General

All employees (faculty and staff) have responsibilities for health, safety and environmental protection under campus policy #5400 and the UC Policy on Management of Health, Safety and the Environment. Per the former:
“Vice Chancellors are responsible for ensuring that units under their authority comply with the campus environmental health and safety policy. Deans, unit heads, principle investigators and supervisors are accountable for establishing and maintaining programs to ensure compliance within their areas and which will provide a safe and healthy environment. All employees are responsible for knowing the applicable safety regulations governing the activities they carry out and are accountable for complying with them.”

Specific

The particular safety responsibilities of an individual will vary depending on their position. Individuals may fall under more than one category.

 

Safety Responsibilities Orientations
(15 min. web-based orientation for supervisors or non-supervisors. Based on the Cal-OSHA mandated Injury & Illness Prevention Program)

Supervisor's Responsibilities - excerpt from the UCSB Health & Safety Binder

Lab Supervisor's Responsibilities for Safety - EH&S guidelines

Laboratory Worker's Responsibilities

Every individual who works in a UCSB laboratory (employee, student, postdoctoral scholar, faculty member, or other person) has responsibilities for safety and environmental compliance.

  1. Comply with applicable environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, University policy and accepted safe work practices. Campus policies are found at: https://www.policy.ucsb.edu/
  2. Observe environmental, health and safety related signs, posters, warning alarms and written directions.
  3. Learn about potential hazards associated with their work and work area; know where information on these hazards is kept for their review; and use this information when needed.
  4. Participate in health and safety training applicable to their work situation.
  5. Follow procedures and observe precautions for the use of special materials (such as carcinogens, acutely toxic chemicals, radioactive materials or biohazards), as detailed in the laboratory’s use-authorizations, and Lab-specific Chemical Hygiene Plan, and the Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the material.
  6. Always use personal protective equipment and engineering controls (e.g., fume hoods) appropriate to the work and understand their proper operation.
  7. Be familiar with the location and general content of the UCSB Emergency Information Flipchart posted in their area. Know the locations of their local safety shower/eyewash, fire extinguishers, first-aid kit and Emergency Assembly Point. Participate in emergency drills.
  8. Curtail or stop their work if they reasonably believe continuation of the work poses an imminent danger to health or safety, and immediately notify their supervisor, or Environmental Health & Safety. Warn co-workers about defective equipment and other hazards.
  9. Participate in required inspection and monitoring programs.
  10. Never work under the influence of substances or circumstances that have adverse effects on cognition.
  • Observe safe practices per faculty, Teaching Assistant, University policies and regulations.
  • Know how to report unrecognized hazards. Hazard Reporting Form is available from EH&S.
  • Understand measures designed to minimize exposure to harmful substances or hazards, including engineering controls, safe work practices and personal protective equipment, e.g., in teaching labs, field work, etc.