Safety and Health Policy for Students

General Information

The University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee will provide and maintain adequate facilities for a safe and healthy learning environment. It is the University’s responsibility to work with faculty and staff so that they are equipped to educate students on practices and procedures that enhance safety for all members of the University.

Employees with instructional responsibilities are expected to comply with state and federal safety laws and regulations in their institutional areas. Certain courses and research projects require that the students work with hazardous materials or equipment while engaging in academic studies. Instructors of these courses and research projects shall inform and train students on procedures that will maintain the students’ personal health and safety and provide them with information on the hazards of specific chemicals or equipment that will be used during their course of study. Furthermore, instructors will enforce and follow safety policies.

Prior to use of hazardous materials and equipment, the students shall review the procedures and information and discuss any associated concerns with the instructor.

Resources for Students

University Safety and Assurances offers safety guidance and training for students, faculty, and staff to be safety advocates for themselves and others, much of which is available through this website.

Additionally, a strong network of campus and community resources support all members of the UWM community, making their health and safety a top priority. Students, faculty and staff are introduced to these health and safety resources through campus programs, events and communication tools via the Health and Safety web page.

Working In Isolation

The “Working in Isolation” policy was created through the UW System to ensure the safety of faculty, staff and students who work, volunteer, or perform for credit activities alone in potentially hazardous environments within, but not limited to campus teaching and research laboratories, studios, workshops and other facilities or environments.  

https://www.wisconsin.edu/uw-policies/uw-system-administrative-policies/working–in–isolation/.

In order to comply with the policy UW-Milwaukee University Safety and Assurances has developed a Checklist Form and Guidance to support the policy and procedures to operationalize this UW System Administrative Policy.

Supervisors, PIs, Staff and students can utilize the sign off when isolated work is needed to ensure “they receive explicit written approval from the person in charge of the work” as directed by the policy.  This policy applies to faculty, staff and students who work, volunteer, or perform for credit activities alone in potentially hazardous environments within, but not limited to campus teaching and research laboratories, studios, workshops and other facilities or environments.  

Individuals conducting hazardous operations or using hazardous chemicals or materials within campus laboratories, studios and workshops, research facilities or similar environments ordinarily should not work in isolation. Those performing maintenance or repair of equipment or campus property involving hazardous operations, chemicals or materials ordinarily should not work in isolation. At least one other individual who is knowledgeable of safety equipment and can come to the aid of the worker should be in visual or audible range. This policy does not supersede activities that have more stringent requirements such as permit required confined spaces.

Individuals may work in isolation if they receive explicit written approval from the person in charge of the work. Written approval may be granted if the person in charge of the work has completed the checklist of items provided in this form. A copy of the completed and approved checklist should be forwarded to University Safety and Assurances (safety-office@uwm.edu). Store the approved form in an easy to find location, that is accessible to all and available at all times.

The checklist for written approval includes the following list of items to be completed by the person in charge of the work:

1. Conducted a hazard analysis to assess the work area to identify potential or existing hazards, determine if the hazards can be mitigated, and decide whether such activities should be closely monitored, restricted, or disallowed.
2. Implemented procedures and corrective actions to eliminate, minimize or control hazards when individuals are working in isolation.
3. Assessed and documented the requirements for emergency equipment, emergency aid, and a means of obtaining emergency assistance based upon the nature and degree of the exposure to the hazard.
4. Ensured emergency aid and communications systems are available and compatible with work assignments. This includes providing an effective communication system between any individual who works in isolation and person(s) capable of assisting the individual.
5. Ensured a point of contact is aware of the individual’s location and the time frame they will be at the location while working alone.
6. Ensured the individual understands and is fully trained on emergency procedures.
7. Educated and trained (document training) the individual on all safety procedures, practices and protocols which include:
   1. Adherence to appropriate measures established for working in isolation; and
   2. Awareness of the hazards and the methods used to control or eliminate them so work can be performed safely.
8. Evaluated safety measures on a regular basis to ensure that the practices are applicable, effective, compliant and in consideration of any new changes in work tasks or operations.
9. Ensured incidents and injuries are reported immediately to the person in charge of the work.
10. Ensured all incidents are investigated, corrective action taken when necessary and documented.
11. Developed a system, such as after-hour permits or permission forms for undergraduate students, to prevent untrained persons from gaining access to laboratories and other hazardous locations within campus buildings.

The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and the UW System is committed to providing a safe and healthful higher education environment for students, faculty, staff and other people using UW programs and facilities. As part of this commitment, it is essential that UW System institutions have risk assessments, hazard analyses and procedures in place for circumstances that may require an individual to work in isolation in a hazardous or potentially hazardous environment or one with high-risk hazards.

A copy of the completed and approved checklist should be forwarded to University Safety and Assurances (safety-office@uwm.edu). Store the approved form in an easy to find location, that is accessible to all and available at all times.