Access, Safety and Security
- Workplace Access
- Workplace Safety
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Workplace Incidents or Injuries
- Workers’ Compensation
- Emergencies
WORKPLACE ACCESS
Kent State strives to provide a safe and secure environment and to meet the educational and professional needs of students and employees. In order to provide maximum privacy and security for individual office space, operational procedures have been established for the use of university buildings. (Policy 3342-5-12.403)
Open and closed periods for all non-academic buildings are regulated by the building curator. Academic buildings are closed from 11 p.m.– 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, and during the weekend, unless opened by request of the building curator, scheduling office, conference bureau, or other authorized university official. No facilities may be utilized for events after 1:30 a.m.
A university or university-contracted employee or student may use a closed building under the following conditions: The employee/student has the permission of the building curator and department/school chair (for students); the university-contracted employee is engaged in the performance of his or her job; the employee/student displays an academic building access authorization card and a valid Kent State ID.
No person may use an assigned office space for other than expressly authorized purposes. Violators will be subject to university discipline and possible criminal charges. For more information, visit the Lockshop University Facilities Management (UFM), or call (330) 672-0829.
Employees who are issued keys and/or key cards are expected to use them in the manner directed and to keep them in a secure area. Keys may not be copied, loaned or otherwise misused. When an employee leaves the university, the key/key card should not be passed down to other employees. Keys should be returned to the employee’s supervisor, who will return the key/key card to the Lockshop, where it will be deleted and/or destroyed. Additional information may be viewed at https://www.kent.edu/ufm/lock-shopkey-requests.
WORKPLACE SAFETY
Safety is a primary concern at Kent State and the university is committed to an employee safety and health program that meets the guidelines established by the state of Ohio. The university accepts the responsibility for leadership of the safety and health program, for its effectiveness and improvement and for providing the safeguards required to promote safe conditions. Employees are responsible for genuine adherence to all rules and regulations of the safety and health program and for continuously practicing safety while performing their duties. Employees must conduct their daily work functions in the safest possible manner to ensure and promote the type of working environment that is expected and desired.
No safety rule is a complete substitute for common sense, nor can safety rules be advised to cover every situation encountered on the job. For this reason, good judgment must be used in every work situation. Remember, safety is a primary responsibility of everyone.
The departments of Public Safety, Recreation Services and DeWeese Health Center offer courses, training and information on workplace safety issues, including support education and instruction. Please contact these departments directly for more information and specific offerings. The Department of Public Safety can be reached by calling (330) 672-2333.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
The university has implemented numerous programs mirroring standards set forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other safety resources. These programs include:Confined Space, Fall Protection, Hazard Communication, Laboratory Safety, Asbestos Management, Lockout and Tagout Procedures, and Respiratory Protection. (Policy 3342-6-22). Environmental Health and Safety is located in Suite 310 Harbourt Hall, Kent Campus. For more information, call (330) 672-1950.
WORKPLACE INCIDENTS AND INJURIES
All injuries should be promptly treated to avoid the possibility of complications. To secure maximum protection, employees should promptly report all on-the-job injuries and illnesses to their immediate supervisor. All non-injury incidents should also be reported immediately, since they indicate potential hazards and allow corrective measures to be taken.
As an option for employees, DeWeese Health Center is equipped to treat Workers' Compensation injuries. Access additional web resources at Compliance Forms Library and the HR Forms Library.
Other steps to be taken include:
- The supervisor will provide the individual with an “Employee Report of Injury or Occupational Illness” form and complete the accompanying “Statement of Supervisor.” If possible, the injured employee should complete the report by the end of their work shift and the completed form sent to Environmental Health and Safety within 24 hours of the incident.
- The supervisor will promptly and thoroughly investigate the alleged incident to ensure accuracy of the report and claim. Contact the Benefits office with questions concerning Workers’ Compensation. In addition, the office of Environmental Health and Safety will conduct an investigation on any injuries resulting in a visit to an Emergency Room, or medical treatment exceeding basic first aid.
- The supervisor will send the original report to the Environmental Health and Safety office and a copy to Human Resources Benefits Office. A copy should be kept by the department originating the injury report.
- Depending on the nature and severity of the injury someone from Environmental Health and Safety may contact the employee to update information regarding the incident.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
An employee injured in the performance of their normal job-related duties is entitled to file for benefits under the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Program. Following an initial visit, medical services should be provided by individuals and facilities certified by the BWC. However, no claim will be certified until the “Employee Report of Injury or Occupational Illness” and the accompanying “Safety Officer’s Investigation” forms have been completed and are filed with HR. Prompt follow-up of any injury-related incident will result in more efficient processing of any claim filed.
If an employee is required to miss work due to an occupational injury or illness, it is the employee’s responsibility to keep their department advised of their status. A doctor’s slip and leave form must be submitted. A new doctor’s slip and leave form must be submitted if there is a change in status or return to work date. In some cases, the employee may be required to be absent from work long enough to be eligible for compensation from the BWC.
A Transitional Work Program is available for eligible employees on a workers' compensation leave. Information is online at www.kent.edu/hr/transitional-work-program.
EMERGENCIES
In the case of any type of actual or imminent violent behavior on a Kent State campus, call 911. Policy 3342-5-14.1 governs the university to effectively prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from actual or potential emergencies.
Emergency Management Plan
The Kent State University Emergency Management Plan is a statement of policy and procedures regarding emergency management and assigns tasks and responsibilities to university officials specifying, and in some cases, redefining their roles during emergency or disaster situations. Access the Emergency Guide.
Emergency Guide
The Kent State University Emergency Guide is a companion document to the more comprehensive University Emergency Management Plan. The Emergency Guide provides “quick tips” for the individual response by students, faculty, and staff, to assist them in preparing for, and surviving, the catastrophic effects of those emergencies. Both share the goal of maximizing human safety and survival.
Severe Weather Procedures/Campus Closing
The university makes every effort to keep employees advised of the status of the university during severe weather. When employees are advised that they must come into work during a university closing, this falls under the definition of “essential personnel.”
The President and Regional Campus deans are the only people authorized to close a campus. If this determination is made prior to day shift reporting times, it will be communicated to employees via local radio, television stations, e-mail and on the Kent State website. If the closing occurs during regular operations, it will be communicated through the same communication channels. In addition, employees may receive emergency notifications via Flash ALERTS, Kent State’s official emergency text notification system to alert students, faculty and staff of critical information (i.e., a campus closing, classes canceled, emergency situation, etc.). Find out about FlashAlerts or choose your preferred campus(es) at www.kent.edu/flashalerts.
When the Kent campus is closed, it will re-open at 6 a.m. the following day. Regional campus employees should check with their respective Dean's office for re-opening information.
Student Death
In the unfortunate event of a current student’s death, the Dean of Students serves as the point person and lead of the student death protocol. Our protocol regarding the death of a student is centered around compassion for the family and the wellness of our university community. The Dean of Students works collaboratively with key campus constituents to assist with the needs of the family and the university community. Questions can be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students by emailing ODOS@kent.edu or calling (330) 672-8003. Visit the Student Death page for more information.
Security Aides
Kent State has a security aide program for students, faculty and staff on the Kent campus. Trained students are responsible for patrolling the residence halls and providing campus escorts between the hours of 8 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 8 p.m. – 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday nights. Find Security Aides/Escort Services, or call (330) 672-7004.
If employed on a regional campus, please refer to your campus’s Safety & Security webpage for more information on campus security.