Biological Spill Clean-Up Kit If you work with human blood, human tissues, human or animal pathogens, recombinant viral vectors or other potentially infectious biological material, including human and non-human primate cell lines, Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety recommends you have a pre-assembled biological spill clean-up kit, which includes: Personal protective equipment: Gloves (two pairs) […]
Read MorePREVENTION OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN THE WORKPLACE Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. At the University of Utah, employees in different departments and occupations can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body […]
Read MorePERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: PPE With warmer weather it is easy to forget to use some of the required personal protective equipment to conduct your work safely. Regardless of the department you work in, if you are working with hazardous material or hazardous items, you must wear the required personal protective equipment at all times. Use […]
Read MoreWORK INCIDENTS AND YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES The University of Utah invests a substantial sum of resources into its employee’s safety including engineering controls, personal protective equipment, guidance documents for working with hazardous materials safely, safety training and medical facilities to treat injuries. If you have an incident at work, you must go to an Occupational Medical […]
Read MoreLADDER SAFETY: DOS AND DON’TS If you are new to working with ladders or if you have worked with them for years, please follow the dos and don’ts of ladder safety. DO…use the right ladder for the job. Ladder classification and capacity should be clearly labeled on the side rung of the ladder. DON’T…use step […]
Read MoreLADDER SAFETY: INSPECTING LADDERS Inspect ladders carefully. All ladders must be inspected periodically by a competent person, and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use. Including dropping the ladder or if it falls. Inspect ladders before each use, any defective and/or damaged ladders must either be immediately marked in a manner that readily identifies […]
Read MoreLADDER SAFETY: SELECTING THE CORRECT LADDER FOR THE JOB There are many types of ladders, ranging from simple wooden job-built ladders to specialty ladders used for specific jobs. Ladders may be made of timber, aluminum or fiberglass. There are three main types of ladders used in the construction industry: Extension Step Multipurpose Keep the following […]
Read MoreSLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS Slips, trips and falls can happen anywhere inside or outdoors regardless of the job you work in. Some of the issues that can lead to employees, students and visitors being exposed to these issues included: · Distracted walking (listening, playing or talking on devices) · Uneven floors · Poor housekeeping (spills […]
Read MoreSite Specific training topics for Supervisors If you are an existing manager or new manager, you should be current on training your employees regarding hazards that can be found specific to your department, location or lab space. Items you should address include: Emergency plans, evacuation routes, use of evacuation chairs, assembly locations and emergency actions. […]
Read MoreBLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS, VIRAL VECTORS AND BIOSAFETY LEVEL TRANING The Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety will be conducting a training on blood-borne pathogens, viral vectors and BSL2 exposure control. Participants will learn the risks associated with blood-borne pathogens, the biology of common viral vectors and procedures to be followed when working in a biosafety […]
Read MoreSECURE IN PLACE ANNOUNCEMENT It is possible that during your time at the University of Utah, you may receive a campus alert instructing you to secure in place. You should secure in place during violence, threat of violence, when an active assailant has been reported or is nearby, or otherwise when instructed to do so […]
Read MoreSUSPICIOUS PACKAGES Do not move, open, cover or investigate any package you receive that is unexpected or unknown with any combination of the following characteristics: Foreign mail, air mail or special delivery Restrictive markings such as confidential or personal,etc. Excessive postage Handwritten, poorly typed address Incorrect titles Titles but no names Misspelling of common words […]
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