The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has a legal and financial obligation to provide and maintain a safe and healthful environment for our employees, students, guests and residents of the community. In addition, UW-L is required by Governor's Executive Order 194 to develop and implement a written comprehensive health and safety program to reduce the incidence of workplace injuries and illnesses. This document, when implemented, complies with the intent of Executive Order 194.
Although not required by Executive Order 194, portions of this document extend beyond reducing the incidence of workplace injuries and illnesses. Noteworthy variances include:
The inclusion of employees, students and local, regional, national and international communities in this program is consistent with UW-L's Vision Statement as outlined in the Strategic Plan which was published in Fall 1993.
Alike the Strategic Plan, the Environmental Health and Safety Program Management and Implementation Plan will continue to evolve and meet our ever-changing needs. As specified in the Strategic Plan the plans are similar in that the "journey to fulfill this vision will be challenging and exciting as the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse moves FORWARD TOGETHER".
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of Wisconsin to provide a safe and healthy workplace for all state employees; and
WHEREAS, workplace injuries and illnesses produce human suffering, economic and social losses and impair the operating efficiency of state government; and
WHEREAS, workplace injuries and illnesses can be reduced or eliminated by systematic planning, training, safe work practices and the effective use of hazard control measures; and
WHEREAS, occupational accident and illness prevention requires management and employee commitment, accountability, cooperation, and leadership at all levels ofstate government; and
WHEREAS, laws and regulations governing health and safety in the workplace apply to the operation of state government; and
WHEREAS, state government should lead by example by complying with all state and federal health and safety requirements;
NOW, THEREFORE, I. TOMMY G. THOMPSON, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of this State, do hereby:
Proclaim that all state agencies, institutions and university campuses and centers must develop and promulgate a comprehensive written health and safety program whose purpose is to attain the following objectives:
FURTHER, all written Health and Safety programs must be submitted to the Department of Administration, Bureau of State Risk Management for approval and ongoing review. The Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations, Bureau of Safety Inspections, will maintain its authority and final approval of worksite safety plans required through Chapter ILHR 32 Administration Rules and the Bureau's inspection program.
The Department of Administration, Bureau of State Risk Management and the Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations, Bureau of Safety Services will report annually to the Governor on progress in achieving improved workplace health and safety in State government.
All state employees must be informed of this Executive Order, in its intent and requirements for providing a safe and healthy workplace throughout state government.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this thirtieth day of July in the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-three.
TOMMY G. THOMPSON*
Governer
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE*
Secretary of State
*Official Executive Order and Written Signatures on File in Environmental Health and Safety Office, UW-LaCrosse
The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse will strive to provide a safe and healthy environment. The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse will conduct all business in a manner that ensures protection for employees, students, guests and residents of the community. The campus will comply with applicable federal, state and local codes and regulations pertaining to the environment, health and safety.
All employees, including Campus administrative personnel, are responsible for compliance with environmental health, safety and risk management policies and procedures.
The Campus Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management program will operate under the following philosophy:
I. Charter
Develops Campus Safety and Environmental policies and programs for approval by Campus Administration (Chancellor or Chancellor's designee). Initiates new programs or projects and makes recommendations to improve and maintain a balanced safety and environmental posture on campus. Sets goals and objectives, reviews environmental and safety accidents, conducts audits, develops safety and environmental training programs, and promotes a high level of safety and environmental awareness among all Campus personnel. Takes other actions as necessary to improve the Campus Safety and Environmental Programs.
II. Membership
The Campus Environmental Health and Safety Committee shall be appointed by the Chancellor or the Chancellor's designee. The ensuing list indirectly identifies the individuals who shall be appointed to the Committee.
Committee members shall elect a Secretary from the members that are not serving as Chair, Vice-Chairs or Subcommittee Chairs.
Four subcommittees shall be chaired by Committee representatives as noted above. Committee and Subcommittee Chair appointments should be updated on an annual basis.
Each organization or group with a Committee representative shall designate an alternate representative. The alternate shall attend meetings whenever the regular representative is unable to attend.
