Safety Programs
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) offers training and resources in the following safety areas. Training information, online and in-person, is available online.
Asbestos Management Program
The Asbestos Management Program provides for the safe and proper control of friable asbestos containing materials in university buildings. Asbestos containing materials are normally found in sprayed on fireproofing, floor tiles, pipe insulations, roofing materials and other insulating products. The EHS office assists in the maintenance and abatement of these materials during repair or renovation activities.
Asbestos Awareness training is required for university maintenance related positions.
Bloodborne Pathogen Program
The Bloodborne Pathogen Program ensures that affected university employees can identify and manage potential exposures to bloodborne pathogens. The program was developed to comply with applicable environmental, health, and safety standards and regulations.
Declination Form
Building Safety Audits
Work site audits are conducted for the purpose of health, safety, and fire hazard identification. During these surveys, assessments are made for compliance to applicable building and fire codes and the detection of unsafe hazards.
Work site audits also provide an evaluation of compliance to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards relating to ergonomics, respirator use, hearing conservation, blood-borne pathogens and use of personal protective equipment.
Confined Space Program
The Confined Space Program ensures employee safety while working in or near confined spaces.
Electrical Safety Program
The Electrical Safety Program outlines the minimum safety practices necessary to protect employees from the risks of electric shock and arc flash hazards. It outlines the different levels of hazardous energy limitations, procedures, and PPE necessary to properly work on live electrical systems.
Fall Protection Program
The Fall Protection Program ensures employee safety while performing work in areas that are higher than six feet, including roof and aerial lifts. When an employee is working on a roof, a “High Work Permit” must be completed by the area supervisor and submitted to EHS.
- Fall Protection Program
- Fall Protection Program Summary
- Roof Safety Monitor Instruction Guidelines
- High Work Permit
- Fall Protection brochure
Hazard Communication Program
EHS coordinates the University's Hazard Communication Program, a standard mandated by OSHA and adopted by the Public Employee Risk Reduction Program. The program requires that hazardous materials within the workplace be identified and communicated to individuals who may have exposure. Any department that utilizes hazardous materials must compile an inventory list of the materials, along with applicable Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Hearing Conservation Program
The purpose of the Hearing Conservation Program is to identify and control noise hazards areas, and to identify and protect all employees who have the potential to develop occupational noise-induced hearing loss.
Lockout/Tagout – Control of Hazardous Energy Program
The Control of Hazardous Energy Program establishes minimum performance requirements and covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start-up of machines or equipment, or release of stored energy, could cause injury to employees.
Mold Guidelines
Guidelines have been developed for addressing minor mold growth inside Kent State buildings.
Respiratory Protection Program
The Respiratory Protection Program was developed to provide for the safety of employees exposed to respiratory hazards and comply with OSHA standards. Prior to the initial use of a respirator, an employee must complete a medical evaluation and be fit tested by the EHS department.
Silica Dust Awareness Program
It is the policy of Kent State Univeristy to take precautions to eliminate potential hazards in the workplace. The purpose of the university’s Silica Dust Safety Program is to identify the hazardsassociated with respirable silica dust and outline the steps to take to ensure employees who work with, or around silica are not exposed to hazardous levels of silica dust. Additionally, this program is to provide procedures for common silica related work duties to minimize exposure in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards 29 CFR 1910.1053(l) for general industry and maritime, 29 CFR 1926.1153(k) for construction and 29 CFR 1910.1000 Air Contaminants.
Crystalline silica is a basic component of soil, sand, granite, and many other minerals. Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica. All materials containing silica can result in the presence of respirable silica particles when chipping, cutting, drilling, or grinding takes place. Silica exposure occurs through inhalation of silica containing particles and may occur through construction and general industry activities. The most severe exposures generally occur during abrasive blasting with sand to remove paint and rust from bridges, tanks, concrete structures, and other surfaces. Other activities that may result in silica exposure include jack hammering, rock/well drilling, concrete mixing, concrete drilling, brick and concrete cutting/sawing, tuck pointing and tunneling operations. Exposure to excessive silica dust over long periods of time can result in adverse health effects such as silicosis.
This Silica Dust Safety Program applies to Kent State employees who are expected to be exposed to silica dust through the methods outlined above; or through other means, which are determined by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) or their supervisor.
Table One Silica Standard 1926.1153