RISK MANAGEMENT
Health and Safety

Bloodborne Pathogens

Brigham Young University departments and employees with reasonably anticipated occupational exposures to human blood or other potentially infectious materials, will comply with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) as delineated within this program.

Confined Space

All University employees involved with confined space entry activities must receive training and adhere to the standards outlined in the current Brigham Young University Confined Space program. A confined space is defined as a space that:

• Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and
• Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and
• Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Control of Hazardous Energies: Lockout/Tagout

This program sets forth the requirements that Brigham Young University Authorized Individuals must perform while servicing and maintaining machines and equipment during which the unexpected start up or the release of stored energy could cause serious injury. Where such work is performed, the Authorized Individual(s) must de-energize the equipment and control all hazardous energies by applying a lock and tag on all energy sources associated with the piece of equipment. This is referred to as locking and tagging out the equipment/machinery.

Electrical Safety

Individuals falling within the scope of the current Brigham Young University Electrical Safety program must comply with all applicable program requirements.

Work on or near exposed energized electrical parts, operating at 50-volts or higher is only permitted when it can be demonstrated that de-energization introduces additional or increased hazards, or is infeasible.

The following hazard control hierarchy will be used to mitigate electrical hazards when working on or near exposed energized electrical parts at 50 volts or higher:

Hazard elimination, by completely deenergizing and locking out energized parts
Use of engineering controls, such as panels, shields or barriers, to isolate individuals from energized components
Use of administrative controls, such as development and use of procedures and safe work practices, and completion of an Energized Electrical Work Permit (when applicable).
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individuals must follow the safety requirements outlined in the most current version of Article 320 of NFPA 70E when working with batteries and battery rooms, and the most current version of Article 310 of NFPA 70E when working with electrolytic cells.

An “Energized Work Permit” need not be completed if performing troubleshooting work, or when installing / replacing light-bulbs.

Professors overseeing research or other academic activities need not complete energized electrical work permits so long as adequate written safety procedures are developed that pertain to the work being performed and those individuals performing the work receive adequate training pertaining to such work. Such training must be equivalent to what a qualified person would receive (see definition for qualified person in appendix B). Lasers must be used in accordance with the most current version of Article 330 of NFPA 70E and the University laser safety program.

Excavations

Departments performing excavation work must ensure that supervisors and employees comply with all aspects of the current BYU Excavation Program. Excavation work includes any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in an earth surface, formed by earth removal. All university employees must successfully complete this training program, and receive certification, prior to engaging in excavation work. Contractors working on university projects are expected to meet or exceed the requirements found in this program, and comply with all applicable statues and regulations governing excavation as listed in Section 3.0 of the current BYU Excavation Program.

Fall Protection

Brigham Young University will provide fall protection training in accordance with OSHA standards for all employees exposed to falls of 4 feet or more. Departments will evaluate the potential fall exposure for each function performed by their employees, and designate the fall protection devices required. All fall protection systems and equipment will be purchased and maintained by the department. All systems and equipment will be used in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.

Forklift

Departments assigned powered industrial trucks must ensure that supervisors and operators comply with all aspects of this safety program. All university employees must successfully complete this training program, and receive certification prior to the operation of any powered industrial truck. Contractors operating powered industrial trucks on university projects are expected to meet or exceed the requirements found in this program, and comply with all applicable statues and regulations governing the use of powered industrial trucks as listed in Section 3.0 of this document.

Hot Work

A Hot Work Permit is required before beginning any temporary operation involving open flames or producing heat and/or sparks. BYU employees and students performing Hot Work activities shall be trained and certified according to the specific Hot Work tasks to be performed. Employees and students shall complete and follow the requirements outlined in the Hot Work Permit. BYU employees and students are required to follow the rules and guidelines outlined in this program.

Contractors are expected to meet or exceed the requirements found in this program, and comply with all applicable statutes and regulations governing the use of Hot Work. Permits must be completed prior to performing work. Permits may be completed on line at:

Laser Safety

Brigham Young University students and employees, who enter the NHZ of a high power laser or operate a research laser, will adhere to the stipulations found in the University Laser Safety Program. Lasers classified as Class 3b or Class 4 by the FDA are considered high power lasers.

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPS)

Departments assigned MEWP(s) must ensure that supervisors and operators of MEWP(s) comply with all aspects of this safety program. All university employees must successfully complete this training program, and receive certification prior to the operation of any MEWP. Contractors operating MEWP(s) on university projects are expected to meet or exceed the requirements found in this program, and comply with all applicable statues and regulations governing the use of MEWP(s) as listed in Section 3.0 of this document.

Radiation Safety

All Brigham Young University employees and students working with ionizing radiation will comply with the conditions set in the Radiation Safety Program.

Respiratory Protection

It is the policy of BYU to provide all employees and students a safe and healthy work environment reasonably free of recognized airborne hazards. The OSHA respiratory protection standard, (29 CFR Part 1910.134) serves as the main reference for BYU's Respiratory Protection Program to prevent and/or minimize occupational diseases caused by air contaminated with harmful biological, radiological agents or dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors. All BYU employees and students who are required to use respirators must participate in this program. BYU will make necessary efforts to control airborne contaminants through accepted engineering control measures (i.e., enclosure or confinement of the operation, general and local ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials) and administrative controls, when feasible. In situations in which such controls are not feasible, or in emergency situations, appropriate respiratory protection will be utilized.

Respirators must only be used in a manner consistent with the requirements of this program and manufacturer's recommendations. All respirators used at BYU must be certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and approved by the program administrator.