General Responsibilities
- Communicate to employees, contractors, students and visitors that safety, health, and concern for the environment are values of UVM and that everyone shares the obligation to work in a safe, healthy and environmentally protective manner.
- Analyze work procedures to identify hazards; and to make sure measures are implemented to eliminate or minimize those hazards; and document that hazard assessment.
- Provide information about workplace hazards and safety and health related procedures to employees, contractors, students and visitors, and document that training.
- Supply the proper safety equipment to individuals working in their operations, and enforce the use of that equipment.
- Monitor that safety and health responsibilities are carried out by everyone working under their supervision, including contractors.
- Ensure that workplace safety inspections are performed regularly, records are kept, and any deficiencies identified in self-assessments or other inspections are addressed.
- Encourage prompt reporting of health and safety problems without fear of reprisal.
- Stop work being carried out under their authority if they believe that continuation of the work poses an imminent danger to the safety or health of people in the vicinity. If the situation cannot be corrected immediately, the supervisor must notify the Chair or Director under whose responsibility the work is being performed.
Training Responsibilities
- Determine appropriate training requirements for those working under their supervision, in consultation with the Risk Management & Safety (RMS) and/or the Training & Compliance Office (TCO).
- Provide training, assisted by RMS/TCO.
- Ensure that work is performed only by persons who have received the proper training.
- Document all required training.
- Incorporate safety discussions into routine meetings.
Emergency Response and Training:
Contribute information as needed for the development of the unit's plan; ensure that those working in her or his operations know about the plan; and communicate the importance of participating in drills. Prepare for and report immediately to the UVM Police Department any hazardous material spills or releases that could result in exposure of individuals or in a release outside the laboratory or other location where these materials are stored or used.
Hazardous Waste Minimization and Disposal:
Ensure that work being carried out in their operations is consistent with campus hazardous waste source reduction and management. Inform employees and students that hazardous materials may not be disposed of via the sewer system, regular trash, fume hoods; and to stress the importance of adherence to legal and acceptable disposal methods.
Delegation
Many of the specific activities described in this section above may be delegated. While this work may be delegated, the supervisor retains the responsibility for ensuring that required programs are implemented and required duties are carried out in an appropriate manner.