Safety Programs
EH&S has established a variety of safety programs, in compliance with OSHA regulations, designed to protect workers with the wide range of job duties necessary to run the University of San Diego.
Building Safety Representatives are employees who have assumed responsibility to assist with building evacuations and safety concerns.
As part of the overall campus safety program, each building has one or more assigned Safety Representative who works with the departments of Public Safety and Environmental Health and Safety. Building Safety Representative training is conducted by EH&S annually. Please see the following links for more information:
Compressed gases are used, transported, and stored in compliance with 29 CFR 1926.350. Safety training for employees who work with compressed gas cylinders is conducted annually.
The Confined Spaces Program trains employees to be aware of confined space hazards within boilers, compartments, ducts, sewers, storm drains, and pits that are found across campus. All campus confined spaces have been identified and classified by hazard level. Employees are trained in the use of the proper techniques and safety equipment required to work safely in these confined spaces.
Every elevator operating on USD's campus is inspected monthly by an independent elevator maintenance contractor. Elevators are maintained in safe operating condition in compliance with State of California Division of Occupational Health and Safety Elevator Safety Orders
EH&S is in communication with the San Diego Elevator District to request annual permit renewals, however the Elevator District can be delayed in issuing renewed permits. Acknowledgement of permit renewal requests are kept on file in the USD Facilities Management Office.
The Fall Protection Program ensures employees who work at heights utilize the proper equipment and techniques to prevent falls that can result in serious injury or death. Employees receive training on the different types of fall protection equipment that include lanyards, anchorages, harnesses, rescue packs and various other fall protection systems.
There are many types of fire and life safety hazards that are inherent to a large campus that contains several different types of buildings. The purpose of the Fire Prevention Plan is to describe the methods that the University uses to minimize risk and prevent the ignition of uncontrolled fires. It identifies different target hazards throughout the campus, how they are managed, and how occupants should respond to emergency situations.
Fire safety and emergency response training is offered periodically or to any groups of staff who request it. The training consists of a presentation of fire safety topics, emergency evacuation procedures, general safety rules and is followed by hands-on fire extinguisher training.
For resident directors and resident assistants, training is conducted on an annual basis prior to the fall semester.
Training is required for all University employees who operate forklifts. Training and performance evaluation is conducted before initial work assignment and every three years. A list of authorized forklift operators is maintained by the Transportation Department.
Responsible operation of campus golf carts is essential to providing a safe and welcoming environment for campus occupants. The EH&S Department maintains the Authorized Drivers List for campus golf/utility carts. To receive authorization, employees must complete five training steps and send the full documentation to cart.training@sandiego.edu.
- Make an account with the online training module.
- Watch the full Utility Cart Safety video and take the quiz. The “Spanish Version” option is available on the home page after login.
- Complete a hands-on demonstration of cart operation by supervisor or authorized employee that includes all items on the Cart Demonstration Checklist.
- Review and sign the Cart Driving Rules and Demonstration Checklist.
- Give supervisor the original documentation and forward copies of the signed Cart Driving Rules and Demonstration Checklist to cart.training@sandiego.edu.
The purpose of the IIPP is to prevent injury and illness in the workplace. The University complies with Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 3203, by implementing the IIPP to maintain a safe and healthy environment for employees and students. This written program describes the specific requirements for program responsibility, compliance, communication, hazard identification, incident investigation, hazard correction, training, and recordkeeping.
This program is required for employees whose job duties include maintenance and service of energized equipment. The Facilities Management Department provides lockout tagout equipment for employees and video-based training occurs annually. Meets the requirements of CCR, Title 8, Section 3314 and 29 CFR 1910.147.
The Monthly Safety Training program is designed to protect University of San Diego employees from potential hazards encountered during their regular job duties. EH&S disseminates annual schedules of training topics that maintain compliance with OSHA training requirements. Supervisors receive training topics specific to their employees' job descriptions. Supervisors lead each monthly safety training, comprised of an educational video and knowledge assessment. To request video-based training on any topic, please contact EH&S at ehs@sandiego.edu.
EH&S provides New Employee Safety Orientation to all new employees at the University of San Diego within their first month of employment. The presentation covers: the University's Injury and Illness Prevention Program, Emergency Preparedness, Ergonomics, and Fire Safety. A quiz is reviewed after the presentation to ensure understanding and retention.