The Chancellor or the Chancellor's designee shall periodically review and update Committee membership and structure based upon Committee recommendations.
III. Meetings
The entire Committee will meet at a frequency of once per month during the academic year and at a frequency determined by the Committee during summer session. Meeting announcements will be published in the Campus Connection.
All Subcommittee Chairs shall be prepared at each monthly Committee meeting to provide a brief status report and discuss Subcommittee activities.
All employees interested in making a contribution to the Committee are invited and strongly encouraged to attend committee meetings.
IV. Reports
The Committee and each Subcommittee shall keep meeting minutes and send a copy to the Committee Chair and other appropriate personnel.
All Subcommittee Chairs shall submit a brief written summary of Subcommittee activities to the Committee Chair on a quarterly basis. The summary shall include sections on: accomplishments, plans, and concerns/problems.
The Committee Chair shall compile all inputs into a brief report to the Chancellor. The Chancellor shall specify the frequency for receiving this report. An annual summary report will be submitted to the Chancellor, Environmental Health and Safety Program Administration and any other interested parties.
I. Charter
This subcommittee is responsible for developing methods for employees to immediately report any work related injury, illness or accident; this includes any non-work related injury or illness that may affect the performance of an individual's normally assigned duties. (Note: Non-work related reporting must be analyzed closely to determine what type of personal injuries or illnesses we can require employees to disclose and who has access to this information.)
The subcommittee shall develop methods to document and conduct thorough campus-wide injury, illness and accident analyses in a timely manner. The committee shall also review non-athletic/non-communicable student injury, illness and accident reports that occurred on Campus and are filed with the Health Center. The focus of the analysis and review will be on the cause of the incident and what actions can be taken to preclude recurrence.
The subcommittee shall establish and coordinate methods for the Campus to improve the OSHA record-keeping and Workers Compensation Program. Methods shall at minimum include cost containment measures (e.g. Return to Work Program), injury/ illness/cost trend analysis and documentation.
II. Membership
Chief of Protective Services, CHAIR
Environmental Health and Safety Program Manager
Health Center representative
Worker's Compensation (Personnel Office) representative
Wisconsin State Employees Union representative
Others as deemed by the Chair
III. Meetings
The subcommittee will meet at least once per month and at the call of the Chair.
IV. Reports
Once per month the Chair shall develop and distribute a report to highlight occupational health and safety indices. The indices should be developed for the prior month and calendar year. The report shall be distributed to the Environmental Health and Safety Committee and other appropriately deemed personnel.
I. Charter
This subcommittee is responsible for identifying and establishing the methods by which safety and environmental health training will be identified, coordinated and documented across the Campus. The methods and systems used will as a minimum be designed to keep the Campus compliant with all applicable laws and regulations pertaining to safety and environmental training and documentation.
The subcommittee will also assist the Committee and its subcommittees, as well as the Safety and Environmental office, in the areas of program publicity and recognition for significant achievements in the safety and environmental area.
II. Membership
Personnel Office representative, CHAIR
Environmental Health and Safety Program Manager
Wellness Program Coordinator
Information Services representative
Others as deemed by the Chair
III. Meetings
The subcommittee will meet at least once per quarter and at the call of the Chair.
I. Charter
This subcommittee is responsible for developing environmental policies and programs for the Campus. The policies and programs shall be compliant with federal, state and local regulations, in addition to UW System environmental policies.
The subcommittee shall promote waste minimization, conduct environmental audits, seek and recommend cost effective waste reduction projects, develop and coordinate environmental training with Training Subcommittee, and inform appropriate Campus personnel of pending environmental regulation impact on the Campus.
II. Membership
Environmental Health and Safety Program Manager, CHAIR
Campus Solid Waste Coordinator
Facilities Management representative
Chemistry Department representative
Others as deemed by the Chair
III. Meetings
The subcommittee will meet at least once per quarter and at the call of the Chair.
I. Charter
This subcommittee is responsible for developing the methods and processes by which safety and environmental health audits will be coordinated and documented across the Campus. The methods and systems used will as a minimum be designed to conduct annual facility audits in campus buildings. Corrective actions, follow-up audits and documentation procedures must be specified.
