Workplace Safety

Working in a safe and healthful environment can stimulate innovation and creativity and result in increased performance and higher productivity in the workplace.

The University of North Carolina – Asheville has adopted OSHA’s Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (Federal Register 54(16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These apply to all employees and workplaces under UNCA ownership or lease.

The four elements listed below are key to a successful workplace safety and health program.

  • Management leadership and employee involvement,
  • Worksite analysis,
  • Hazard prevention and control, and
  • Safety and health training.

The first element incorporates University management policies, leadership commitment, and employee involvement. The second element is about analyzing and identifying workplace safety and health hazards. The third element is about hazard prevention and control while the fourth element deals with safety and health training and education for employees.

Having a safe and healthful working environment involves all employees. It is pivotal to have dedication on all levels of employment in order for the University’s safety and health program to work. A good safety and health program comes with many advantages which include, but are not limited to:

Benefits:

  • Protects the employees’ well-being
  • Reduces the amount of money paid out which include:
    • Health insurance benefits
    • Workers’ compensation benefits
    • Wages for temporary help

Reduces costs:

  • Lost work hours (days away from work, restricted hours, or job transfer)
  • Time spent training temporary help
  • Programs and services that may suffer due to fewer employees

Basic Philosophy

When considering your safety and health, please remember that:

  • Every incident can be prevented
  • No job is worth getting hurt for
  • Every job will be done safely
  • Safety is everyone’s responsibility
  • Safe work practices must be developed by team leads and front line supervisors
  • Training – Everyone must understand AND meet the requirements
  • Working safely is a Condition of Employment
  • To build ownership in the program, build ownership by involving everyone
  • Audits and investigations will help evaluate the program’s performance
  • Using measures to manage the safety and health process help determine success

Download OSHA’s Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines here or visit www.osha.gov.

Saw something that concerns you? Submit a Safety Concern.

Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) Safety & Health Policies