General & Occupational Safety:
All workers, students and visitors have the right to work, visit and live in a safe and healthy environment. The department of Environmental Health and Safety promotes this concept through programs and services designed to prevent accidents and injuries on the job and as a general procedure around campus. Our department works proactively with employees to reduce occupational injuries and illnesses in the workplace by providing consultation, training and inspections on improving the safety culture on the campus by:
- Conducting workplace inspections and safety audits for offices and observed work
- Consultation of unsafe construction projects and equipment
- Response to worker incidents about safe procedures during work hours
- Conducting accident investigations where the need for increased training can benefit all involved
- Holding necessary specific training that targets hazards like: fire extinguisher training, fall protection, ladder safety, and arc safety awareness
Fall Protection:
Background
"In 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that 1,224 construction workers died on the job, with 36 percent of those fatalities resulting from falls. Events surrounding these types of accidents often involve a number of factors, including unstable working surfaces, misuse of fall protection equipment and human error. Studies have shown that the use of guardrails, fall arrest systems, safety nets, covers and travel-restriction systems can prevent many deaths and injuries from falls." (Source: OSHA).
When is Fall Protection Required?
Whenever a University employee engaged in construction/maintenance activities is exposed to a potential fall of 6 feet or greater from an unprotected side or edge, the OSHA Fall Protection Standard for Construction applies (29 CFR 1926.501). OSHA mandates that the University select either a guardrail system, safety net system or personal fall arrest system to protect the worker from a fall. Examples of common work tasks requiring fall protection equipment include: roofing, work from scaffolds and articulating boom trucks and work around holes - including skylights.
Other University operations involving fall hazards are covered under the OSHA General Industry Standard for Walking-Working Surfaces, Guarding Floor and Wall Openings and Holes (29 CFR 1910.23). Guardrails are required around any open-sided floor or work platform 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor. All floor holes and skylight openings must be guarded.
Training:
Training can be scheduled upon request by contacting EH&S at x4111
Contact:
If you have any questions, please contact EH&S at x4111
Forklift Training:
OSHA standard 1910.178(2)-(7) for forklift training states, trainees may operate a powered industrial truck only:
- Under the direct supervision of persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence; and
- Where such operation does not endanger the trainee or other employees
Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (lecture, discussion, video, and written material), practical training, and evaluation of the operators performance in the workplace.
All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and and evaluate their competence.
An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years.
If you would like more information regarding this standard, please visit the OSHA.gov.
Training:
Training can be scheduled upon request by contacting EH&S at x4111
Contact:
If you have any questions, please contact EH&S at x4111
Lockout / Tagout Policy:
Lockout/ Tagout Safety Manual (PDF)
Through training, employees will be required to posses the knowledge and skills required for safe application, usage and removal of energy controls.
Scope
 This program specifically outlines the purpose, procedures, and training to be utilized by U.T. Dallas employees, its contractors, an agents on a daily basis to guard against the unexpected energizing, start-up, or release of stored energy, which could cause injury. It shall be the duty of each employee to become familiar with the contents of this program and ensure compliance with its procedures. Heads of departments shall ensure that employees under their supervision receive training in the contents of this program and ensure training records are maintained.
Purpose
The purpose of this program is to establish a method for the control of hazardous energy by minimizing the potential for inadvertent activation of equipment.
A wide variety of energy sources may need to be locked out during service or maintenance This includes but is not limited to:
- Electrical equipment
- Hydraulic
- Pneumatic
- Mechanical
- Gravity
- Thermal
- Chemical
- Fluids and Gases
- Water under pressure
- Steam
Training:
If you would like to schedule a Lock out / Tagout training session, please contact EH&S at x4111.
Contact:
If you have any questions, please contact EH&S at x4111
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