Methods shall incorporate a mechanism to allow Campus employees and students to report and receive corrective action feedback on safety and environmental hazards, including "Near Miss" incidents.
II. Membership
Wisconsin State Employees Union representative, CHAIR
Environmental Health and Safety Program Manager
Physical Plant Management
Risk Management representative
Others as deemed by the Chair
III. Meetings
The subcommittee will meet at least once per quarter and at
the call of the Chair.
Wisconsin Statute 101.01(2)(a) and DILHR define an employee as any person who may be required or directed by an employer, in consideration of monetary benefit, to engage in any employment or to go or work or be at any time in any place of employment. The definition applies to students who are employed by the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.
Every University of Wisconsin - La Crosse employee has the personal responsibility for complying with recognized environmental health and safety practices. All employees are required to comply with the following environmental and safety procedures by virtue of their status as an employee of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.
A Supervisor is defined as the person who the employee reports to for work assignments and/or other work-related obligations.
Supervisors occupy key roles in the UW - La Crosse Environmental Health and Safety Program. Supervisors have direct responsibility for the safety and health of the employees they supervise. Supervisors must demonstrate that they are genuinely concerned about the safety and health of all their employees and insist that good safety, health and environmental practices be followed at all times. To achieve this level of performance supervisors are held responsible for the following program components.
The Administration is defined as the Chancellor, Administrative Chancellors, Academic Deans, Department Chairpersons, Directors, or any other similar titles.
The Administration's responsibility is to conduct their operations in a manner that will ensure environmental protection and the safety and well-being of all University employees, students, guests and residents of the community. They will make sure that safety and environmental requirements are publicized, understood and enforced. They will take a strong personal role in establishing and maintaining accident, injury and illness prevention programs; in addition to active environmental and safety awareness in their areas. They will place strong emphasis on safety and environmental performance at all levels.
The Administration has responsibility for ensuring that environmental and safety concerns are valued by all University personnel. To achieve a high level of performance with this duty the Administration is held responsible for the following Environmental Health and Safety Program components.
The following environmental and safety practices are general rules that apply to all employees. The extent to which each employee accepts responsibility for implementing and enforcing these practices will demonstrate our collective commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for Campus employees, students, guests and residents of the community. When each of us does our share, all will benefit.
Administrative responsibility for the Campus Environmental Health and Safety Program has been assigned by the Chancellor to the Administrative Services Division, University Services Unit. The campus program is cooperatively developed and implemented through the Environmental Health and Safety Committee. The Program consists of a wide and diverse set of issues and regulations that affect the personal and financial assets of the UW - La Crosse.
The following goals and objectives (action plan) are established to provide a framework for specific actions to improve the Campus safety and environmental posture and stewardship toward the community. These documents will be periodically updated to reflect Campus needs based upon risk and/or hazard assessments conducted Campus Administration, the Environmental Health and Safety Committee, or other authority.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Contact Dan Sweetman for a current copy of the Goals and Objectives of the Environmental Health and Safety Committee.
The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, students, guests and residents of the community. All employees, including Campus administrative personnel, are responsible and accountable for compliance with environmental health and safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
Compliance with these regulations, policies, and procedures assists the University with loss control efforts. This benefits the University through protection of its personal and financial assets.
The following policy has been established to relegate Environmental Health and Safety Program responsibility and accountability to each University Department and Unit. In addition, the policy intends to ensure equitable contributions among Departments and Units for environmental health, safety and risk management costs unique to their areas.
Loss control expenditures are categorized into centralized and decentralized responsibilities.
Centralized funds will be financial resources allocated by the University specifically for environmental health and safety programs. Centralized funds will be utilized for environmental health and safety program components which cross division and college lines and benefit the entire University. Program components include Environmental Health and Safety personnel, support equipment, facilities repair and maintenance, monitoring services, training program development, and similar projects which benefit the entire campus.
The University will allocate an annual budget to support Environmental Health and Safety expenditures. The Environmental Health and Safety Committee will provide an annual recommendation to Business Services for annual funding levels.
