CHEMICAL SPILL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES If a chemical spill occurs, remain calm and follow these steps. Attend to anyone who may have been contaminated. Notify occupants in the immediate area about the spill. Evacuate all nonessential personnel from the spill area. If the spilled material is flammable, turn off all ignition and heat sources; including magnetic […]
Read MorePOWDERED GLOVE BAN As of Jan. 18, 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of powdered patient examination gloves, as well as absorbable powder for lubricating gloves. The FDA determined that the powder presented an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury that cannot be corrected or eliminated by labeling or […]
Read MoreINDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONCERN: ODORS If you experience strange or unusual odors that are not extremely strong or acutely irritating, complete the Indoor Environmental Quality Concern form by clicking here. If the odor is strong or acutely irritating and causing symptoms such as burning, watering eyes, running noise, coughing, etc., leave the area immediately and […]
Read MoreFIRE ALARMS Fires are a concern year-round, including the winter months. When fire alarms sound in a university building, all occupants must evacuate. You need to be familiar with the sound of the fire alarm and the locations of pull stations in buildings you frequent. Learn how to operate these pull stations and do not […]
Read MoreCOMMITMENT TO SAFETY With the New Year upon us, the University of Utah would like all supervisors and employee to recommit to the prevention of job-related injuries. For a department meeting, may we suggest, using the New Employee Safety Orientation PowerPoint located here, to reinforce this commitment to safety at the University. For other topics […]
Read MoreEmergency Response Guides The new Emergency Response Guides have arrived. You may contact the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) or the University Police to have them delivered. These guides provide detailed information on what to do and who to contact in the event of an emergency.
Read MoreLABORATORY CLOSEOUT REQUIREMENTS Legacy items left in laboratories, such as chemicals or equipment, can increase costs while delaying new occupant remodeling projects and startup operations. To forestall such situations investigators vacating University of Utah facilities or relocating within the U system are responsible for leaving laboratories in a state suitable for re-occupancy or renovation. The […]
Read MoreBLOODBORNE PATHOGENS (BBP) In light of the recent report that hundreds of patients at a VA dental clinic may have been exposed to bloodborne pathogens (BBP), it is important to ensure that employees are aware of the need to practice universal precautions and receive annual training if they are potentially exposed to BBP as part […]
Read MoreINDOOR CLEAN AIR ACT As a state agency, the University of Utah is obligated to prohibit smoking within all buildings (leased, owned or operated) and in state vehicles. Additionally, smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of an operable window, entrance or air intake vent. Urns are placed at entrances, not to facilitate smoking, but rather to provide […]
Read MoreRESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM Some situations at the University may require the use of an air purifying respirator. For this reason the University has an established respiratory protection program which outlines the requirements for use of respiratory protection, such as respirators, on campus If you feel that you need to use a respirator in your work […]
Read MoreHOLIDAY DECORATIONS TREES Natural cut trees are not permitted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Artificial trees are permitted in areas that do not block exits, exit signs or other emergency equipment Artificial trees must be flame resistant or flame retardant. Electrical wiring used on artificial trees shall be UL listed. LIGHTS Decorative lights must […]
Read MoreMERCURY THERMOMETER EXCHANGE PROGRAM[bs_row class=”row”][bs_col class=”col-sm-4″][/bs_col][bs_col class=”col-sm-8″]In an effort to reduce the risks associated with mercury thermometers, the department of Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, the Office of Sustainability with funding from the ASU have created a mercury thermometer exchange program. This program will dispose of mercury thermometers in campus laboratories and replace them […]
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