Safety at work is everyone's business
The University of Dallas wants each employee to be safe at work. Occupational safety in the workplace is created by a commitment from each one of us. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the primary government agency concerned with employee/worker safety. There are many other agencies and organizations (federal, public, & private) that provide guidance for making your work environment a safer place. Ultimately, YOU make this workplace as safe a location as possible through your knowledge and actions. This page will list information and safety resources that can make your work environment safer.
Workers Compensation
For questions and information regarding employee workers" compensation, please contact Eva Avila at (972)721-5255 or eavila@udallas.edu
There is a procedure for reporting workplace injuries that occur on campus. See the Workplace Injuries. webpage for details. Report any injuries sustained on the job to your immediate supervisor. Even if you do not think the injury is important, it may develop into something more serious.
Reporting directly to OSHA
In accordance with 29 CFR 1904.39(a)(1)(a)(2)(a)(3) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration shall be contacted due to workplace injuries that cause:
- an employee fatality (OSHA must be notified within eight hours),
- the loss of a limb (within 24 hours)
- the loss of an eye (within 24 hours)
- an in-patient employee hospitalization (OSHA must be notified within 24 hours) .
If you have any questions contact the Safety Specialist.
Training
OSHA standards require that employees receive training regarding hazards they may encounter in their job. Training is job and hazard specific. If you work in an office setting, you might not need to know the procedure for electrical lock-out/tag-out, but you would need to know about ergonomics and how to prevent slip, and fall hazards. Your supervisor is required to train you in job specific topics and advise you of any hazards in the areas you work in. There are also OSHA required annual topics depending on your job. For those types of topics a "competent person" (per the OSHA definition) must provide the training. You may also require training in other related topics.
The University uses Safe Colleges as it's web based training platform. It is designed specifically for universities and colleges. You may receive an email requesting that you take a Safe Colleges safety course. Once you complete the course you will be credited for it. OSHA also requires that some topics be taught by a competent instructor in-person so that questions regarding the topic can be answered immediately.. Those topics are taught both in outdoor and indoor settings.
Some workplace safety topics for University employees include:
- Hazard Communications (required OSHA topic for chemicals hazards)
- Bloodborne Pathogens (Required OSHA topic for those with an anticipated risk of an exposure)
- Fire Prevention and Escape Plans (required OSHA topic for all employees)
MSDSonline®
An important part of the Hazard Communications Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Many federal, state, and local authorities require that employers have SDS's for each chemical or chemical product that is used and stored on their property. They must also develop a list of all hazardous chemicals, chemical products, and their locations on the property. The UDPD requires that each department maintain a current list of hazardous chemicals that are stored in their locations, and the SDS that goes with those chemical's stored in their offices or workplaces. We use MSDSonline® an online database that stores, manages, updates, and allows complete searches of our campus SDS sheets. Some departments may also use marked and mounted binders that contain the SDS's used in that particular location. The Code of Federal Regulations requires that employees have unrestricted access to SDS's during their work hours. SDS's in MSDSonline® may be accessed 24 hours a day.
Click on the logo-link below to access the database. You can search by chemical product name or the building location.
The Facilities Department Resources webpage also has the logo link to MSDSonline®.
Resource Links
This section will have links to university plans and information regarding workplace safety. As they become available they will be listed here for review.
The University Safety Committee
The University Safety committee meets regularly to discuss safety conditions on campus. We make recommendations for improvements to safety conditions that cause or are likely to cause serious injury to employees or students. We develop safety plans and contingencies. If you would like to join the Safety Committee, or have a suggestion please make your request to LaCoya Williams, Committee Chair lwilliams@udallas.edu .
Workplace Safety Training and Consulatation
For training in OSHA specific safety topics, workplace hazard awareness, and specific consultation regarding workplace safety concerns,
Steven R. Serna sserna@udallas.edu
Office: (972) 265-5749