Decentralized funds will be financial resources allocated by the Departments and Units. Decentralized funds will be utilized for Department and Unit specific control of environmental health, safety, and risk management concerns. Departments and Units shall begin forecasting these costs into their annual budgets, starting with the 1994-95 fiscal year.
Centralized and decentralized programs may also be supported by financial resources available through UW-System and the Department of Administration. Requests must be submitted for these small project programs or health, safety, and environmental funds. For assistance with acquiring these funds contact the Physical Plant/Facilities management.
Examples of Potential Centralized Expenditures
1. Funding for Health Center and/or licensed occupational
healthcare professional to provide the following services.
2. Laboratory analysis of environmental health and safety samples. Samples include, but are not limited to: air, hazardous waste, water, soil, surface contamination wipes, and bulk materials.
3. Purchase of educational tools related to development of health and safety training program.
4. Hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal costs, including waste minimization and related waste reduction activities.
5. Installation of emergency lighting, exit signs and notification system.
6. Purchase of hazard communication warning labels and/or computer based labeling system.
7. Purchase and distribution of chemical spill emergency response kits and supplies.
8. Installation of railings, stair-treads and other slip, trip and fall protection.
9. Installation of proper electric service equipment, including ground fault circuit interrupters.
10. Purchase, maintenance and repair of fire extinguishers.
11. Certification of asbestos workers and supervisors for small scale short duration asbestos abatement activities, provision of approved abatement equipment and supplies, and proper disposal of all asbestos containing materials. Development of asbestos operations and maintenance program, including identification and labeling of all asbestos containing materials.
12. Purchase, calibration, maintenance and repair of industrial hygiene, safety and environmental monitoring equipment.
13. Administrative costs for Environmental Health and Safety Office, including wages, benefits, office supplies and other operating expenses.
14. Compliance with Department of Industry Labor and Human Relations inspection results.
15. Environmental Health and Safety Committee support services, including secretarial assistance, program promotional activities and related administrative functions.
16. On and off campus attendance at pertinent and approved seminars, conferences and training programs.
Examples of Potential Decentralized Expenditures
1. Engineering controls to minimize or eliminate Department or Unit specific equipment and process hazards. Examples of engineering controls include but are not limited to: safety interlocks, equipment guards, spill containment, flammable storage cabinets, compressed gas cylinder supports, lifting aids and local exhaust ventilation.
2. Personal protective equipment, including but not limited to: gloves, safety glasses, foot protection, face shields, aprons, respiratory protection, hearing protection, head protection and harnesses.
3. Personnel resource time to attend training sessions, conduct audits, develop standard operating procedures, have at least two personnel present during any identified high hazard operation and other environmental health and safety responsibilities.
4. Adjustable office workstations, seating and other equipment necessary to provide ergonomically correct office environments.
5. Radiation Safety Program components, including but not limited to: dosimetry, monitoring equipment, shielding, radioactive waste disposal, licensing and other U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, state and local requirements.
6. Environmental Health and Safety incentive programs. Departments and Units should define the extent of incentives and receive administrative approval prior to implementation.
7. Biohazard waste containers, warning signs and labels.
8. Valve covers, hasps, locks and other equipment or supplies necessary to implement a lockout or tag-out of any hazardous energy source.
9. Periodic calibration of laboratory hoods, monitoring equipment and other systems per regulatory requirements or manufacturer recommendation.
10. Equipment and supplies necessary to minimize or eliminate hazards in confined spaces, elevated heights and other Department or Unit specific hazards.
11. Eyewash stations, drench showers and drench hoses necessary to minimize the severity of chemical exposure incidents.
This Environmental Health and Safety Management and Implementation Plan complies with the requirements of Governor's Executive Order # 194. All University of Wisconsin - La Crosse employees shall comply with the intent of this plan and future modifications approved by the Chancellor, Chancellor's designee or the Campus Environmental Health and Safety Committee.
Judith Kuipers, Ph.D. 9/29/93 *
Chancellor
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
*Written Signature and Date on File in Environmental Health and Safety Office
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Last updated March 23, 1999
