Occupational and Employee Safety
Student Union HVAC Remediation Updates
On this page:
- Occupational Safety and Health Programs
- Bloodborne Pathogens Safety
- Contractor Safety
- Fire Safety
- Hazard Communication
- Hazardous Materials Shipping
- Public Health and Sanitation
- Respiratory Protection
- Working at Heights
Occupational Safety and Health Programs
The University's Occupational Safety and Health Programs are managed through the implementation of campus policies. Visit our Forms, Policies, Plans, and Procedures page to view specific policies.
Safety Topics
- Aerial Lifts; Working at Heights Policy (PDF)
- Air Quality; Indoor/Office Info Provided by EPA
- Asbestos: Maps of asbestos on campus (PDF)
- Asbestos Policy (PDF)
- Bleacher Inspection Policy (PDF)
- Confined Space
- Electrical Safety (PDF)
- Exposure and Medical Records: Right to Access (PDF)
- Fall Protection: Working at Heights Policy
- Grinders (PDF)
- Ladders (PDF)
- Lockout Policy (PDF)
- Medical Surveillance Information (Contact LAR for more information)
- Public Risk Reduction Program (PERRP): Notification to Employees (PDF)
- Respiratory Protection Information
- Scaffolding (PDF); Working at Heights Policy
Services
- Accident Investigations
- Air Quality Assessments
- CDC's Cold Weather Information (PDF)
- Ergonomic Evaluations(Check out this information from OSHA)
- Exposure Determinations (chemical/physical agents)
- Fume Hood Evaluations
- Hazardous Materials Cleanup/Decontamination
- Job Hazard Analysis
- Laboratory Assessments
- Occupational Health Physicals/Immunizations
- Occupational Noise Evaluations
- Personal Protective Equipment Assessments
Contact Information
- Marjorie Markopoulos, Institutional Biosafety Officer at (937) 775-2797
- Greg Merkle, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist at (937) 775-2217
Bloodborne Pathogens Safety
CAUTION!
If you are stuck by a needle or other sharp or get blood or other potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin, immediately flood the exposed area with water and clean any wound with soap and water or a skin disinfectant if available. Report this immediately to your supervisor and seek immediate medical attention.
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens.
All employees who may have occupational exposure to human blood, body fluids, or unfixed tissue; human cells or cell lines; or HIV or Hepatitis B Virus are required to comply with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Standard.
Exposure Control Plan
To reduce or eliminate the hazards of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, Wright State has an Exposure Control Plan to eliminate or minimize occupational exposures. The plan includes:
- exposure control;
- methods of control;
- use of universal precautions;
- use of engineering controls;
- use of work practice controls;
- use and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE);
- housekeeping;
- regulated waste (infectious waste);
- laundry;
- availability of hepatitis B vaccinations to workers with occupational exposure;
- availability of post-exposure evaluations and follow-up to an exposure incident;
- use of labels and signs to communication hazards;
- information and training to workers; and
- maintenance of worker medical and training records.
- also describes how Wright State uses a combination of engineering and work practice controls, ensures the use of personal protective clothing and equipment, provides training, medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccinations, and signs and labels, among other provisions.
Compliance with this program is mandatory.
Exposure Control Plan/Bloodborne Pathogens Program (PDF)
Written Opinion
The University must provide the employee with a copy of the evaluating health care professional's written opinion within 15 working days of the completion of the original evaluation. The opinion for post-exposure evaluation and follow-up should include:
- whether or not the employee received the vaccination,
- that the employee has been informed of the results of the evaluation;
- that the employee has been told about any medical conditions resulting from exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials that will require further evaluation or treatment.
All other findings or diagnoses will remain confidential and will not be included in the written report.
All laboratory tests are conducted at no cost to the employee.
Contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (937-775-2215) if you have a post-exposure evaluation or follow-up questions.
Medical Records must be maintained for the duration of the worker's employment plus 30 years.
