Workplace Safety

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The Department of Environmental Health and Safety provides services and compliance guidance to the University community for many aspects of workplace safety.

Injury and Illness

Reporting Injury or Illness

  • Employees: Report all work-related injuries and illnesses to your supervisor immediately
  • Supervisor: Complete and submit Risk Management forms
  • Any work-related fatality, amputation or incident requiring hospitalization must be reported IMMEDIATLY to DPS (502) 852-6111

Risk Management Forms

If an employee is injured, it is the supervisor's responsibility to submit the Worker's Comp Claim Form to Enterprise Risk:

Life Threatening Injury or Illness

  • Call 911
  • Includes such injuries as severe lacerations, severe burns, fractures, loss of consciousness and uncontrolled bleeding.

Severe Chemical Exposure

  • Inhalation: Take victim to fresh air
  • Skin or Eye Contact: Immediately flush exposed areas with water for 15 minutes
  • Call 911
  • Severe chemical exposures to the skin must be taken via EMS to University Hospital
  • If possible, obtain Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for chemical and send to hospital with victim

Non Life-Threatening Injury or Illness

Needle Sticks or Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety provides services and compliance guidance to the University community for many aspects of workplace safety.

Personal Protective Equipment

Hazards exist in every workplace, in many different forms. Controlling a hazard at its source by using engineering, administrative, or work practice controls is the best way to protect employees and is required by OSHA. When these controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, personal protection equipment (PPE) may be used as a last line of defense.

Supervisors are responsible for: 

  • Performing a hazard assessment of the workplace to identify physical and health hazards
  • Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees
  • Training employees in the use and care of PPE
  • Maintaining PPE and replacing worn or damaged PPE

Employees Contribute By:

  • Properly wearing PPE
  • Attending training on PPE
  • Caring for, cleaning and maintaining PPE
  • Informing a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE

For further information or assistance regarding the selection and use of PPE, contact DEHS (502) 852-6670.

Resources

Hearing Conservation

University of Louisville employees whose occupational noise exposure exceeds 85 decibels for an 8-hour time-weighted average must be enrolled in the Hearing Conservation Program. An effected employee's department is responsible for implementation of the program, including developing a written plan, requesting noise monitoring, providing annual audiometric testing, providing a selection of appropriate hearing protection devices, employee training and maintaining documents. DEHS conducts hearing conservation training and is available to assist with the unit-specific written plan, noise monitoring, selection of hearing protection and locating a hearing test provider.

Resources

Additional Programs

Confined Spaces

The University of Louisville has a permit system to manage entrance into permit required confined spaces. Below are the standard forms for reclassifying a confined space and permit confined space entry. These forms help to prevent unauthorized entry and allow supervisors and authorized, trained employees to evaluate the hazards of permit spaces prior to entry. These forms are designed to meet all the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 Permit Required Confined Spaces Standard.

Resources

Hazard Communication

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard ("Right-to-Know") governs non-laboratory workplaces where hazardous chemicals are used. This regulation also applies to clinics and clinical laboratories. The University Program requires all covered work units to complete a Unit-specific Hazard Communication Plan that details how the unit will comply with OSHA requirements. DEHS provides general Hazard Communication Training; supervisors must provide training specific to the chemicals and procedures used at the work site.

For more information or assistance regarding the Hazard Communication Program, contact DEHS (502-852-6670).

Resources