Safety Policies and Procedures Manual
Safety Orientation and Training
SPPM 2.16
For more information contact:
Environmental Health and Safety
509-335-3041
Public Safety
509-335-8548
Form: Safety Orientation Checklist
Contents
1.0 Overview and Purpose
Safety orientation and training informs WSU employees of emergency procedures, how and where to obtain first aid, workplace hazards and hazard controls, WSU’s total safety program, and job or workplace specific safety training necessary to provide a safe work environment.
2.0 Applicability
Safety orientation and training applies to all WSU employees. Additional training may be required by Washington Administrative Code (WAC) when employees are assigned specific tasks or work around known hazards.
3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
3.1 Unit Administrators
Unit administrators inform employees of current applicable University and departmental safety policies and procedures. Likewise, unit administrators ensure that employees are aware of applicable state and/or federal regulations and codes when circumstances warrant.
3.2 Supervisors
The immediate supervisor orients and trains individuals undertaking new job responsibilities. Such individuals include:
- New employees
- Rehires
- Part-time and temporary employees
- Transfers
- Those assigned new job responsibilities
- Volunteers
The orientation occurs on the first day of employment in the new job, or whenever new duties are assigned, using the Safety Orientation Checklist (PDF) (See Section 3.2.a).
3.2.a Safety Orientation Checklist
The immediate supervisor instructs the new employee regarding job safety requirements following the Safety Orientation Checklist (PDF). Print the master or complete onscreen and print copies of the form. The supervisor and employee sign the checklist. The department places the signed checklist in the employee’s personnel file.
University supervisors periodically review applicable safety procedures with University employees. Supervisors determine the need and timing for repeat training.
3.3 Departments
Departments must maintain training documentation in accordance with University records retention requirements. See BPPM 90.01. Trainings completed in Percipio will be tracked by Percipio.
Departments must also ensure their employees complete recurring training as required; Contact your EH&S office if you have questions about required retraining intervals. Retraining is recommended when supervisors observe employees not adhering to safe work practices.
4.0 Requirements & Procedures
4.1 General Training
4.1.a Requirements
All employees are required to receive the following training:
- Back injury prevention and ergonomics
- Prevention of slips and falls
- Emergency and Fire Preparedness
- Note: At the time of initial orientation, employees are to be informed of facility specific fire exit routes and fire pull station, fire extinguisher, first aid kit and automatic external defibrillator locations.
- Fire prevention
- Fire extinguisher operation (required annually)
- Note: Departments/units/areas may establish a fire response policy (see SPPM 2.10). Where that policy is established, employees complete fire extinguisher training only once, in Percipio at time of hire, and receive instruction to not extinguish a fire, but evacuate.
- Use and care of personal protective equipment
- Office safety (see SPPM 2.78)
- Asbestos training pertinent to location and position
4.1.b Procedures
These training requirements are fulfilled by completing Safety Training for WSU Employees in Percipio. Fire extinguisher training may also be completed in person. Contact WSU Fire Safety at 509-335-7471 for scheduling.
4.2 Specific Training
4.2.a Requirements
Employees who work under specified conditions are to receive training as required by the indicated state of Washington (WAC) and/or SPPM reference. Contact Public Safety, EH&S, or the applicable campus office for specific information. All required safety training, based on the duties of the position, must be completed and documented before the employee performs the relevant work. Specific work activities and applicable references are shown on the table below.
|
Training Description |
WAC |
SPPM |
Training Office |
|
Bloodborne pathogen protection |
EH&S |
||
|
Confined space entry |
EH&S |
||
|
Crane operation |
- |
EH&S |
|
|
Flagging and traffic control |
- |
Public Safety |
|
|
Forklift and powered industrial trucks |
EH&S |
||
|
Hazardous chemicals (Hazard communication) |
EH&S |
||
|
EH&S |
|||
|
Hazardous material handling Hazardous waste generators |
See WAC references for acetylene, anhydrous ammonia, oxygen, flammable liquids, compressed gases, hydrogen, LP gases, nitrous oxide, spray finishing and spraying operations. |
Various – Laboratory Safety, Chemical/Hazardous Material Safety |
EH&S EH&S |
|
Hearing conservation |
EH&S |
||
|
Lockout/tagout (Control of hazardous energy) |
EH&S |
||
|
Machine safety |
EH&S |
||
|
Motor vehicle trucks |
See Chapter 7 |
Public Safety |
|
|
Multipiece rim wheels |
– |
EH&S |
|
|
Operation and maintenance of power presses |
– |
EH&S |
|
|
Outdoor heat exposure |
EH&S |
||
|
Pesticide safety |
EH&S; |
||
|
Powder-actuated tools |
– |
EH&S |
|
|
Powered lawn mowers |
– |
EH&S |
|
|
Respiratory protective equipment |
EH&S |
||
|
Scaffolding |
EH&S |
||
|
Tractors |
– |
EH&S |
|
|
Use of ladders |
– |
EH&S |
|
|
Welding equipment |
EH&S |
||
|
Wildfire Smoke |
EH&S |
||
|
Working from elevated surfaces (fall restraint and fall arrest) |
EH&S |
4.2.b Procedures
Many of the above trainings may be completed in Percipio, while others require in-person instruction and/or a practical evaluation. Contact your EH&S office for assistance identifying training resources.
Other departments, e.g. WSU Spokane Laboratory Services, provide laboratory safety training to WSU Spokane personnel; telephone 509-358-7629.
5.0 Resources
5.1 Basic Training Resources
- Online safety training via the learning management system (LMS) Skillsoft Percipio.
- Employees sign into Percipio using WSU’s single sign-on and the LMS automatically tracks training completion. Approved safety trainings typically feature the WSU logo.
- Online safety training content is also available to WSU students (not employees) via Canvas.
- Online biosafety or radiation safety trainings provided by the Office of Research Assurances (ORA).
- In-person or remote training sessions scheduled through Percipio.
- In-person trainings scheduled in advance with EH&S and/or ORA.
- Other training resources necessary to obtain certification(s) from credentialed or licensed instructors.
5.2 Additional Training Resources
- WSU Police Active Shooter Resources
- WSU Campus Safety Plan
- SPPM 2.40 First Aid Training
- EH&S Training Courses
_______________________
Revisions: Sept. 2025 (Rev. 149); July 2022 (Rev. 135); Jan. 2013 (Rev. 97); Oct. 1991 (Rev. 9); Feb. 1987 (Rev. 3); June 1986 (Rev. 1*).