Procedures
Emergency Needlestick Information
If you experienced a needlestick or sharps injury or were exposed to the blood or other body fluid of a patient during the course of your work, immediately follow these steps:
- Wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water
- Flush splashes to the nose, mouth, or skin with water
- Irrigate eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile irrigants
- Report the incident to your supervisor
- Immediately seek medical treatment
Resources
General
- OSHA Standard for Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens (29CFR1910.1030)
- University Policy 13350 Non-occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens
Post-exposure Prophylaxis
- Updated U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HIV and Recommendations for Post-exposure Prophylaxis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) 54(RR09);1-17, (2005, September 30). Updates US Public Health Service recommendations for the management of health-care personnel (HCP) who have occupational exposure to blood and other body fluids that might contain human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Updated U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HBV, HCV, and HIV and Recommendations for Post-exposure Prophylaxis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) 50(RR11);1-42, (2001, June 29). Updates and consolidates recommendations for the management of health-care personnel (HCP)
Contractor Safety
All contractors bidding on Wright State University projects are required to participate in the Contractor Safety Assessment (CSA). This program allows the University to objectively assess the safety performance of its contracting partners and assists the project management community in making informed decisions.
Want to become an Approved Wright State Contractor? Complete and submit the Contractor Safety Assessment form (PDF) to Environmental Health and Safety at ehs@wright.edu or by fax to (937) 775-3761.
Contractor Safety Assessment (CSA)
Wright State University Contractor Safety Assessment (PDF) assists in contractor selection through evaluation of a contractor's safety performance history and current safety management systems. The CSA allows the University to objectively assess the performance of its contracting partners and assists the project management community in making an informed decision.
Approved Wright State Contractor Expectations
- Contractor Health and Safety Manual (PDF)
- Contractor Health and Safety Brochure (PDF)
- Contractor Health and Safety Brochure in Spanish (PDF)
- EHS Campus Design and Construction Specifications/Requirements (PDF)
- Map of fire lanes where vehicle unloading is allowed but parking is not allowed (PDF)
- Visit Facilities Operations' Department of Safety and Casualty Prevention page for information about burn permits and hot work permits.
If contractors do not participate in the CSA they will not be able to bid or work on Wright State construction projects.
Contractors need to enroll before bidding on any Wright State construction project work.
Required Information
- Worker's Compensation Information
- EMR Form for the past 3 years
- OSHA lost workday data for the past 3 years
- OSHA total injuries recorded
- Number of reportable chemical releases your company has been responsible for
- Information on any government/regulatory agency citations in the last 12 months
Fire Safety
Emergency Action Plan: Building Fire Alarm
Upon hearing a building fire alarm, all occupants must evacuate the building immediately. Faculty members and instructors are required to cease instruction and assist students in exiting the building. The only exception for remaining in the building applies to “designated personnel" who are required to operate or shut down critical systems. Should smoke and/or fire be in the area of a critical system, “designated personnel” shall immediately evacuate the building and report to their respective supervisors.
The individual(s) activating the fire alarm is responsible, after evacuating the building for meeting responding fire department personnel and/or public safety officers and identifying the location of the smoke and/or fire.
The Department of Environmental Health and Safety and the Facilities Operations Casualty Prevention Supervisor are responsible for identifying and training designated personnel.
Safe and Orderly Evacuation of Building Occupants
The following procedures represent acceptable guidelines for ensuring the safe and orderly evacuation of building occupants.
- Building occupants are not to use elevators.
- Building occupants are to use the primary emergency exit whenever accessible. When the primary emergency exit is not accessible, building occupants are to use the secondary emergency exit. Occupants evacuating the building should go immediately to the designated meeting point away from the building. Supervisors or employees in lead positions should account, to the maximum degree possible, for employees, students, and visitors.
- Building occupants are to assist individuals with disabilities (non-wheelchair) in exiting the building.
- Building occupants who use wheelchairs and are on floors above ground level are to go to the closest enclosed stairwell. A university employee should remain with building occupants who use wheelchairs until a rescue is completed or the emergency is terminated. Building occupants who use wheelchairs and are located in the basement of buildings are to use the tunnel system and go to the closest adjacent building not involved in the alarm situation. No individuals, regardless of physical limitations, are to stay in tunnels connected to the building in which the fire alarm has been activated.
