Workplace Safety
Safety policies and procedures are an essential part of providing a safe workplace for our employees and ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations. For complete copies of applicable Middlebury College Environmental Health and Safety related policies can be found under the Helpful Links and Resources tab of this EHS webpage.
Bloodborne Pathogens
Under federal regulations, Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.1030 requires that all employers with employees who may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens implement an exposure control plan. The purpose of this plan is to identify employees at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and implement control measures designed to decrease these risks.
Employees who are identified as having occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBP) will receive annual BBP training and will be offered the Hepatitis-B vaccination series at no charge.
Confined Space
Middlebury’s Confined Space Program outlines the requirements that must be followed when entering, exiting and working in confined spaces.
This plan has been established in order to comply with all local, state and federal regulations, including that of Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.146 and all applicable nationally recognized standards.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics can be best described as simply fitting a job to a person.
Employees can be exposed to risk factors in the workplace that can increase the possibility of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs affect the muscles, nerves and tendons. Risk factors include performing the same or similar tasks repetitively, working in awkward body postures, and doing a task that puts excessive pressure on muscles and joints. You can control risk factors by adjusting your workstation, varying work positions, reducing continuous or repetitious actions, and periodically stretching throughout the day.
These resources and learning tools are available for everyone to use in advance of the onset of illness or injury.
- Tips for Working from Home
- Perfecting Your Home-Work Set Up
- Computer Workstation Setup
- Computing Safely with Laptops
Employees who need additional support may request an ergonomic evaluation by writing to ergonomics@middlebury.edu with specific information about their workstation or job task they are requesting assistance with.
Hazard Communication
Middlebury’s Hazard Communication Program informs and educates employees about the hazards of the substances to which those employees may be exposed and establishes practices to work safely with hazardous substances and comply with regulations.
The Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication Standard is also known as the “Right to Know” or better yet “Right to Understand” standard.
There are five essential components of a Hazard Communication Program:
- Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
- Labeling and Marking Systems
- Employee Training
- Written Plan
- Chemical Inventory List
Employees may access Safety Data Sheets (SDS) using the SDS database located at www.middlebury.edu/sds.
Lockout/Tagout
Lockout Tagout is a critical safety program which prevents injury to employees and contractors resulting from the unexpected energization or start-up of equipment and/or from stored energy.
Lockout/Tagout applies to all Middlebury College employees and contractors who are engaged in the following activities:
- Servicing or maintaining equipment in which unexpected energization could occur,
- Operating equipment that is being serviced or maintained,
- Working in an area where a tagout or lockout system is used, and/or
- Working on or near electrical circuits and equipment
Middlebury’s Hazardous Energy Control Program (Lockout Tagout) has been established in compliance with the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.147 Control of Hazardous Energy standard.
Resources
Personal Protective Equipment
The purpose of Middlebury’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy is to define the basic elements and responsibilities to ensure the safe use of personal protective equipment (PPE) on campus.
This policy has been established in compliance with the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.132 Personal Protective Equipment standard.
PPE Questions and Answers
Q Will the College reimburse me for the purchase of safety toe or slip resistant shoes?
Employees required to wear safety toe (often referred to as steel or composite toe) shoes for work may be reimbursed by the EHS Office up to $150.00 per pair on an annual basis.
Any employee required to wear slip resistant footwear but not safety toe may be reimbursed by the EHS office up to $60.00 per pair on an annual basis. Common examples would be some members of the Dinning and Custodial Departments.
Safety toe and slip resistant shoes must meet and be carry manufactures mark indicating they meet the standards the described in the Middlebury College Personal Protective Equipment Policy under Foot Protection and Purchase of PPE in order to be eligible for reimbursement.
Q How do I get reimbursed for the purchase of safety toe or slip resistant shoes?
In order to receive reimbursement, employees must submit an Expense Report in Oracle, attaching a scanned copy of the receipt. See below for detailed instructions.
Accounts Payable will issue payment through direct deposit or by check, depending on the employee’s normal mode of reimbursement (which may be different from payroll). The reimbursement should be received in approximately two weeks.
HOW TO SUBMIT AN EXPENSE REPORT IN ORACLE FOR SAFETY TOE OR SLIP RESISTANT SHOE REIMBURSEMENT
STEP 1: Log into Oracle. If needed, visit the Middlebury Project Ensemble Resources for Oracle Finance page for instructions on how to log into the system: Oracle Finance page.
STEP 2: Click on the red Oracle icon from the Apps Panel.
STEP 3: Click on the green Expenses icon. Then click on the “+” sign to create an Expense Report.
STEP 4: Enter the Purpose: “Safety Shoe Reimbursement”.
STEP 5: Under Expense Item, click the “+” sign to add an Expense Item to the report.
STEP 6: Fill in the Expense Item page:
- Type: Use arrow to select “Purchase – Supplies” from the drop down menu
- Expense Location: Use arrow to select “United States” from the drop down menu
- Amount: Enter the cost of safety shoes purchased, up to a $150 for safety toe and up to a maximum of $60 for slip resistant
- Description: Type “Safety shoes”
- Merchant: Enter the name of merchant where shoes were purchased from
- Account Number (EDORDA): 314-3002-53004-10-000000-12920-000-0
- Click on the “+” sign next to Attachments (upper right corner of screen) to attach a receipt to the Expense Item
- Click “Browse” and open file containing scanned sales receipt
- Click “OK”
- Click “Close” in the upper right corner to save and return to the Expense Report
STEP 7: Check the box under the expense amount to indicate, “I have read and accept the corporate travel and expense policies.”
STEP 8: Click “Submit” in the upper right corner, which will send the Expense Report to Business Services for approval.
NOTE:
For additional assistance and screenshots of Expense Report creation, visit: https://www.gmhec.org/finance/finance-knowledge-base/
Q If I work outside in the winter, am I able to purchase a pair of safety toe winter boots also?
Yes, employees that work outside may be approved by their supervisor and EHS to receive a second $150 reimbursement for a winter safe toed boot in addition to a $150 reimbursement for a warm weather safety shoe, on an annual basis.
Q How do I access the College's safety toe and slip resistant voucher program?
Middlebury College has established two shoe voucher program partners with local vendors. When presented with an eligible voucher and matching campus identification card these vendors will invoice EHS directly for the reimbursable portion of the safety shoe program (Up to $150 annually for safety toe and up to $60 annually for slip resistant shoes).
The voucher program is available for any of the Lenny Shoe and Apparel store locations in northern and central Vermont and Sensible Shoes in Rutland Vermont.
Simply request a voucher from your supervisor or directly from the EHS department. Bring the hardcopy of the voucher with you when you purchase your shoes, present the voucher and campus ID to the vendor and you are done. Please note the employee will be responsible to pay for the balance of any purchase beyond the list annual maximum and the voucher is good for applicable shoe purchases only.
Powered Industrial Trucks
Middlebury’s Powered Industrial Truck Program ensures proper qualification and training for individuals that have a need to drive industrial fork lift trucks. No employee, student or contractor shall operate this equipment without first receiving proper training and meeting the requirements of the plan.
This plan has been established in order to comply with the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.178 Powered Industrial Trucks standard.
Respiratory Protection
Middlebury’s Respiratory Protection Program is designed to provide the appropriate health and safety requirements that are to be followed when employees are exposed to a respiratory hazard in the workplace.
Middlebury’s Respiratory Protection program has been established in order to comply with the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection standard.