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General Safety

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) strives to assure WesternU campuses are a safe environment for its employees, students and visitors.

the WesternU Esplanade at sunset

General Safety

We implement methods to minimize our safety risks with the initiation and executing of inspections of our facilities, encouraging safe work practices, and providing safety education. WesternU EH&S fosters an understanding of the importance to communicate and mitigate hazards by the University community, to safely support education and research.
  • Air Quality

    Indoor Air Quality

    Environmental Health & Safety will:

    • Conduct indoor air quality investigations when requested
    • Document and report results of indoor air quality investigations
    • Assist the Facilities Department and/or other departments in identifying the cause of indoor air quality problems, as well as, make recommendations on mitigation strategies, when appropriate.

    Air Monitoring

    Several buildings at WesternU have monitoring systems that allow them to be accessed remotely by our Facilities Department. Monitoring will include:

    • Alarm Notification to our Utilities Team
    • Carbon Dioxide Levels – Data Logging and Trending
    • Temperature – Data Logging and Trending

    Whenever a notification is received by the Facilities Department they will respond as soon as possible to resolve. For any issues, please report them to the Facilities Help Desk via email to facilities@westernu.edu or phone call to 909-469-5258 for immediate attention during business hours.

  • Bloodborne Pathogens Plan

    Bloodborne Pathogens Plan

    WesternU has established this program to prevent and/or minimize employee’s occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. OSHA and Cal/OSHA states that the hepatitis B Virus vaccination shall be offered to all employees who may be occupationally exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials, unless the employee has a previous HBV vaccination or unless antibody testing has revealed the employee is immune. OSHA and Cal/OSHA recommends those at risk be immunized against HBV.

    Bloodborne Pathogen Program

  • Fire Safety

    The primary goal of the fire and life safety standards is for building occupants to avoid injury or death during a fire or other emergency.

    Reporting a fire

    All fires, no matter how trivial are to be reported to WesternU Campus Security (911 or 909-706-3000). This accomplishes several things:

    • The Fire Department will respond to any emergent/active fire and extinguish
    • An incident log will be entered
    • The State Fire Marshall will be notified of the fire, a legal requirement

    If you have extinguished the fire yourself, notify Campus Security (909-706-3000) so that fire information is recorded and the State Fire Marshal is notified.

    Fire Extinguisher Inspection, testing and Maintenance

    Fire extinguishers require annual maintenance by a vendor and monthly checks by end users or EHS. The purpose of fire extinguisher inspection and maintenance is to increase the likelihood the the fire extinguisher will work during a fire. Inspection of unassigned spaces such as hallways and mechanical spaces are completed by Security. If you find an extinguisher that is out of date, contact EHS for a change out or maintenance. EHS stocks fire extinguishers for changeout when a extinguisher fails a monthly or annual check.

    Fire Safety Systems involves the alarm systems that warn of a fire and the protection systems (e.g, sprinklers) that fight it before the fire department arrives. the Facilities Department inspects and maintains these systems on a regular basis.

    For more information, please visit the link below:

    Fire Extinguisher Types & Maintenance

    Helpful Links

    NFPA – National Fire Protection Association

    U.S. Fire Administration

  • First Aid and AED Program

    AED

    WesternU has placed AEDs within minutes of any campus location and a growing number of WesternU campus community members have been trained in CPR and AED use. When used in combination with CPR, a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac event can be greatly increased. Everyone should know where the nearest AED is to their location.

    Although formal training is preferred, anyone can use an AED. The link below provides a summary of what to do if someone suddenly collapses, including a link to a video training simulation on how to use an AED.

    First Aid Kits

    The EH&S Department provides a limited number of first aid kits across the campus in select locations intended to support office, laboratory and shop locations. First aid kits are supplied by Cintas a vendor contracted through EH&S. They are only intended to treat minor cuts and scrapes. Each first aid kit supplied is inspected and restocked on a quarterly basis.

    If you have any questions regarding EH&S supplied first aid kits and/or AEDs, please contact ehs@westernu.edu.

  • Hazard Communication

    Hazard Communication Program (HAZCOM)

    This program has been established to: Ensure hazardous chemicals are properly identified in the workplace. Ensure the hazards of these chemicals are communicated. Ensure that employees understand and comply with safety standards related to chemicals. Assign responsibilities to personnel which are necessary for successful implementation of the Hazard Communication program.

    HazCom Written Plan

  • Injury and Illness Prevention Program

    Injury and Illness Prevention Program

    Western University of Health Sciences, Environmental Health & Safety department has implemented a IIPP program to ensure a safe and healthful work environment for its employees.

    IIPP Goals

    • Provide a safe and healthful workplace for employees
    • Reduce risk of disease, illness, injury and harmful exposures to the campus community
    • Reduce worker’s compensation claims and costs
    • Improve employee morale and efficiency
    • Comply with regulatory mandates

    Program Elements

    • Assigns RESPONSIBILITIES for health and safety
    • Establishes mechanisms for HAZARD IDENTIFICATION and HAZARD MITIGATION
    • Requires WORKPLACE INSPECTIONS and ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
    • Requires COMMUNICATION of health and safety information
    • Reaffirms TRAINING and DOCUMENTATION mandates

    As an employee you have a right to:

    • A safe workplace free from recognized hazards
    • Receive training on hazards associated with your job
    • Know how to control hazards of your job
    • Report workplace hazards without fear of reprisal

    Roles & Responsibilities

    Manager or Supervisor:

    Managers and Supervisors are expected to provide Environmental Health and Safety leadership and guidance within their units. They should:

    • Inform employees about specifics of the unit’s IIPP
    • Provide safety training consistent with employee job duties
    • Enforce safety rules and regulations within your area of control
    • Provide a means to identify workplace hazards
    • Maintain all EH&S documentation

    Employee:

    All employees have a responsibility to maintain a safe and healthful work environment. As an employee you should:

    • Follow safe work practices
    • Be familiar with your local unit’s IIPP
    • Know the potential health and safety hazards of your job and how to protect yourself
    • Know how to report unsafe conditions
    • Report any work-related injury or illness to your supervisor
    • Know what to do in an emergency
    • Correct unsafe conditions within your authority

    If you are unclear about your responsibilities, ask your supervisor.

    Environmental Health & Safety

    EH&S has responsibility for monitoring compliance with the University’s Injury and Illness Prevention Programs to minimize or prevent occupational injuries and illnesses, and to protect the quality of the workplace and surrounding environment. EH&S advises the campus community of its responsibilities with respect to health and safety issues, recommends appropriate corrective actions and programs, implements new health and safety programs and is the liaison between WesternU and various external agencies and regulatory bodies.

    Questions?

    If you have questions about the health and safety of your work environment or about environmental, health and safety in general, please feel free to contact EH&S at ehs@westernu.edu. We will be happy to assist you.

    IIPP Written Document

    COVID-19 Infection Prevention Program Addendum

  • Respiratory Protection Plan

    Respiratory Protection Plan

    The RPP educates potential respirator users on accepted practices for respirator use, provides guidelines for training and respirator selection, and explains proper storage, use, and care of respirators. Respiratory protection equipment is the last resort in preventing harmful exposures to employees and not a substitute for other feasible control measures.

    Respiratory Protection Plan

    Appendix C Voluntary Use

    Appendix D Respirator Selection Guidelines

  • Helpful Links