General Rules and Procedures

Record Keeping Procedure 

EH&S will maintain employee accident and injury records. Records are maintained for a minimum of three (3) years and include: 

• Accident Investigation Reports
• Workers' Compensation Notice of Injury Reports
• Log & Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses 

Safety Rules

The following safety rules are provided for general information on topics that pertain to all University employees. For other, more specific rules please refer to the appropriate policy manual or call EH&S. Employees are to follow these rules, review them often and use common sense in carrying out assigned duties. 

Lifting Safely 

1. Plan the move before lifting; remove obstructions from your chosen pathway. 
2. Test the weight of the load before lifting by pushing the load along its resting surface. 
3. If the load is too heavy or bulky, use a hand truck or get assistance from a coworker. 
4. Position your feet 6 to 12 inches apart with one foot slightly in front of the other. 
5. Face the load. 
6. Bend at the knees and keep your back straight.
7. Get a firm grip on the object with your hands and fingers. Use handles when present. 
8. Do not lift anything if your hands are greasy or wet. 
9. Wear protective gloves when lifting objects with sharp corners or jagged edges. 
10. Hold objects as close to your body as possible.
11. Perform lifting movements smoothly and gradually; do not jerk the load. 
12. If you must change direction while lifting or carrying the load, pivot your feet and turn your entire body. Do not twist at the waist. 
13. Set down objects in the same manner as you picked them up, except in reverse. 
14. Do not lift an object from the floor to a level above your waist in one motion. Set the load down on a table or bench and then adjust your grip before lifting it higher. 

Office Safety  

1. Do not stand on furniture to reach high places. 
2. Use a ladder or step stool to retrieve or store items that are located above your head. 
3. Open one file cabinet drawer at a time. 
4. Put heavy files in the bottom drawers of file cabinets.
5. Close drawers and doors immediately after use. 
6. Use the handle when closing doors, drawers and files. 
7. Do not tilt the chair you are sitting in on its back two legs. 
8. Do not use extension or power cords that have the ground prong removed or broken off. 
9. Do not use frayed, cut or cracked electrical cords. 
10. Use a cord cover or tape the cord down when running electrical or other cords across aisles, between desks or across entrances and exits. 
11. Keep doors in hallways fully open or fully closed. 
12. Use handrails when ascending or descending stairs or ramps. 
13. Do not store or leave items on stairways or walkways. 
14. Do not run on stairs or take more than one step at a time.