Workplace Health and Safety Policy

The University is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment in all Workplaces by planning and conducting activities in a manner that promotes health and safety, preventing accidents and injuries, complying with applicable regulatory requirements, and promoting a culture of health and safety that is consistent with University Core Values.

1. Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for the development and implementation of Workplace Health and Safety programs and standards in order to establish an institutional framework for regulatory compliance, injury prevention, and best practices. Such programs will be developed in consultation with applicable committees, stakeholders, and University leadership, and will represent University Core Values.
   1. Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for safety for: Workplaces and activities in research environments and other activities conducted as part of the University research program, safety for Workplaces and activities in non-research environments, and for the development and implementation of medical assessment, monitoring, and intervention to support compliance and promote Employee health and safety in the Workplace.
   2. Environmental Health and Safety will develop health and safety programs that are applicable to both research and non-research settings and will regularly review programs to ensure applicable health and safety needs are met.
   3. Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for conducting investigations of complaints alleging unsafe conditions or activities, responding to and investigating accidents and incidents, evaluating inspection findings, and recommending corrective action as needed.
   4. Environmental Health and Safety will serve as the primary University liaison to regulatory agencies governing Workplace Health and Safety.
2. Safety committees will be established and maintained under the direction of Environmental Health and Safety as needed to address compliance requirements and regulatory oversight, loss prevention, and safety program review and evaluation.
   1. Membership will be appointed by Environmental Health and Safety.
   2. Environmental Health and Safety is expected to assign representatives to all safety committees and will provide staff support and safety/health expertise to these committees as needed.
3. Academic and administrative Unit leaders are responsible for ensuring that:
   1. Individuals under their management have the authority to implement appropriate health and safety practices and procedures, in accordance with regulatory and University requirements.
   2. Areas under their management have adequate training, resources, and equipment to comply with health and safety requirements.
4. Supervisors, including faculty and non-faculty supervisors, are responsible for protecting the health and safety of those who work under their direction or supervision. This responsibility includes:
   1. Being current with and implementing University Workplace Health and Safety policies and programs applicable to their area of responsibility.
   2. Ensuring that individuals under their supervision or within their Workplace are provided with appropriate safety training, equipment, resources, and time to perform their assigned duties in a safe and healthy manner.  
   3. Ensuring that Workplaces, including laboratories and equipment, are operated and maintained in a safe manner.
   4. Ensuring that Workplaces and activities under their direction, in consultation with Environmental Health and Safety, develop and implement appropriate safety procedures and practices to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
   5. Immediately reporting incidents, injuries, illnesses, or death(s) that occur while an Employee is working (regardless of the location where the Employee is/was working), in the Workplace, and/or which may be related to the Workplace or work performed by an Employee.
5. All Employees and DCCs covered by this Policy are responsible for:
   1. Being cognizant of hazards and conditions that may impact their health and safety.
   2. Participating in safety training programs as required by their supervisors and University policy.
   3. Adhering to Workplace Health and Safety programs and practices in their Workplace, including laboratory, classroom, and learning environments.
   4. Promptly reporting to supervisors or Environmental Health and Safety potentially unsafe practices or safety/health hazards in their Workplace, including laboratory, classroom, or learning environments.
6. Compliance with health and safety requirements and this Policy is mandatory.
   1. An Employee’s failure to comply with health and safety requirements in the Workplace may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment.
   2. Refusal to follow this Policy by a DCC could result in termination of that individual’s or organization’s relationship with the University.
   3. Employees will provide instruction for visitors on all applicable environmental, health, and safety requirements specific to the Workplace. Employees will require visitors to leave the Workplace if they fail to comply, pursuant to the Visitors in the Workplace Policy.
   4. Financial responsibility for any fines or penalties incurred as a result of non-compliance will be the responsibility of the Unit in which the non-compliance occurred that resulted in such penalty.

7. Location of Work

   In addition to complying with this Policy:

   1. Employees and DCCs who perform work for the University at an off-site location owned or operated by a third party may need to comply with the workplace safety policies of the third party.  
   2. Employees and DCCs who work at locations outside of Arizona may be subject to additional workplace safety rules depending on the jurisdiction.
8. Anonymous Reporting of Safety Concerns
   1. Individuals who wish to make an anonymous report of safety concerns or hazardous conditions may do so through the University Ethics and Compliance Hotline, which offers phone and online reporting options.
9. Employees and DCCs have the right to file complaints with outside agencies as well as with the University. If an Employee or DCC files a complaint with an external agency, the filing will not affect the University investigation concerning the same or similar events.
10. Prohibition of Retaliation.
    1. Retaliation against Employees and DCCs who report or assist in the review of unsafe practices or health and safety hazards is prohibited.
    2. An Employee or DCC who believes that they have been subjected to Retaliation in violation of this Policy should contact Human Resources.