EH&S Policy Statement
The University of Kentucky intends to provide a safe and healthy environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors. The University strives to play a leadership role in the Commonwealth in its environmental stewardship, health protection and safety standards and in its compliance with laws and regulations relating to the environment, health and safety.

Health and Safety Responsibility Statement
The University of Kentucky adopts the following objectives in order to help meet its goal of providing a safe and healthful campus environment for students, employees, patients, and visitors. Meeting these objectives shall be the responsibility of everyone at the University. The EH&S division shall provide oversight and report on progress toward meeting these objectives.

• All activities at the University shall be conducted in accordance with environmental, health, and safety regulations. Activities not conducted in compliance with this objective are designated as "unsafe acts" and are not permitted by the University for any purpose or under any circumstances.
• Personal exposure to chemicals and other health hazards shall be kept as low as reasonably achievable. This goal shall be met by providing appropriate work practices, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment.
• The University's goal for all preventable occupational injuries and illnesses is zero. Procedures and practices consistent with this approach will be implemented and continuously improved.

EH&S Programs and Responsibilities

• Division of Environmental Health and Safety
  
  The Division of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for development, oversight and management of environmental health and safety programs that protect the environment, provide safe and healthy conditions for work and study, and comply with applicable laws and regulations. Division staff will function as consultants to deans, directors, heads of academic and administrative units, other staff members, and students in all areas of environmental health and safety. In addition to consultation, the division will make health and safety investigations as necessary and upon request, will assist departmental safety committees in the development of intra-departmental safety programs, and participate in health and safety training and education projects.
  
  The Division of Environmental Health and Safety will provide technical assistance in determining existing or potential health and safety hazards. Assistance can be provided through consultations and code interpretations either for existing operations and facilities or for those which are being planned. Additionally, the division will inspect and report on the environmental health and safety aspects of University operations and facilities. Such inspections may be routine or at the request of a department and the results will be reported to the appropriate administrative personnel.
  
  The division will maintain reference materials from local, state, and federal agencies, particularly in regard to rules and regulations affecting campus operations, and will assist in the technical interpretation of same. The Division will develop additional appropriate environmental health and safety standards for unique campus situations and submit them for administrative approval.
  
  The director of the division reports to the Vice President for Auxiliary and Campus Services. The Environmental Health and Safety Committee also reports to the Vice President for Auxiliary and Campus Services.
  
  
• Chancellors, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, Chairs and Other Heads of Academic and Administrative Units
  
  Chancellors, vice presidents, deans, directors, chairs and other heads of academic and administrative units have a primary responsibility for the health and safety of their staff and students and for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations; for providing funds needed for safety and health improvements and for making those improvements; and for ensuring that supervisors, employees and students comply with the duties set forth in these regulations. In addition, some units, such as the Hospital, may have other specific requirements and responsibilities established by agencies external to the University.
  
  The formation of departmental or college safety committees is encouraged; experience has indicated that such committees can provide an effective means of implementing safety programs.
  
  
• Supervisors
  
  Each supervisor has certain specific responsibilities for providing a working environment free from safety and health hazards for those supervised. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
  1. Informing new employees about safety and health procedures, rules and regulations, as well as their specific responsibilities.
  2. Assuring that required equipment and personal protective devices are provided, maintained, and used.
  3. Taking prompt action when unsafe acts or conditions are reported or noted.
  4. Providing for health and safety training and education on a continuing basis.
  5. Promptly investigating and reporting all on-the-job accidents and requesting medical treatment if required.
  6. Promptly investigating and reporting all job-related health or safety problems.
  7. Coordinating or conducting internal inspections to assure safe and healthful conditions.
  8. Requesting the assistance of the next higher level of supervision regarding budget requests for health and safety improvements.
     
     
• Employees
  
  Each employee has certain specific responsibilities to comply with existing safety and health standards, rules, and regulations. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
  1. Following all safety and health standards and rules.
  2. Reporting all hazardous conditions to the supervisor.
  3. Wearing or using prescribed protective equipment.
  4. Reporting any job-related injuries or illnesses to the supervisor and seeking treatment promptly.
  5. Refraining from the operation of any mechanical equipment without both proper instructions and authorization.
     
     
• Students
  
  Students are responsible for following all health and safety standards and rules.