Safety Manual Table of Contents
Supervisor’s Responsibility
- Provide for safety instruction and encourage safe work performance by all employees under your supervision.
- Order the repair or replacement of all equipment, protective equipment, and machines found to be defective and a potential cause of injury.
- Inspect all equipment and tell each employee the proper equipment that must be worn or used for each task.
- Encourage employee safety suggestions and give them due consideration.
- Counsel, and discipline when necessary, employees who fail or refuse to use required safety equipment.
- Investigate all accidents and complete detailed Accident Report Forms.
- Be aware of all occupational health hazards or toxic substances present or in use by employees, and inform employees of these hazards. Contact Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) at 646-3592 for information on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) if you don’t have them. For additional information on the St. Olaf College Hazard Communication Program, contact EH&S at 646-3592
- Request assistance from EH&S where an occupational hazard may exist, or to evaluate the toxicity of a substance.
- Insure that new employees receive any required physicals, audiograms, etc., before beginning work.
- If an employee informs you that he/she is using any prescribed medication, you may request a determination from the employee’s doctor as to whether or not the employee can work safely within the normal working environment.
- Prohibit the use of alcoholic beverages, intoxicants, and narcotics while employees are scheduled for duty, including employees formally on call.
- Supervisors should see that work zones are properly roped off so that pedestrians are protected.
Employee’s Responsibility
- Use maximum care and good judgment in preventing accidents and seeking first aid.
- Report unsafe conditions, equipment, and practices.
- Abide by all safety rules and regulations. Only a diligent effort on everyone’s part will prevent occupational injuries and illnesses. Occupational injuries and illnesses are caused by unsafe acts or conditions and can be prevented.
- Understand your supervisor’s instructions. If you do not know how to do the job safely, ask questions. Lack of attention is a major cause of accidents. Keep your mind on your work and avoid daydreaming or horseplay. A small joke with seemingly no possible harm can result in serious injury.
- Do not engage in tasks which you believe might be unsafe without consulting your supervisor. Know the limitations of personal protective equipment. Keep all equipment clean and operating properly.
- Observe all posted warning signs.
- Clean up the work area and equipment upon job completion.
- Before you start work on any electrical system or circuit, make a personal inspection to assure yourself that it is de-energized by checking all power sources. Observe and obey warning tags and out-of- service notices. (See Lockout & Tagout manual on the Facilities web site.)
- Know the substances you work with which are hazardous or potentially hazardous. Review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on these substances, or contact your supervisor.
- The use of alcoholic beverages, intoxicants, or narcotics while you are scheduled for duty including formal callouts is prohibited. Being under the influence or possession of alcoholic beverages, intoxicants, or narcotics while on duty is forbidden. Anyone found to be under the influence of a controlled substance while on St. Olaf College property is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
- Inform your supervisor if you are using any prescribed medication when your shift starts. Have your doctor determine if you can work safely around equipment.