University Business Policies and Procedures Manual

6110
SAFETY, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS (SHEA)
Effective Date: August 1, 1997
Subject to Change Without Notice

1. General

The University of New Mexico is committed to:

• providing a safe and healthy work and educational environment that is free from recognized hazards that could be responsible for injury or illness;
  
• protecting the University's assets; and
  
• ensuring the University's impact on the environment is positive.

To achieve these goals the University has an extensive loss control program administered by the University Risk Management Department. This program is described in "Risk Management" Policy 6100, UBP. The University Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs (SHEA) works with the Risk Management Department and the Campus Loss Control Committee to identify, evaluate, and control hazards and potential losses.

The ultimate responsibility for safety, however, cannot be delegated as a staff function, it must be assumed by every member of the University community. Faculty, staff, and students must comply with all University safety, health, and environmental programs, rules, regulations, and policies designed to prevent accidents and job related illnesses, and to protect the environment. A safe environment reduces the risk of accidents and associated costs, improves employee morale, and increases productivity.

2. Campus Wide Responsibility

Deans, directors, department heads, and other supervisors should be aware of the health and safety needs of their employees and customers. Departments should work with SHEA and the Risk Management Department to carry out all preventive and corrective measures necessary to minimize hazards. Safety should be an integral part of all courses, especially when there is a potential for accidental injury or illness related to activity in classrooms, laboratories, studios, or shops.

3. UNM Safety, Health, and Environment Affairs Manual

SHEA is responsible for ensuring compliance with safety, health and environmental standards from local, state and federal regulatory agencies. SHEA guides and helps University departments to comply with these standards and publishes the UNM Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs Manual which gives University departments quick and easy access to SHEA program information. It is critical that departments place this Manual in a location so it is readily available to all employees at all times.

 4. Regulatory Agencies

If a representative of a regulatory agency contacts an employee or student and requests to inspect a facility, the employee or student should contact SHEA immediately. SHEA will facilitate the inspection and provide trained employees to work with the agency.

5. SHEA Service Divisions

SHEA, a component of the Risk Management Department, provides comprehensive safety, health and environmental management services to the University. SHEA works to reduce accidents and injuries and ensure that the University's impact on the environment is positive by identifying potential hazards. SHEA works with University departments to eliminate any problems. SHEA consists of the following divisions.

• Administration and Training
• Safety
• Environmental Affairs
• Industrial Hygiene
• Radiation Safety

5.1. Administration and Training Division

The Administration and Training Division of SHEA coordinates SHEA activities and provides support for SHEA training programs. This Division is responsible for coordination of the following programs and activities.

• The Building and Laboratory Inspection Program
• A Comprehensive Safety and Health Training Program
• Health Sciences Center JCAHO Compliance
• The UNM Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs Manual
• Emergency Preparedness Activities
• Employee Accident Trending and Reporting
• The Asbestos Management Program

5.1.1. University Building Coordinator Program

This Administrative and Training Division also coordinates the University Building Coordinator Program. This program enhances communication between building occupants and the Risk Management Department and SHEA. Building coordinators are in most campus buildings and are responsible for distributing safety and regulatory information to and from building occupants.

5.2. Safety Division

The Safety Division of SHEA inspects University facilities and identifies unsafe situations or actions that could cause accidents or injuries. The Safety Division is responsible for the following programs and/or regulations.

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations such as Confined Space, Lock-Out Tag-Out, and Personal Protective Equipment
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations
• Accident Investigations
• Defensive Driving Program
• Fire Safety Program
• Electrical Safety Program
• Ergonomics Program
• Slip-Trip-Fall Prevention Program

5.3. Environmental Affairs Division

The Environmental Affairs Division of SHEA is responsible for the collection, minimization, recycling, transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials. This Division is responsible for the following programs and/or regulations.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, such as Hazardous Chemical Waste
• New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) environmental regulations
• Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Air Quality Control regulations
• Albuquerque Public Works Department regulations
• Clean Air Act Compliance Program
• Drinking Water, Storm Water, and Wastewater Programs
• Chemical Spill Response Program
• Chemical Storage Program
• Community Right-To-Know Reporting
• Infectious Waste Program

5.4. Industrial Hygiene Division

The Industrial Hygiene Division of SHEA monitors the work environment to determine potential employee and/or student exposure to chemical, biological or physical hazards. If potential health hazards are identified, the Industrial Hygiene Division develops abatement programs to reduce the risk of injury or illness resulting from exposure to these hazards. The Industrial Hygiene Division is responsible for the following programs and/or regulations.

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations including the Hazard Communication (Right-To-Know) Program, the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Standard, and Hearing Conservation
• Chemical Inventory and MSDSs
• Industrial Hygiene Monitoring Program
• Indoor Air Quality Program
• Local Exhaust Ventilation Management Program
• Biosafety Program
• Contractor Chemicals Program

5.5. Radiation Safety Division

The Radiation Safety Division of SHEA works to protect individuals and the environment from unnecessary exposure to radiation including radiation-producing machines and radioactive materials. This Division is responsible for the following programs and/or regulations.

• New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) radiation protection requirements
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements
• Radioactive Material Inventory
• Radioactive Material Waste Disposal
• Radioactive Material Shipping/Receiving Program
• Radiation Producing Machines (x-ray units) Program
• Personnel Dosimetry Program
• Laser Safety Program
• Non-Ionizing Radiation Program

Comments may be sent to UBPPM@UNM.edu
http://www.unm.edu/~ubppm