{"id":1524,"date":"2019-05-08T14:47:56","date_gmt":"2019-05-08T21:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/?page_id=1524"},"modified":"2026-02-09T12:47:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T20:47:25","slug":"safety-policies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/safety-policies\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-spacing-bottom--xxmedium\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wsu-container wsu-spacing-bottom--none wsu-spacing-top--none wsu-spacing-padding-left--none wsu-spacing-padding-right--none wsu-position--relative wsu-spacing-after--xxmedium\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-decorator  wsu-decorator--style-lines-crimson\" style=\"height:100%;width:40px\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-decorator  wsu-decorator--style-block-crimson-light\" style=\"left:20px;height:100%;width:40px\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-callout wsu-notch--small wsu-border--color-crimson-light wsu-border--add-left wsu-callout--style-basic wsu-spacing-margin-left--xmedium wsu-max-width--medium wsu-color-background--gray-5\" >\r\n        \n\n<p class=\" wsu-font-size--large\">Safety builds trust and is everyone\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wsu-spacing-margin-right--medium\">An accident does not just affect one person: it affects the people around them, too. Maintaining and enhancing a healthy and safe work environment is a responsibility shared by all. The following policies have been established for the safety of our Voiland College community.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-column--style-sidebar\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wsu-spacing-after--medium wsu-font-size--large\">On this page:<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-container wsu-max-width--medium wsu-spacing-padding-left--medium wsu-spacing-after--xxmedium\" >\r\n    \n\n<ul class=\"wsu-menu--style-sidebar wsu-spacing-after--xsmall wsu-spacing-before--small wsu-list--columns-1\">\n<li><a href=\"#Training\">Mandatory Safety Training<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Eye-protection\">Mandatory Eye Protection<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Camera\">Security Camera Policy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Emergency-Contact\">Emergency Contact Information for Labs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Stop-work\">Stop Work<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Reporting\">Mandatory Reporting<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Visibility-Access\">Visibility and Access<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Smoking\">Smoking On WSU Property Prohibited<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Policy\">University Safety Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Training\">Mandatory Safety Training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All Voiland College employees, students, and visitors, utilizing Voiland College resources, are required to be trained, and perform their duties in a safe manner. Please visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/safety-training\/\">safety training page<\/a> for details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All training programs at Washington State University are offered to personnel and visitors free of charge, with the exception of CPR, and are available to those that request it. Specific training is available as applicable to the hazard\/environment\/conditions and any question can be answered by numerous sources. Each individual is free to seek answers from the source they are most comfortable with, such as the lab PI, unit\u2019s Lab Safety Chair, lab technician, Voiland College Safety Chair, Voiland College Facility, Operations, &amp; Safety Services, Voiland College Associate Dean of Research, or WSU\u2019s Environmental Health and Safety. Seeking additional help and\/or training is a positive and encouraged behavior, and is expected if an individual feels in any way uncomfortable or unsafe in their environment. Each laboratory is fundamentally charged, via the Primary Investigator(s) to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Secure and operate the laboratory and its research materials\/equipment appropriately<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Utilize correct personal protective equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Operate hygienically<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have current SOPs available<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Effectively manage waste streams<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure visibility and access are maintained into the laboratory, with exception of protected research<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure lab personnel are trained in the emergency process to address applicable research risks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Possess a stocked safety kit, with items that may be pertinent to applicable research risks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facilitate an annual safety evaluation, performed by the PI\u2019s home unit\u2019s Safety Committee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">VCEA Required Safety Training Policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All faculty, staff, and students are required to review the [VCEA Safety Policy (updated 8\/01\/2025)] <a href=\"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/vcea-required-safety-training-policy-2\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/vcea-required-safety-training-policy-2\/\">VCEA Required Safety Training Policy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Eye-protection\">Mandatory Eye Protection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2017, then Dean Rezac established the policy that all persons entering a Voiland College laboratory must wear protective eye-wear at all times. To read more about this message, view: <a href=\"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/faculty-staff\/2017\/09\/28\/an-eye-on-safety\/\">An Eye on Safety<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Camera\">Security Camera Policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For the protection of people and property, Voiland College requires all security cameras to follow it&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/security-camera-policy\/\">Security Camera policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Emergency-Contact\">Emergency Contact Information For Labs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At least one, preferably two, emergency contact phone numbers will be posted outside the door of each Voiland College lab. The phone numbers provided will enable emergency responders to get in touch with a person familiar with the lab any time, any day, all year (24\/7\/365). Ideally, this contact will be to a mobile phone number that the contact will have with them (24\/7\/365). The contact(s) assigned