Occupational Health and Safety

In addition to meeting regulatory compliance requirements, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is dedicated to providing a safe work environment for all faculty, staff, and students.

The Colgate University occupational safety program is based on occupational hazard assessments, associated injury prevention programs, and health and safety training for the entire university community. All reported accidents, injuries, and illnesses are investigated by EHS in a timely manner to ensure that no unsafe conditions exist.

Training Management System

Colgate's online training management system (SafeColleges) ensures regulatory and university training requirements are properly maintained and recorded. SafeColleges also provides an online training library for faculty, staff, and students. For further support, contact EHS at 315-228-7994 or via e-mail at mray@colgate.edu.

Respiratory Protection Program

The Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) establishes respiratory protection requirements at Colgate University and describes all aspects pertaining to the safe use and maintenance of university-issued respirators. All respirators are issued through EHS (following a respirator medical evaluation and respirator fit test).

Hot Work Program

Colgate University has established a Hot Work Permit Program to (1) minimize the potential for a fire incident due to hot work on campus and (2) comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.252 Welding, Cutting and Brazing standard, New York State (NYS) Fire Code Chapter 26 Welding and Other Hot Work, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 51B Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work.

Eye and Face Personal Protective Equipment Program

The Eye and Face Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program is designed to ensure all Colgate University staff and students have the appropriate level of protection during activities that present a potential eye and face hazard. The program sets forth use requirements and provides resources to appropriately identify and select eye and face protection based on the specific hazard source. All protective eyewear must meet the ANSI Z87.1-2003 standard.

Confined Space Program

A confined space, as defined in 29 CFR 1910.146, has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (Ex. tanks, vessels, silos, vaults, pits, and storage bins) and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. An inventory of all confined spaces at Colgate University has been compiled to provide potential hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and entry procedures for each identified space.

Confined Space Inventory Map

Material Safety Data Sheets

Colgate University's Online MSDS Library

Incident, Injury, and Illness Reporting

Work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses should be reported as soon as possible via the forms provided below. Upon receipt, EHS will investigate the incident within 24 hours to ensure that no unsafe conditions exist and, when necessary, implement corrective actions.

Employees are required to fill out an online employee incident report.

Students are required to fill out a student accident / injury report and submit it to Environmental Health and Safety.

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control

Employees are at risk of contracting infectious diseases each time they are exposed to bloodborne pathogens. Colgate's policy is to prevent exposure incidents whenever possible. To protect workers and to comply with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, the university has established an Exposure Control Plan.

The purpose of the Exposure Control Plan is to identify occupations, tasks, and procedures where exposure to bloodborne pathogens may occur and to implement controls that will reduce the risk of infection. The Exposure Control Plan also includes provisions for affected employees to receive Hepatitis B vaccinations, training, and, if necessary, confidential medical evaluations.

Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination Form
Hepatitis B Vaccination Consent Form
Bloodborne Pathogen Post Exposure Forms

Map of campus- including blood spill kits