Burn Permit (Cutting-Welding-Hot Work) and Hot Work Permit Program
Visit the Department of Facilities Operations' Safety and Casualty Prevention page for information about burn permits and hot work permits.
Related Information
Read the official newsletter of The Center for Campus Fire Safety.
Hazard Communication
General Information
In 1983, the Federal Government, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), established the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) codified in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 “to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated, and that information concerning their hazards is transmitted to employers and employees.”
Wright State University developed and maintains a Hazard Communication Program to give all employees the right to know about any type of hazard they may encounter while performing their duties. The program complies with all requirements of OSHA's Standard for Hazard Communication.
All employees must complete Hazard Communication Training.
Compliance with this program at Wright State University is mandatory.
Five Elements for Compliance
The following five key elements are outlined in the standard and are included in the Wright State University Hazard Communication Program:
- Materials Inventory and Hazard Identification – A list of the hazardous materials present in your work area.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) – A detailed description of each hazardous material listed in the Materials Inventory.
- Labeling – Containers of hazardous materials must have labels to identify the material and warn of its potential hazard to employees.
- Training – All employees must be trained to identify and work safely with hazardous materials.
- Written Program – A written program must be available to all employees (PDF)
Forms and Resources
- Chemical Inventory Form (XLS)
- Hazard Communication Program (PDF)
- Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
- Right to Access Medical Records for Employees (PDF)
Hazardous Materials Shipping
If you are receiving, packaging, shipping, or are in some way associated with the transportation of hazardous material, either to the university or from the university, you are required to receive training on applicable Department of Transportation or International Air Transport Association rules.
Contact Greg Merkle at (937) 775-2217 for more information.
Useful Downloads and Links
- Government Printing Office Code of Federal Regulations
- Regulatory Agencies Involved in the Transport of Hazardous Materials (PDF)
- Contacts for Additional Information on Hazmat Shipments (PDF)
- Manufacturers of Hazardous Material Shipping Containers (PDF)
- Shipper's Declaration of Dangerous Goods and Instructions (PDF)
- Examples of Package Labels (PDF)
- Declaration Page (PDF)
- Fed-Ex Packaging Guide (PDF)
- Fed-Ex Dangerous Shipping Preparation Guide (PDF)
- Infectious Transport Guide (PDF)
- Notification of Hazardous Material Transportation Incident (49CFR 171.15 & 49CFR 171.16).
The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires notification of certain incidents within 12 hours of occurrence. Documentation for filing can be found at U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Public Health and Sanitation
Campus Drinking Water
Wright State University, in compliance with EPA standards and the Safe Drinking Water Act, regularly tests its drinking water to ensure that appropriate measures are being taken to provide safe drinking water to the Wright State community.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding Wright State's drinking water management program or policies, please contact Environmental Health and Safety Department at (937) 775-2215 or email ehs@wright.edu.
Reports
- 2020 Consumer Notice (CN) of Tap Water Results Summary (PDF)
- 2020 Lead Public Notification (LPN)(PDF)
- 2020 Lead Public Education (PE) (PDF)
- 2019 Consumer Confidence Report (PDF)
- 2019 Consumer Notice of Tap Water Results Summary (PDF)
- 2018 Consumer Confidence Report - Updated (PDF)
- 2018 Consumer Notice of Tap Water Results Summary (PDF)
- 2017 Consumer Confidence Report (PDF)
- 2016 Consumer Confidence Report (PDF)
- 2015 Consumer Confidence Report (PDF)
- 2014 Consumer Confidence Report (PDF)
- 2013 Consumer Confidence Report (PDF)
Related Links
- Lead Monitoring Report:
- Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Food Safety and Outside Food Sales
Wright State is contracted with Chartwells to provide all food services on campus. However, there are times when food can be sold outside of the Licensed Food Service Operations.
temporary food permit
Selling of most food outside of the Licensed Food Service Operations requires a Temporary Food Service Operations license. The exceptions are "cottage foods".
cottage food production operation
A cottage food production operation is defined in the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3715 to mean a person who, in the person's own home, produces food items that are not time/temperature controlled for safety. The specific foods are LIMITED and listed below. All foods must be shelf-stable and not require refrigeration for safety.
