University of Cincinnati
PA-15: Workplace Health and Safety

The State of Ohio’s Public Employment Risk Reduction Program, PERRP, ensures safe and healthy working conditions for Ohio’s public employees. PERRP’s occupational safety and health standards, rules and regulations reflect those of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA. These rules and regulations require the University of Cincinnati to have a health and safety program for employees which seeks to minimize the health and safety risk of UC workers.

The University of Cincinnati’s administrative policy statement on safety and environmental health reflects UC’s commitment to protecting our workers and the environment. The University’s safety policy statement follows.
(A) It is the policy of the University of Cincinnati to provide an environmentally safe work environment in support of the University of Cincinnati’s mission of teaching, education, and research.
(B) Equipment and design standards which meet or exceed applicable federal, state, and local regulations shall be adopted by the University to promote and effect this policy.
(C) Members of the University community shall support this policy by adhering to practices which meet or exceed applicable federal, state, and local standards for health and safety. At a minimum, these practices will include effective management of physical, chemical, biological, and radiological hazards, and controlled emission to the air, water, and land.
(D) All members of the University community shall report potential hazards to responsible parties, and shall work with the university to specify methods which will eliminate or minimize such hazards.
(E) To avoid injury and damage to themselves, others, and the environment, members of the University community shall respectfully use facilities and equipment.
(F) Each individual is responsible for managing his or her activities in a manner which prevents harm to the University community and its surrounding environs.
(G) Supervisors (including faculty and staff) are responsible for minimizing the risks to which students and employees may be exposed, and for correcting inappropriate behaviors. Supervisors shall assume this responsibility by monitoring students’ and employees’ compliance with the use of personal protective equipment and safe work practices. Supervisors shall also provide special, job-specific instructions commensurate with the specific demands of the students’ and employees’ tasks.

See University Rule 3361:10-45-01: Policy statement on safety and environmental health at the University of Cincinnati, http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/3361%3A10-45, for details.

UC has a structured system for ensuring that workplace injuries are reported and treated, and that any underlying issues illuminated by any such incidents are promptly addressed. UC's "Advisory 12.2: Work-related Injuries and Illnesses Policy" covers all University employees, and other individuals in accordance with Ohio Law. It provides an overview of how incidents are reported and tracked, based on OSHA guidance and criteria. This procedure outlines the steps to:
a. Receive prompt medical treatment of work-related injuries and illnesses.
b. Report incidences of work-related injuries and illnesses.
c. Report time off from work due to work-related injuries and illnesses, and to promote the efficient return to work.
d. File Workers’ Compensation claims.
e. Provide a means for identifying the corrective measures that will prevent future occurrences.

Section (e) of this policy addresses the University’s role that all work-related injuries and illnesses are investigated to verify the occurrence, to identify corrective actions, and to determine whether the injuries and illnesses are recordable under OSHA recordkeeping criteria. Logs of work-related injuries and illnesses are maintained by UC Environmental Health and Safety according to OSHA guidelines. OSHA recordable injuries and illnesses include:
a. All occupational deaths.
b. All occupational illnesses.
c. Occupational injuries that involve one or more of the following: loss of consciousness, restrictions of work or motion, transfer to another job, or medical treatment (other than first aid).

The OSHA 300 log is maintained electronically. The electronic program quantifies the number of cases by category and counts missed and restricted work day information.

Advisory 12.2 is available at the web sitehttps://ehs.uc.edu/advisories.aspx.

See https://ehs.uc.edu/Forms/2019_Summary.pdf