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Safety deficiencies may be identified by employees, department administrators, safety committees, Facilities Services employees, Environment, Health and Safety employees, state and/or federal inspectors, insurance underwriters, or anonymous reporters.

This document provides guidance on conducting a risk assessment, implementing a risk mitigation program, communicating during and after the assessment, and developing practices to support ongoing application of the risk assessment process to ensure safe laboratory operations.

The UNC-CH Environment, Health and Safety Office is responsible for planning, coordinating, and monitoring the fire safety program for the University. Fire Safety, as used in the University’s Environment, Health and Safety Manual, includes those areas of safety commonly referred to as “life safety”. The Environment, Health and Safety Office has been designated as the liaison between the University and the Chapel Hill Fire Department for matters involving fire safety.

The University Environment, Health and Safety Office is responsible for inspecting buildings for compliance with the Fire Codes, Life Safety Codes, and the National Electrical Code.

The health and safety of workers and building occupants is the most important factor to consider in laboratory work. In addition to these health and safety concerns, compliance with OSHA, Radiation Protection, and EPA regulations is also important because of the severe financial consequences, especially related to EPA hazardous waste regulations.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and its Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) are committed to the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff and visitors. It is therefore critical that the means of egress in University buildings be maintained and unobstructed to ensure safe emergency evacuation of occupants, as well as allow access for emergency responders.

The University uses Occupational Safety and Health Regulations and North Carolina Fire Prevention Codes and recommendations of the NFPA Life Safety Code as minimum standards to be attained. The State Department of Insurance may also impose requirements as a condition for providing insurance on campus buildings and equipment.

Each State agency is to have a written health and safety program for State employees, based on clearly stated goals or objectives, that promotes safe and healthful working conditions.

Safety glasses which are professionally measured and fitted to the individual are recommended for permanent employees whose job duties require frequent eye protection. These specially fitted glasses are available through the Eye Care Center and the North Carolina Department of Corrections.

Safety and health policies and procedures are established and enforced to protect employees from injury and illness as well as to provide for a safe and healthful place of employment.

To achieve full compliance with the annual workplace inspection requirements of Section 1-8 and 1-9 of the Environment, Health and Safety Plan, inspections will be performed by one or more of the following: employees (self-inspection), Workplace Safety Environment Committee members, Department of Environment, Health and Safety personnel, state and federal agency personnel, insurance underwriter personnel, or a combination of these.

The Environment, Health and Safety Manual describes environment, health and safety policies and procedures that have been approved and implemented at the University. These procedures are to be followed by all University faculty and staff, whether full-time, part-time, or temporary. Training sessions are provided to familiarize HR Facilitators and supervisors with the University’s Environment, Health and Safety Manual.

Many State and Federal regulations require employers to provide specific training programs and occupational medical surveillance to employees initially upon employment and in some cases, as shown in Appendix A, annually thereafter. Safety training is the mechanism used to inform employees on specific regulations and the safety procedures to follow while employed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

A Hazards Management Plan (HMP) is a written safety and environmental plan for a work unit, which provides a framework for ensuring compliance with regulations pertaining to protection of personnel and the environment.

This policy applies to all University buildings or portions of buildings used for gatherings of 75 or more persons for such activities as entertainment, dining, amusement, lectures, seminars, etc. Described minimum criteria are for emergency planning and fire prevention practices to be employed by University departments responsible for such gathering places.