What kinds of cottage foods can I make?
Approved cottage foods are LIMITED to the following items:
- Jams and Jellies
- Candy, except those with fresh fruit
- Fruit butters and fruit chutney
- Tea and Coffee (dry)
- Pizzelles
- Waffle cones
- Seasoning mixes and herbs (dry)
- Doughnuts (baked, unfilled)
- Cereal/nut snack mixes (dry)
- Baking mixes in a jar (dry)
- Granola and granola bars (dry)
- Popcorn (includes flavored)
- Bakery foods (cookies, cakes, etc.) that are non-perishable
- Allergen information –
- If the food contains a major food allergen, it must state “Contains” followed by the name of the allergen. These include milk, egg, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. In the case of tree nuts, the specific type of nut should be listed (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.). This also applies to fish (bass flounder, or cod) and Crustacean shellfish (crab, lobster, and shrimp).
What cottage foods are NOT allowed?
- Acidified foods, low-acid canned foods, and vacuum packaged foods are NOT permitted.
If you are selling and/or preparing food at a university-sponsored event that is not listed on the approved cottage food list, you will need to get a temporary food operations permit from Greene County Public Health. This food operation cannot be operated more than five consecutive days and no more than ten times a year (otherwise food operation will be licensed as a permanent or mobile food operation. To be approved as a temporary food operation, you must complete and submit a Letter of Intent, a State of Ohio Temporary Food License Application, and submit the $60 fee. Click here to get started: Greene County Public Health
Flow chart to determine if you need a temporary food permit or not (PDF)
Related Links
- Food Safety tips for college students, from the United States Department of Agriculture
- Safe food handling, from the United States Department of Agriculture
- Government food safety information, from Food Safety.gov
Respiratory Protection
Wright State University provides a safe and healthy work environment free from recognized hazards. The Respiratory Protection Program helps lower worker exposures to hazardous airborne contaminants and oxygen deficiency.
Respiratory protection should only be used when engineering controls have been shown to be infeasible for the control of the hazard or during the interim period when engineering controls are being installed. Once respiratory protection is determined to be necessary, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134 requirements are followed.
Respiratory protection includes devices that will protect the wearer's respiratory system from overexposure by inhalation to airborne contaminants.
Respiratory protection is used when a worker must work in an area where he/she might be exposed to concentration in excess of the allowable exposure limit.
Do I need to wear a Respirator?
The job tasks/classifications that require respirator use include Painters, Water Treatment Operators, HVAC, Morgue (embalming), Police, HAZWOPER, and hazardous material disposal. If you feel that your job task may need a respirator, contact us to perform a risk assessment. If the risk assessment determines that a respirator is not required but you would like to wear a respirator voluntarily, please see below.
What if I want to wear a respirator?
If you want to wear a respirator for "comfort" reasons (as opposed to a documented hazard) please read Voluntary Respirator Use Information (PDF).
Resources
- Policy (PDF)
- Seal Check (PDF)
- Voluntary Usage (PDF)
- Voluntary Respirator Form (PDF)
- Additional Resources (PDF)
Working at Heights
"Working at Heights" course is being offered through the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department. Utilizing the 40-foot climbing tower located at the National Center for Medical Readiness (Calamityville®) we will cover fall protection and working at heights training offered by certified professionals. This course will provide the tools you need and hands-on practice to reduce the dangers of fall hazards and the associated risks of working at heights.
Single-day, eight-hour courses. Choose From:
- Rescue
- Competent Person
- Authorized Climber
Courses will include classroom training and hands-on climbing tower and will be offered during Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions. Check out the video below to get an idea of what to expect.