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The college is committed to protecting the
health and safety of all employees. Specifically, under the Occupational Safety and
Health Act (OSHA), it is the responsibility of the college to ensure that the workplace
is free of unnecessary hazards and is environmentally safe for employees and students,
and that employees follow safety procedures and wear protective equipment as required. For
more information about the College’s commitment to safety, please visit the Smith
College Safety Committee’s website.
Safety Practices
As part of the OSHA Hazard Communication Program, the
college provides information about hazardous chemicals and training and safety practices
to staff working in laboratories and other designated work sites. Material Safety
Data Sheets (MSDS) which describe the specific hazards of any chemicals used in the
workplace are available for review upon request. Technical advice about safety issues
is available from the Health and Safety Coordinator.
Department heads and supervisors are accountable for
the safety of those working under their supervision and are expected to conduct their
operations in a safe manner at all times. You are expected to follow all safety procedures,
to take an active part in protecting yourself and your co-workers, and to promptly
report to your supervisor hazardous conditions and practices.
Employees in designated positions are required to wear
appropriate protective equipment during work hours. Violations of safety rules and
procedures may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Reporting of Accidents
If you are injured at work, you must immediately report
the injury to your supervisor or department head. Accidents, no matter how minor,
must be reported promptly and a First Report of Job-Related Accident
form submitted to protect your rights to benefits or coverage under the college's
Workers' Compensation Insurance. Accident report forms are available from your supervisor,
your department office, or the Office of Human Resources. Your section of the accident
report should be completed as soon as possible. The report should be detailed and
should note the date and time of the accident, the sequence of events, and factors
that may have contributed to the accident.
First Report of Job-Related Accident
Supervisors are responsible for completing the remainder
of the form and returning it to the Office of Human Resources as soon as possible.
Prompt reporting of all accidents is essential; the Massachusetts Department of Industrial
Accidents fines employers for each accident that is not reported to that agency promptly.
Treatment for Job-Related Accidents
Supervisors are responsible for arranging appropriate
medical treatment for employees injured on the job. The seriousness of the injury
determines the department to be contacted.
- Call the Department of Public Safety if
a severe injury requires immediate first aid and/or an ambulance.
- Call the Office of Human Resources to report
injuries that may require medical tests and treatment. Injured employees will be
referred to a local physician retained by the college, who specializes in occupational
medicine
- Call Health Services to arrange immediate
first aid treatment for minor injuries which occur during the academic year when
Health Services is open.
All payments to hospitals and private physicians
are subject to acceptance by the college's Workers' Compensation Insurance carrier.
For information on reimbursement for treatment, see Workers'
Compensation Benefits. |