as the lab\u2019s emergency contact is responsible to be highly knowledgeable of the lab\u2019s equipment, chemicals, and hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Stop-work\">Stop Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The purpose of a Stop Work request is to help each other prevent accidents, and create a safer environment together. All Voiland College personnel have the right to stop work when a situation appears to be unsafe. If it appears that someone or something can be harmed through the action or inaction of another, any person in Voiland College or at WSU has the right to request all lab occupants to stop work. If such an action is requested, individuals in the lab are asked to safely cease what they are doing and exit the lab. The lab occupants and person requesting the stop work need to request a response to the safety concern in question before resuming work. This response is required to confirm that the concern in question is safe or not. The response can be performed quickly by any of the following sources: School\/Department\u2019s Safety Committee Chair, School\/Department Chair or Director, the Voiland College Safety Committee Chair, Voiland College Facility, Operations, &amp; Safety Services, the Voiland College Associate Dean of Research, or Environmental Health and Safety. Such a review can be conducted immediately, and all parties can be advised if the practice was safe, or if not, receive positive feedback on how to take cautious and appropriate actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Reporting\">Mandatory Reporting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If <a href=\"http:\/\/public.wsu.edu\/~forms\/manuals.html\">BPPMs, EPs, SPPMS<\/a>, or Voiland College policies are not being followed, if there appears to be a potential hazard, or if someone is acting in an unsafe manner, it is the responsibility of each, and every, individual to inform the individuals of the correct actions, or report such hazards so that we can ensure all personnel, equipment, and property remains safe. Communicating\/reporting is a positive and proactive approach and will be responded to in a manner that helps all involved. Reporting can be made to the reporter\u2019s supervisor, lab PI, unit\u2019s Lab Safety Chair, Voiland College Safety Chair, Voiland College Facility, Operations, &amp; Safety Services, Voiland College Associate Dean of Research, or WSU\u2019s Environmental Health and Safety. Reporting can also be made anonymously by calling the Voiland College Facility, Operations, &amp; Safety Services, with a request to not disclose the individual reporting the concern. Reporting is a positive step and is a proactive measure to help create a safer environment. It will be responded with positive and corrective advisement, to help create a supportive learning environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Visibility-Access\">Visibility and Access<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the event of an emergency, being able to see into the area, before walking into the space, is a critical safety assessment tool. A clear view into a lab allows respondents to visibly verify aspects of a situation, or if the location is not clearly known, help in the discovery process to find the lab in need of assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Viewing active lab work is also a showcase opportunity for units to demonstrate the activities they are investigating. For the aforementioned reasons, views into labs need to be unobstructed. Exceptions can be made, but only in situations where the research absolutely requires it (for example, investigations requiring sheltered lighting environments or proprietary information).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is also critical to keep the doorways clear of items for easy entry and exit into and out of the lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>A clear, unobstructed view into all laboratory windows\/doors is required (research and teaching included).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All laboratories should have all interior window\/door blinds open, and any possible obstructions to views through windows\/doors removed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anything that could block visibility into the area should be located out of the way of the windows\/doors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All doorway vestibules and entry\/exit areas are to remain clear and unobstructed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Smoking\">Smoking On WSU Property Prohibited<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Washington State University prohibits smoking at all locations\/properties\/sites\/facilities per <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/6-00-contents\/6-10-smoking-tobacco-nicotine-use\/\">SPPM 6.10<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Policy\">University Policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All employees are expected to follow university policy related to their activities. Please visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/safety-resources\/\">Safety Resources page<\/a> for reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Glove Policy In Common Areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Wearing gloves outside the laboratory is not advised. When transporting chemicals or hazardous materials, use carts, bottle carriers or secondary containment trays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1ALom-JnuENViQjmhe0XWFFgApqCW29G6\/view?usp=sharing\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1ALom-JnuENViQjmhe0XWFFgApqCW29G6\/view?usp=sharing\">One Glove Rule<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>if you transport materials from labs through common areas, use an ungloved hand to touch common surfaces and a gloved hand to carry the items.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Safety builds trust, and is everyone\u2019s business. An accident does not just affect one person: it affects the people around them, too. Maintaining and enhancing a healthy and safe work environment is a responsibility shared by all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8867,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"wsuwp_university_location":[],"wsuwp_university_org":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1524"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8867"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1524"}],"version-history":[{"count":96,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8320,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1524\/revisions\/8320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1524"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_location?post=1524"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_org","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/foss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_org?post=1524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}