices, call University Police immediately at 395-2226. Indicate to the officer whether a single person or more than one individual is involved. Give the caller's identity, the exact location of the injured person(s), the general nature of the injury and specific injury if known (i.e., injured party is exhibiting severe chest pains and has trouble breathing, etc.), and the name of the injured party.
4. The officer, on arrival, will assess the situation, give immediate first aid, call an ambulance, or, if the patient is ambulatory, arrange for immediate transport to the emergency room at Lakeside Memorial Hospital or other appropriate medical facility.
5. In the case of an extreme emergency, such as an explosion, fire, etc., involving several individuals in a medical emergency, the person reporting this emergency to University Police should request immediate ambulance service to the scene prior to the University Police officer's assessment.
If the injury or medical emergency is work related, the physician or hospital should be advised that the injury is work related and that the compensation carrier for the College is the State Insurance Fund.
Report the accident, injury, etc. as soon as possible to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS) at 394-2495. Form CS-13 (Accident Report), available from the (DEHS) must be completed and returned to the (DEHS) Commissary building. The Accident Report form must be completed by the employee or employee’s immediate supervisor. This report should indicate all witnesses to the accident or injury and whether the injury has caused the employee to lose time from work.
Injuries occurring before and after the scheduled workday and during lunch periods will be reviewed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

520.05 Fire and Other Emergencies Requiring Building Evacuation

General building evacuation procedures for fires and other emergencies requiring evacuation follow:
1. When fire alarms sound, all personnel must proceed quickly and orderly, without running, to the nearest exit.
2. Close doors off corridors and passageways, without locking.
3. Do not use elevators.
4. Exit and move at least 100 yards from the building to allow emergency personnel and equipment to function.
5. Do not re-enter the building until a campus University Police Officer, Fire Chief, etc. signals the recall by voice or hand sign.
Although the permanent buildings are practically fireproof, special precautions must be observed continually to prevent fire in furnishings, draperies, waste paper containers, etc. Special care must be exercised in the disposal of waste in all parts of the building and the storage of equipment and materials.
Staff and faculty members are expected to learn the location of all fire alarm boxes and extinguishers, and be able to operate them. In case of fire, however small, an alarm is to be turned in immediately. The operation of any fire alarm station causes an alarm to be sounded on all gongs in that building. In the event of fire, sound the alarm station, then telephone University Police at (395-2226). Report the fire, give the building name, your name, and location of the fire.

520.06 Fire Drills

Section 807 of the Education Law requires a minimum of four fire drills to be held annually in all buildings on the campus. At least two of these must be unannounced. In every case, every person, including guests, must leave the building. This regulation applies to all buildings on campus.
All fire drills will be scheduled, monitored, recorded, and evaluated by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
Fire Drill Safety Regulations:
1. Close office doors and turn out lights.
2. Take any personal belongings (handbags, wallets, keys, etc.) and move to the nearest exit.
3. Upon exiting the building, remain outside until notified to return by the University Police Officer or other appropriate person(s).

520.07 False Alarms and Tampering with Fire Alarms

Giving false alarm of fire, tampering, or interference with fire alarm systems will result in disciplinary action by the College, as well as the penalty set forth in the New York Penal Law.

520.08 Fire, Use and Prohibition

The use of lighted candles, incense, or other such items shall be prohibited.
Open fires on campus are prohibited.
Fires or burning of materials within a building shall be prohibited.
The above are subject to review through the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (395-2005).

520.09 Holiday Decorations

Each year, during the Christmas season, numerous fires result because of the flammability of Christmas trees and decorations. Persons constructing displays or supervising such installations are urged to observe the following precautions:

Evergreen Christmas trees and decorations (i.e., wreaths, boughs, etc.) are not permitted in campus buildings.
Imitation trees are allowable, provided they are fireproof or fire retardant. Trees should not be placed in hallways, stairways, or near doors used for exits. Do not drape trees with flammable decorations. Metal trees should not be decorated with lights; color wheels are recommended. Do not have tree lights on overnight.
When utilizing other types of decorations (paper, plastic, etc.), do not attach or conceal emergency/protective devices (fire alarm pull stations, heat/smoke detectors, fire extinguisher, etc.) with decorations. All such decorations should be labeled fireproof, fire resistant, or fire retardant. Do not place decorations on counters or tables where lighted cigarettes are liable to touch the decorations.

