Workplace Safety

• Wisconsin Statutes §36.115
• Wisconsin Statutes §101.055 Public Employee Safety and Health
• Wisconsin Statutes §101.11 Employer’s duty to furnish safe employment and place
• University of Wisconsin System Administrative Policy 1230
• State of Wisconsin Executive Order 194 (PDF)

To establish workplace health and safety procedure parameters for all UWM employees which include the elements required by Wis. Stat. § 36.115(4).

In July 1993, Governor Tommy Thompson issued an executive order recognizing the importance of protecting the health and safety of state employees. Executive Order #194 (PDF) required all state agencies to develop a comprehensive written occupational health and safety program that included a range of activities designed to improve worker safety in government agencies. Among the required components of the safety program was to “…provide adequate health and safety training and education for managers, supervisors and employees.”   

Wis. Stat. § 36.115(2) requires the Board of Regents to develop personnel systems that include a workplace safety policy.  Wis. Stat §101.055 grants to all State of Wisconsin employees the rights and protections of occupational health and safety that is granted to private sector employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970.  Wis. Stat. §101.11 requires the employer to provide safe employment. 

UWM has a duty to provide a safe place to work.  UWM is responsible for the maintenance of occupational health and safety standards and for the promotion of workplace health and safety.

Management Commitment and Employee Involvement

Performance and Accountability Standards.  All administrators, directors, managers and supervisors are responsible for assuring workplace health and safety in their respective areas. See Appendix A for guidance. 

 All employees are responsible for abiding by appropriate health and safety regulations and procedures. See Appendix B for guidance. 

Occupational Health and Safety Committees. UWM will establish and maintain a campus-wide Health and Safety Committee as well as Safety Committees in some Schools, Colleges, Divisions and/or Departments with participants from all levels of the organization that meet on a regular basis to discuss appropriate health and safety protocols and the implementation of appropriate methods of review.  Such Committees will be publicized within their School/College/Division or Department, and thus serve as a means for employees to notify management about potentially hazardous conditions or work practices.  The Committees shall respond promptly to hazards brought to their attention and shall report periodically and not less than annually to campus Administration and the Associate Director of Environmental Health, Safety, & Risk Management in the Department of University Safety and Assurances, who for these purposes shall be the campus Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator.  

Reporting Systems.  UWM will develop a method of periodic management review of UWM’s occupational health and safety program and provide UW System Administration an annual summary of the program.  

Hazard Prevention, Control and Analysis

Every supervisor/manager as well as the Department of University Safety and Assurances are charged with the timely investigation of workplace accidents, incidents and reported hazards to determine their causes and to direct correction and prevention strategies. The responsibility of individual schools, colleges, divisions, and departments with respect to hazardous situations is set forth in Appendix C. 

The Department of University Safety and Assurances will also conduct annual occupational health and safety inspections so that potential hazards are detected and corrected or controlled in a timely fashion. 

The Department of University Safety and Assurances and the University Police Department will prepare UWM for common emergencies by ensuring that training is provided and drills are conducted.  All campus employees are required to participate in emergency drills.  

Training and Communication

The Department of University Safety and Assurances will ensure that occupational health and safety training is made available to managers, supervisors, employees, and principal investigators. The level of training will depend on the type of operations at issue. The Department will promote health and safety awareness and safe work practices year-round through training and campus-wide communication.  

Safety Equipment

Employees will be provided or reimbursed for safety and protective clothing and equipment when the equipment is required by UWM for the performance of assigned duties.  

Safety Glasses.  When UWM requires safety glasses or safety sunglasses for the performance of assigned duties, the employer shall provide such glasses/sunglasses or reimburse the employee for the purchase cost including an eye examination (for prescription safety eyewear) if not already covered by a health insurance carrier.  Reimbursement will not be made more than once a year 

Safety Shoes. When a UWM hazard assessment identifies safety shoes as necessary for the performance of assigned duties, the employer shall provide such shoes or reimburse the employee for the purchase cost as prescribed by the State of Wisconsin. Reimbursement will not be made more than once a year. 

Safety Gloves/Other Protective clothing and equipment. When employees are required to work with hazardous chemicals, biological or physical agents, the employer must provide appropriate protective equipment.

Employer means UWM, a University that engages the services of university employees.  The term includes a person acting on behalf of UWM within the scope of their authority, express or implied.  

For information about the operation of this policy, employees should contact the Personnel Representative for their respective School, College, Division or Department, or the Department of University Safety and Assurances.   

• Appendix A - Performance and Accountability Standards for Administrators, Directors, Managers, and Supervisors
• Appendix B - Performance and Accountability Standards for Employees
• Appendix C - Schools/Colleges/Divisions or Departments