Safety Policies and Programs
East Carolina University is committed to providing a safe and healthy campus environment which is fundamental to achieving excellence in teaching, learning, research, and outreach. This commitment includes reasonable protection for human health and the environment, mitigating risks of illness or injury, preventing, and responding to environmental hazards, preserving university resources and assets, minimizing property losses or damage, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
Occupational safety and health standards are in 29 CFR 1910, North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standard for General Industry. These standards detail specific regulatory requirements and encompass the following:
- Walking/Working Surfaces
- Exit Routes and Emergency Planning
- Powered Platforms, Manlifts, and Vehicle-Mounted Work Platforms
- Occupational Health and Environmental Control
- Hazardous Materials
- Personal Protective Equipment
- General Environmental Controls
- Permit-Required Confined Spaces
- Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout)
- Medical and First Aid
- Fire Protection
- Compressed Gas and Compressed Air Equipment
- Materials Handling and Storage
- Machinery and Machine Guarding
- Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Equipment
- Welding, Cutting, and Brazing
- Special Industries
- Electrical
- Toxic and Hazardous Substances
- Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Hazard Communication
- Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (Chemical Hygiene)
The NCOSHR State Employee Safety and Health Handbook provides an overview of the Safety and Health Regulations under the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Act (NCOSHA) and other regulatory groups. It is designed to answer general questions regarding workplace safety and hazard prevention to protect employees from job related injuries or illnesses. All employees should be familiar with the contents of the Safety and Health Handbook.
The university must comply with a variety of regulations pertaining to protection of the environment, transportation of hazardous materials, and protection against radiation. Regulations for the protection of the environment are in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Regulations for the transportation of hazardous materials are in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Regulations for protection against radiation are in 10A NCAC 15.
East Carolina University has a comprehensive safety and health program that promotes a safe and healthy campus environment through a series of administrative programs, procedures, and other documents, as appropriate to the operations of East Carolina University, in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and best practice standards. These programs and procedures supplement established federal, state, and local regulations and provide specific guidance for compliance with applicable requirements. They are continually reviewed and appropriately modified to maintain compliance with regulatory and best practice revisions.
Responsibilities
The Chancellor, as chief executive, is responsible for implementation of the institutional safety and health program and shall designate an institutional safety and health director to provide daily oversight of this program. The Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) has delegated authority to serve in this role and to function as the institutional liaison with the UNC System Office, regulatory agencies, and NCOSHR on matters relevant to safety and health program.
The Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Safety & Auxiliary Services has supervision responsibility for the Director of EH&S and is responsible for securing resources to support the EH&S programs throughout East Carolina University. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Safety & Auxiliary Services reports to the Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance.
EH&S will manage implementation of the comprehensive safety and health program. EH&S has developed administrative programs, procedures, and other documents, as appropriate to the operations of East Carolina University, in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and best practice standards. Programs and procedures will be continually reviewed and appropriately modified to maintain compliance with regulatory and best practice revisions. EH&S will provide consultative services to the ECU campus community to assist with compliance.
EH&S is responsible for conducting periodic risk assessments of institutional operations to ensure that occupational health and safety hazards are assessed and that any hazards are mitigated. EH&S shall have the authority to inspect all ECU facilities for the presence of unsafe conditions and violations at any time. In addition, if any condition presents imminent danger, EH&S shall have authority to stop work immediately until the violation is resolved to EH&S’ satisfaction. Imminent danger is defined as any conditions or practices in any place of employment which are such that a danger exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the imminence of such danger can be eliminated through standard enforcement procedures.
EH&S is responsible for providing notification to the North Carolina Department of Labor and the Office of State Human Resources of any work-related fatality, inpatient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of eye(s) in accordance with REG05.20.08 “Reporting of Employee Fatalities and Severe Injuries.”
The ECU Safety and Security Committee assists EH&S with health and safety program oversight. The committee reviews and evaluates effectiveness of current safety programs and make recommendations to EH&S for improvement. The committee will also discuss events affecting campus safety and assist in assessment of vulnerabilities, hazards, and risks associated with safety of the campus community. The EH&S Director, or designee serves as an ex-officio committee member. The committee is representative of the campus community with membership from administrators, supervisory personnel, and non-supervisory personnel, faculty, staff, and students. This committee meets at least quarterly and reports to the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.
Deans, Directors, and Department Heads have primary responsibility for operations in their organizations and for taking the necessary measures to comply with safety and health program requirements.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for being knowledgeable of and complying with safety and health program requirements. They must ensure employees under their supervision are informed of the hazards they may encounter in their work environment and the appropriate measures they should follow to protect themselves from the harm.
All university employees have individual responsibility for their own safety. Each employee shall adhere to all health and safety program requirements while performing their duties in a safe manner. Employees should contact their assigned supervisor with any questions regarding safe performance of all assigned job duties. Employees are required to report unsafe conditions or practices (unsafe working conditions, potential hazards, accidents, and near misses) to their immediate supervisors as soon as possible in accordance with REG05.10.01 “Safety Hazard Investigation.” Failure to adhere to established health and safety program requirements may subject employees to disciplinary action.
Programs and Administrative Procedures
Respiratory Protection Program
Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety
EH&S Requirements for Special Events
Animals on University Property
Reporting of Employee Fatalities and Severe Injuries
Adverse Weather and Emergency Events