520.10 Smoking Policy (applicable to all students, employees, and visitors to the College)

Effective July 1, 1993, SUNY College at Brockport became smoke-free. Smoking is strictly prohibited in all campus buildings, at the Educational Opportunity Center, and in all vehicles owned by the College or the Brockport Auxiliary Service Corporation (BASC). Doorway areas are considered part of the building and are, likewise, smoke-free.

The only exception to the smoke-free policy is in private quarters in residence halls. In residence halls, smoking is prohibited in all areas which students use in common, or to which the public has access. Smoking is allowed in designated student bedrooms only at the request, and with the approval, of all occupants.

520.11 Radiation Safety

The College is in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations concerning the use of radio-chemicals, radio-isotopes, and radiation-producing equipment or utilizing radioactive sources. Questions concerning radiation safety should be directed to the Radiation Safety Officer, 126 Smith Hall (395-5717).

520.12 Hazardous Materials

Specific care must be taken in dealing with hazardous materials. These materials include, but are not limited to, toxic chemicals, chemical carcinogens, and infectious agents. Any questions concerning the possession use, transportation, and disposal of such materials should be directed to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (395-2005).

520.13 Eye Safety

Section 141.10, Part 141 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, amended by the Board of Regents February 1971, provides for conformity to revised standards of eye safety devices in educational institutions within New York State. Article 409 a. of the State Education Law requires that in certain specified locations and situations "The...person in charge of every...educational institution within the State...shall arrange for and require...that every student and teacher...wear eye safety devices.

All applicable State Occupational Safety and Health regulations pertaining to eye safety and protection shall be observed. Nothing in this policy shall be construed as replacing or superseding pertinent Occupational Safety and Health regulations.

Eye safety devices shall be worn in instructional or experimental programs involving:

Hot solids, liquids, or molten metals.
Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, or stamping of any solid materials.
Heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials.
Gas or electric arc welding.
Repair or servicing of any vehicle.
Caustic (to include any chemical material capable of causing corrosion, erosion, or irreversible tissue damage and alteration, regardless of the chemical classification of that material) or explosive chemicals or materials.

This policy includes the requirement to use eye safety devices in any and all circumstances in which there is a possibility or expectation that a foreign object or material may injuriously enter the eye or that portion of the skull which surrounds the eye, i.e., the orbital cavity. This shall be understood to include those situations in which an object or material may in itself be regarded as reasonably harmless, but the conditions of use may lead to injury. (Thus, water from an appropriately constructed eyewash fountain may be regarded as a harmless material, but when water is used under conditions of high-pressure cleaning operations or when it is directed from a pressurized fire hose, water may be considered to be potentially injurious.) Therefore, eye protection devices shall be required at all times and in all places:

In which chemical substances are used in instruction or in employment.
In which the materials and/or the materials and activities specified in the State Education Law are employed or practiced.
Whenever there is the potential for chemical to splash, chemically-resistant goggles shall be worn.

Eye protection devices will also be required whenever potentially injurious procedures or materials are pursued or used in:

Scientific laboratories, storage rooms, and dispensing facilities.
Studios, workshops, and laboratories used for art, crafts, manufacture, hobby activity, etc.
Physical education and recreation facilities and activities involving equipment small enough to enter the eye or the orbital structure, e.g., handball, racquetball, etc.
Shops and offices of the College in which printing, photographic processing, welding, or grinding, sawing, and other production, construction, repair, and maintenance activities are conducted.
Operations in which visible or invisible light radiation, potentially injurious to the eye, is produced such as in glass working, ultraviolet radiation, laser beam operation, etc.

The provision of this policy apply to: all full-time and part-time faculty and non-academic employees of the College; all full- and part-time students; all users of College instructional and recreational facilities regardless of employment or enrollment status; and all visitors to places in the College where eye safety devices are required.

Standards for eye protection equipment shall conform to the most recent revision of American National Standards Institute standard Z87.1.

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