University of North Carolina, Charlotte
PA-15: Workplace Health and Safety

The University follows a compliance program with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina that is designed to provide a safe and healthy working, teaching, and learning environment, as well as an atmosphere of safety and health awareness. The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) office is responsible for: planning and recommending programs that adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to environmental health and safety; assisting supervisors with implementing programs in their areas; curtailing or stopping work that pose a clear and imminent danger to the health or safety of the University community; reviewing the program and updating it as needed to ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations. EHS provides consultative services (e.g., safety assessments, emergency preparedness, and training) and enforcement services (e.g., audits, inspections, investigations) to the campus. These services identify and eliminate hazards that create an unsafe work environment. EHS consults with departments, agencies, or other personnel to evaluate and address safety concerns. EHS communicates regulatory compliance and injury incident prevention best practices to the campus. EHS conducts assessments of buildings, equipment, and materials to evaluate the potential regulatory compliance requirements. EHS office evaluates all reported unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, near-miss, fires, chemical spills, or other similar incidents. EHS inspects buildings and audits safety programs to ensure continuous improvement and regulatory compliance.

Accidents and incidents, no matter how minor, are reported to eliminate unsafe conditions and prevent reoccurrence. The Environmental Health & Safety office (EHS) has reporting forms to facilitate the written communication and follow-up required after each accident/incident occurs. Employees have the responsibility to report work-related accidents and incidents to their supervisor immediately, and no later than 24 hours after the incident occurs. Supervisors are responsible for seeing that all accidents and incidents are investigated.