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Occupational Safety
The scope of occupational safety traditionally covers personnel employed by the University whether they hold staff or faculty positions. By extension any student who is being paid by the university to perform work is also considered to be an occupationally exposed worker. The University, for ethical and educational reasons, also includes any students or visiting researchers, as occupationally exposed if their research or study activities encompass hazardous materials or conditions similar to those of an occupationally exposed individual. Consequently, all university personnel are expected to adhere to any health and safety policies, requirements or guidelines published by the University administration.
The hierarchy of controls to mitigate risks from any exposures whether to physical, chemical, biological or radiological hazards are:
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- e.g.'s - ventilation systems, remote operating equipment, guard rails
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- e.g.'s - process controls
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- e.g.'s - personnel rotation, special training
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- Personnel Protective Equipment
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- e.g.'s - respirators, cooling vests, gloves
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Personnel protective equipment (PPE) is considered the least desirable control as its efficacy is most dependent on the individual user who may or may not be aware that the PPE is working as desired.
Worker safety starts with prevention so it is incumbent upon every supervisor and each employee to assess the potential hazards of the work to be performed and institute controls to mitigate those hazards. Guidelines and suggested methods for performing those hazard analysis are contained in Rensselaer’s EH&S HAZOP Manual.
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