Safety on Campus Policy (Draft)

Purpose:

This policy communicates the university’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all Winona State University (WSU) employees and establishes the responsibilities of various university groups toward meeting that goal.

Rationale for Revision and Major Changes:

(This is for stakeholder review, not for publishing)

This policy draft is a proposed update for a legacy regulation:

• WSU 2-17 Safety Manual Regulation

The clear and succinct policy now states the legislative authorization for monitoring safety and assigns responsibility for this to specific offices. The previous regulation served as the “Safety Manual” and contained many pages of very detailed guidelines (such as how to inspect a ladder before use). That content is more appropriately posted and updated elsewhere on the WSU website. There is no accompanying procedure associated with this policy.

Suggested Stakeholder feedback deadline:

Feedback should be provided using this WSU form by 11/01/2024.

Policy:

WSU is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace free from recognized hazards that may cause injury or death.

WSU administration provides a safe working environment, establishes and enforces safe methods and practices, maintains a safety and health program on campus, and complies with safety and health standards issued by federal and state agencies such as the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) and Minnesota Statute Chapter 182, Occupational Safety and Health.

WSU supervisors are responsible for promoting safety and health in the workplace and ensuring that operations in their area are performed safely.

The WSU Safety Administrator maintains written safety programs and convenes an All-University Safety Committee made up of representatives from various university constituent groups in accordance with WSU bargaining unit agreements.

All employees are responsible for complying with safety and health standards, rules, and regulations, and for following rules of safe conduct. Deliberate non-compliance may result in disciplinary action. In accordance with Minnesota Statute 182.654, subd 11, employees have the right to refuse to work in dangerous conditions.

Related documents:

• Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
• Minnesota Statute 182 (Occupational Safety and Health)
• Minnesota Statute 182.654, subd 11 (Rights and Duties of Employees)
• Minnesota State AFSCME collective bargaining agreement, Article 11
• Minnesota State MMA collective bargaining agreement, Article 23
• Minnesota State MAPE collective bargaining agreement, Article 22

History:

Date of Revisions: 8/13/2007

Adoption date: 08/18/1988
Implementation date: 01/01/2099