4.159 Administration & Finance
SAFETY POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Date Adopted/Most Recent Revision: 08/04/2006

  1. General
    Midwestern State University considers accident prevention to be of prime importance for the conservation and protection of human and material resources and for the maintenance of healthful and controlled environments which are conducive to effective work accomplishment and goal achievements of the university.

  2. Purpose
    The goal of Midwestern State University's safety policy is to develop positive attitudes regarding accident prevention for all employees and students of the university. Faculty, staff, and students shall continuously be cognizant of the safety needs of colleagues, employees, personnel, and the public. They are charged with the responsibility of initiating necessary preventive measures to control hazards associated with functions under their control. It is essential that all supervisors accept this responsibility for the safety of all personnel coming into their areas of control and for the safety of all personnel under their jurisdiction. Safety shall be incorporated as an integral part of all programs.

  3. Risk Management Committee
    The university has a viable, functioning Risk Management and Safety Committee. The Committee will meet on a quarterly basis, or on call of the Chairperson as needed. The Committee is charged with the following responsibilities:

    1. The detection of unsafe conditions and practices and recommendations for their remedy;
    2. The observation of unsafe acts and recommendations for their correction;
    3. The discussion and analysis of accident experiences in order to help avoid reoccurrences; and
    4. The dissemination of the committee minutes to appropriate individuals. Documentation of all committee meetings, minutes, and recommendations will be maintained on permanent file in the Office of the Environmental Safety Coordinator (ESC).
  4. Responsibility
    The overall responsibility for MSU's safety program lies with the President of the university. The ESC is the university's liaison and correspondent with the Workers' Compensation Division of the Attorney General's Office or any other regulatory agency in matters relating to safety. The ESC is responsible for detecting unsafe conditions, i.e., hazards, unseen dangers, and negligent performance of duties, etc., and reporting the same to the Risk Management and Safety Committee. The ESC also checks inspection reports from all areas periodically to ensure that provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act Standards, Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Act Standards, Part 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, Occupational Safety and Health Standards of the Texas Department of Health Resources, the National Fire Protection Articles and the Life Safety Code (NF)A) #101 are being complied with. All discrepancies noted or detected will be remedied either by work order or by the responsible supervisor.

  5. Safety Education Program
    Midwestern State University's safety education programs will include, but may not be limited to new employee orientation, continuing in-service (on-the-job) training by sections and departments and by specialized programs initiated by the Environment Safety Coordinator, such as supervisor safety training, Red Cross First Aid, and other safety training programs.