June is National Safety Month, an initiative established by the National Safety Council to promote emergency preparedness and to spread awareness about common hazards.

The security and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, friends and community members matter every day – but June is the perfect opportunity to review important safety policies and procedures.

Safety and Risk Management Policy

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Each of us plays a critical role in avoiding preventable injuries and being prepared for emergency situations.

University Policy FA#052 Safety and Risk Management serves as a reminder of PennWest’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment for learning, living, teaching and working. Employees should integrate safety and risk management into every aspect of their work and stop unsafe activities immediately.

Accident and Illness Prevention Program (AIPP)

As part of Policy FA#052 and under the Health and Safety Regulations of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, self-insured employers (including Commonwealth entities) are required to establish and maintain an accident and illness prevention program aimed at reducing the incidence of work-related injury and illness.

In the coming months, we will establish a cohesive Accident and Illness Prevention Program (AIPP) based on recognized principles, best practices and established health and safety standards. PennWest’s AIPP will comply with the Act and maintain PASSHE’s self-insurance status.

To learn more about the program requirements, please refer to 34 Pa. Code § 129.402. Program requirements.

University Safety Committee

To assist in the creation and maintenance of the PennWest AIPP and to further promote safe practices across our campuses, the university has established a designated safety committee. The group, which is composed of union, management and student representatives, will assist the Department of Safety & Risk Management in identifying and recommending solutions for health and safety related issues.

Additional committees may be established at the department level to address specific operational concerns. Departments interested in forming a departmental safety committee should contact Safety & Risk Management at safety@pennwest.edu.

Incident Reporting

Safety & Risk Management has established a standardized incident reporting process. Incident reporting, investigation and documentation are key to addressing injuries, damaged property and hazards and to preventing future occurrences.

An “incident” is considered any unplanned event that results in injury, illness, or damage to property, or an event that has the potential to result in such consequences (near miss).  

All employees have the responsibility to promptly report all health and safety hazards, near misses, injuries and illnesses (employees and non-employees), and property damage to their supervisor. All incidents that are immediately dangerous to life, property or the environment are to be reported immediately to the University Police Department at the appropriate campus.

Upon receiving a work-related injury report, supervisors will follow the procedures identified in the Supervisor Injury Leave Manual, located in HRConnect Employee Service Center. All other incidents that result in non-employee injuries, property damage and near-misses are to be reported using the PennWest Incident Report form, located in the PennWest Sharepoint, and submitted to safety@pennwest.edu.

PennWest supports an environment free from retaliation. Retaliation is prohibited against any employee, student or visitor who brings forth a good faith safety concern, asks a clarifying question or participates in an incident investigation.

The Department of Safety & Risk Management looks forward to continued collaboration with members of the university community.

Stay safe,

Jim Dahle
Director of Safety & Risk Management

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