Safety Policies and Procedures Manual

Accident Prevention Responsibility

SPPM 2.10

For more information contact:
   Environmental Health and Safety
   509-335-3041

1.0   Accident Prevention Program

The University’s Accident Prevention Program is intended to reduce work hazards, promote the well-being of WSU personnel, and result in low occupational accident rates. The provisions of the Safety Policies and Procedures Manual (SPPM) serve as the University’s overall accident prevention program. Programs developed at the campus, college, and/or major area levels provide additional specificity, resources, and guidance, and further define responsibilities.

2.0   Responsibilities

Each University staff or faculty member is responsible for following University safety policies as documented in this and other sections of the SPPM, as well as memoranda from the following:

  • Environmental Health and Safety
  • Biological Safety Office
  • Radiation Safety Office
  • Risk Management Services
  • Public Safety Department
  • Fire and Safety Compliance

Specified categories of University employees are responsible for the following.

2.1     Executive Officers, Principal Administrative Officers

Executive officers and principal administrative officers (see Note 1):

  • Ensure that each campus, college, and/or major administrative area (see Note 2) establishes an accident prevention program, which covers their reporting departments and work areas, and the work performed. Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) provides their accident prevention program for use as a template.

    The work performed by the college, major administrative area, department, or unit and associated workplace hazards determine accident prevention program requirements. Examples:

    • Colleges and major areas assigned to office and lecture work may meet program requirements by adhering to the SPPM.
    • Colleges and major areas engaging in work beyond office work, with additional hazards (e.g., work with hazardous chemicals, from heights, from a ladder, or with hazardous energy), would benefit from a college or area specific accident prevention program. These colleges and major areas select the chapters from the EHS accident prevention program template that apply to their work and edit the chapters to reflect assigned responsibilities and provide college/area specific guidance.

    EHS serves as a resource for assistance to ensure accident prevention programs adhere to state rule requirements and WSU policy.

  • Ensure that each reporting unit implements the SPPM and the unit’s own accident prevention program.
  • Ensure that at least one administrative representative/designee participates in safety committee meetings, accident investigations, and facility inspections. (See SPPM 2.12 for more about safety committees.) Safety committees at the campus, college, and/or major area levels serve as valuable resources with subject matter expertise for accident prevention program development, review, and improvement.
  • Prepare a written accident prevention program which describes how the unit intends to meet the provisions of the University’s Accident Prevention Program as set forth in SPPM Chapter 2. (EHS provides an accident prevention program template.)
  • Provide EHS with an electronic copy of or link to the unit’s written accident prevention program.
  • Make every reasonable effort to protect the life and safety of employees.

Note 1: For the purposes of this policy, executive and principal administrative officers include the chief administrative officer of each major organizational unit, such as chancellors, vice chancellors, vice provosts, vice presidents, associate vice presidents, associate vice chancellors, deans, and directors.

Note 2: Although some major areas may not share the same reporting hierarchy, the areas may collaborate in the development of accident prevention programs. For example, facilities administrators may elect to collaborate with Facilities Services on the Pullman campus to develop their accident prevention programs. Colleges may elect to develop an accident prevention program supporting college personnel throughout the system. System accident prevention programs should include sufficient location-specific information to identify campus-specific resources as necessary.

2.2     Supervisors

The safety and health of employees is a primary responsibility of each supervisor. As such, supervisors:

  • Implement and enforce the accident prevention program.
  • Prohibit employees from entering, or being in, any workplace that is not safe.
  • Ensure that health and safety rules, regulations, policies, and procedures are understood and observed, e.g., use of protective equipment and safe work methods.
  • Ensure that workplace injuries or illnesses are reported in accordance with SPPM 2.52.
  • Actively follow the progress of injured workers. Encourage recovery and return to work as soon as medically feasible (see SPPM 2.32).
  • Prevent employees under the influence of intoxicating beverages or narcotics from remaining in the workplace.
  • Make every reasonable effort to protect the life and safety of employees.

2.3     Employees

Employees are to:

  • Review, understand, and adhere to the unit’s accident prevention program.
  • Review, understand, and adhere to safety and health rules and policies prior to beginning job tasks.
  • Apply the principles of accident prevention to day-to-day duties.
  • Report hazards and unsafe practices to their supervisor, safety committee representative and/or Environmental Health and Safety as appropriate (see SPPM 2.52).
  • Not interfere with another employee’s proper use of any safety device or safeguard.
  • Not interfere with an work practice designed to protect themselves and other employees.
  • Not use intoxicating substances, e.g., beverages or narcotics, in or around the workplace or enter the workplace while under the influence of intoxicating beverages or narcotics.

    Note: This does not apply to persons using prescription drugs as directed by a physician, as long as such usage does not endanger the employee or other persons.

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Revisions:  Oct. 2024 (Rev. 147); Reviewed July 2008; Oct. 2002 (Rev. 46); Feb. 1987 (Rev. 3).