B.  Appendices

• Appendix 1 – Hazard Assessment Certification Form

C. Introduction

The responsibility to maintain a safe workplace resides with each employee. That responsibility includes the elimination of hazards wherever possible and reporting actual or potential hazards immediately upon observation. Specific safety responsibilities are identified in this chapter’s subsequent sections and further discussed as they apply to chapters in the Accident Prevention Program (APP).

IN SITUATIONS WHERE IMMINENT DANGER OR SERIOUS HAZARD(S) EXIST(S), ANY EMPLOYEE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO CEASE WORK UNTIL THE DANGER OR HAZARD HAS BEEN CONTROLLED.

D. Chairs and Directors

Chairs and Directors ensure employees in their units adhere to State rules, WSU, and departmental safety policies. Chairs and Directors must coordinate and manage safety responsibilities with their supervisors and employees as appropriate to effectively implement safety policies. Safety performance shall be specifically addressed in position descriptions and performance evaluations.

Chairs and Directors shall:

• Administer the Safety Program for their unit.
• Adopt this APP and provide input/revision as necessary to address and incorporate unique unit requirements while adhering to State rules.
• Solicit input from subject-matter experts ensuring Departmental policies are aligned with State requirements.
• Ensure supervisors implement Department safety policies per this APP.
• Ensure supervisors perform and document Hazard Assessments and identify the resources necessary to provide appropriate engineering and administrative controls and/or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to unit personnel.
• Disseminate safety information to appropriate personnel.
• Receive and review reports, surveys, accident reports, and other information relating to safety and loss control.
• Review injury trends and establish prevention measures.
• Review and/or conduct incident investigations and inspections.
• Evaluate the need for corrections that may be necessary to remedy or improve various workplace safety concerns, allocate necessary resources, and ensure the remedy is implemented and maintained.
• Ensure appropriate participation in Department Safety Committee meetings.

E. Supervisors

Supervisors ensure their employees adhere to safety policies and are provided the necessary training and resources to perform work safely. Supervisors are accountable to the director for adherence to relevant safety policies and objectives. Safety performance shall be specifically addressed in position descriptions and performance evaluations.

Supervisors shall:

• Ensure safety policies and procedures are understood and implemented by themselves and their employees.
• Promote employee participation in the health and safety
• Perform and document Hazard Assessments of work areas under their control and tasks performed by their Hazard assessments shall identify the engineering and administrative controls and/or PPE necessary to perform work safely.
• Ensure their employees receive the required and necessary training to implement hazard controls and wear PPE. References below.
  • APP Chapter 2 (Accident Prevention Program General Guidance and Instructions), part D, New-Hire Safety Orientation.
    • https://cas.wsu.edu/safety/accident-prevention-program-general-guidance-and-instructions/
  • CAS APP Chapter 29, Safety and Health Training.
    • https://cas.wsu.edu/safety/safety-and-health-training/
  • HRS Learning Administrator and other roles for accessing employee training.
    • https://hrs.wsu.edu/learning-administrators-and-other-user-roles/
      • Management Authorization Request-Learning Administrator Form submitted to HRS.
        • https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ManagementAuthorizationRequest_LearningAdmin-1.pdf
      • Require the proper care and use of
      • Eliminate or control workplace hazards quickly when observed or identified to them by their employees.
      • Report to the Director any workplace hazards observed or identified by them or their employees that are outside their ability to remedy, or require additional resources, to control.
      • Review injury trends and establish prevention
      • Submit incident reports and conduct supervisor’s accident investigations when employees sustain a work-related injury or are subject to a significant near miss. Incident reports, and if required, accident investigation reports conducted by supervisors, are necessary regardless of location so long as employees, students and guests are conducting WSU business. This includes, but is not limited to, guest lecturing at other institutions, elementary and secondary school outreach demonstrations, field work and conferences.
        • For assistance in determining incident and accident investigation reporting requirements, please see also the incident and accident investigation reporting flowchart at the link below.
          • http://cas.wsu.edu/safety/documents/2021/10/incident-reporting-flowchart.pdf
        • Act to secure prompt medical attention for injured
        • Enforce the conditions of WSU’s Return to Work

F. Employees

Employees actively participate in Department health and safety programs, familiarize themselves with WSU and Departmental safety policies, and work with their supervisors and coworkers to control or eliminate workplace hazards.  Employees have the right and responsibility to refuse unsafe work. Employee safety performance shall be specifically addressed in position descriptions and during performance evaluations.

Employees shall:

• Review, understand, and adhere to State safety rules and WSU and Departmental safety policies, including this APP.
• Strive to make all work environments and operations safe.
• Maintain and regularly update hazardous material and chemical inventories.
• Report for work in good physical and mental condition to safely carry out assigned duties.
• Keep all work areas clean and free of debris and obstacles.
• Request assistance or training when unsure of how to perform any task safely.
• Correct unsafe conditions within their scope of work.
• Report observed safety and health violations, suspected violations, and anticipated hazards to his or her immediate supervisor immediately upon observation or detection. If such reported conditions are not subsequently corrected, the employee is to report the failed correction to their Supervisor or the Director for further action.
• Proactively and constructively participate in safety training.
• Pass the verification testing for all mandatory safety training courses prior to performing work. Mandatory training can be found at:
  • https://cas.wsu.edu/safety/safety-training/
• Use and maintain all PPE and safety devices provided.
• Maintain and properly use all tools under his or her control.
• Assist fellow employees in implementing safety procedures and adhering to safety requirements.
• Not interfere with another employee’s use of any safety device or safeguard.
• Not use intoxicating beverages or narcotics in or around the workplace or enter the workplace while under the influence of intoxicating beverages or narcotics.

G. Safety Compliance

• Purpose: Compliance with all safety rules and procedures is a condition of employment when working for the College of Arts and Sciences. All employees must familiarize themselves with University, College and Department safety policies and procedures and comply with them in every  Supervisory personnel at all levels are responsible for taking immediate corrective action when an unsafe action is observed.
• Reporting: If non-compliant behavior or conditions are observed, or come to the attention of any employee, immediate action shall be taken to correct the non-compliant behavior or condition and the employee’s supervisor shall be
• Labor and Industries Site Inspection: If a Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Division of Occupational Safety and Health (L&I/DOSH) inspector arrives at your work location in Pullman to conduct a safety and health inspection, immediately contact your supervisor who in turn will contact their chain of command and contact WSU Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) at 509-335-3041. If not on-site when the inspector arrives, the immediate supervisor will go to the site as soon as If on-site, the supervisor will remain on-site while the inspector is present. EH&S serves as the L&I/DOSH coordinating liaison for WSU and will assist with the inspection process.
• Investigation: The supervisor shall immediately investigate and document the
• Action: Failure to comply with safety policies and procedures is to be considered serious and result in timely corrective or disciplinary action judged to be appropriate for the specific circumstances at Progressive corrective or disciplinary action is appropriate for addressing non-compliance issues, recognizing that more serious offenses do not necessarily require that intermediate steps be taken first. Questions concerning appropriate corrective or disciplinary action should be addressed to the appropriate department head or Human Resource Services.