Student employees have the right to know about the hazards of chemicals they may work with and how to protect themselves. They also need to know exactly how to report any type of emergency situation.

An MSDS is an outline prepared by the manufacturer of a chemical that gives important physical, chemical, health, and safety information for users of hazardous chemicals. An MSDS must be sent the first time anyone purchases a chemical. Subsequent purchases from the same firm do not need a MSDS unless changes have been made. Federal OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulation requires all employees have ready access to MSDSs for all chemicals they might come into contact with during their work duties.

Emergency numbers should be posted. Departments should establish and communicate specific procedures for each type of incident that could occur.

Fire alarms alert others in the building of a fire or emergency situation. All dorms and various buildings are wired into safety services. It is a good idea to dial 5555 and give the dispatcher necessary information such as your name and what happened.

Departments must establish and communicate an emergency plan for fire emergencies.

The University has provided standardized sets of first aid supplies in every work area on campus. Familiarize everyone with the kit and its location.

Any accident or incident which occurs during employment must be reported on the Ashland University Occurence Report form, (see Appendix A) and forwarded to the Personnel office. This provides needed information should medical expenses/lost time occur, and initiates follow-up action to prevent similar incidents.

B. BIOLOGICAL SAFETY

Each department in which infectious agents are used or student employees have potential contact with, must develop and maintain a current Exposure Control Plan.

Exposure Control Plan means a written plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure.

The following topics will be addressed as a minimum:

All laboratories or work areas where hazardous materials are used must be provided with safety showers, eyewash fountains, appropriate fire extinguishers, adequate ventilation, handwash sinks, and approved waste disposal facilities. See B.4.1 thru B.4.3, eyewash stations, safety showers and fume hoods.

Highly visible signs should be posted for student attention to safety devices and to indicate specific hazards.

Engineering and work practice controls are used to eliminate or reduce exposure.

Engineering Controls means controls (e.g. sharps disposal containers) that isolate or remove a hazard from the workplace.

Work Practice Controls means controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed.

Departments should practice Universal Precautions where occupational exposure exists.

Universal Precautions is an approach to infection control. According to the concept of Universal Precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens.

Personal Protective Equipment is specialized clothing worn by an employee for protection against a hazard.

Appropriate PPE and barriers to prevent exposure to biohazards include:

Departments with risk of exposure because of tasks involving blood or other potentially infectious materials may require or recommend additional precautionary measures such as the Hepatitis B Vaccination.

If a student employee is involved in an incident where exposure to bloodborne pathogens has occurred, immediately notify the supervisor and the Personnel Office. A written summary of the incident and it=s cause shall be documented on the appropriate forms. A confidential process will follow.

The following topics will be addressed at a minimum:

Students should be informed of the:

Student employees using hazardous chemicals must be supervised by the faculty member in charge or by a properly trained teaching assistant.

All laboratories and work areas where hazardous chemicals are used by student employees must be provided with safety showers, eyewash fountains, fume hoods, appropriate fire extinguishers, adequate ventilation, wash sinks, and approved waste disposal facilities available to the students for their use.

Fume hoods must be used properly for protection against noxious chemicals.

Highly visible signs, temporary or permanent as appropriate, should be posted for student attention to safety devices and to indicate specific hazards. All chemicals used by students must be properly labeled with contents and hazards.

Storage of hazardous chemicals in teaching areas should be minimized. Storage on bench tops and in hoods is inadvisable.

If an occupational injury/illness requires medical attention, the supervisor should prearrange the employee triage visit through the Student Health Center (extension 5200). The Student Health Center is limited to normal work hours and is closed for the summer.

Safety Services will provide transport to The Student Health Center for triage or to the emergency room, depending on availability of the Student Health Center or severity of the incident.

If a chemical is involved, the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) should accompany the employee to treatment.

It is the policy of Ashland University that all work-related injuries and illnesses, regardless of severity, must be reported to management immediately and should receive prompt, competent first aid or medical care as needed.

The supervisor is responsible for obtaining treatment and for ensuring the employee complete the first page of the Occurrence Report. The Occurrence Report form documents the accident, illness or injury and will become a prevention tool for occupational accidents as well as provide pertinent information to process claims. All injuries, however minor, must be documented on an Occurrence Report and forwarded to Personnel as soon as possible.