Safety Affairs

EFFECTIVE: 6/1/94

Pending OSHA standards and existing State of Tennessee law requires the establishment of a Safety Committee at each primary location of an employer.1 It shall be the policy of the University of Tennessee that such a committee be established.

The committee shall consist of:

1) Representation from the faculty, exempt and non-exempt staff and student body. The exact ratio membership and number, and term of those persons appointed shall be determined by the Chancellor or his/her designatee.

2) Appointment to the safety committee shall be made by the Chancellor or Chief Executive Officer of the campus involved.

3) The chair of the safety committee shall be appointed by the Chancellor or Chief Executive Officer.

4) The committee shall meet at least semi-annually. The unapproved minutes of its meetings shall be reported as soon as possible to the Chancellor or Chief Executive Officer of the location; with copies to UWA Safety Officer.

COMMITTEE CHARGE

The committee shall review and advise the administration, including the Chancellor or Chief Executive Officer, on matters relating to the safety and health of employees, faculty, students and visitors to the university. Specific duties of the safety committee shall include:

1) To review and advise the SO and the administration on proposed or amended campus safety and health policies and procedures.

2) Review reports of the SO relating to potential physical hazards and practices that might be a source of future accidents, injuries or illnesses, and make recommendations for further actions to be taken. The safety committee is to be advised of those efforts already taken place to reduce or control future accidents from occurring.

3) To review and recommend to the administration the goals and objectives for future actions by the campus SO in the conduct of the safety and health program of the campus.

4) To serve and assist the campus safety function in the:

a) Dissemination of information, policies and procedures about safety and health, throughout the university community,

b) Analyzing the courses, trends and occurrences of various types of accidents involving people and property and make recommendations for any needed action,

c) Assist or make recommendations for the coordination of all available campus resources for safety and health including, but not limited to, the special talents, knowledge and assets available to accomplish the safety and health function at the campus and,

d) Review the results of the Annual Safety and Health Audit and provide support and assistance where and when needed to achieve needed abatements or corrections.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE

1) To serve as an additional conduit of information to and from the administration, the staff and faculty on matters involving safety and health,

2) To represent the needs of all members of the university community on matters involving their safety and health.

EXCEPTION TO THIS POLICY

Does not apply to:

1) The existing Radiation Safety Committees required under the comprehensive nuclear licenses,

2) The already established Hospital Safety Committees, or

3) Any existing student safety (Security) Committee.

1 Tennessee Workers Compensation Reform Act of 1992, and proposed and pending OSHA Workplace Safety Act.

Reference: Subject N. Visitor/Patient Safety, Page 21.
Subject Q. Motor Vehicle Safety, Page 24.