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Workers Compensation
Hazardous Materials
Travel
I. If I drive my own vehicle on SMU business, who pays if I have an
accident?
If you are driving your vehicle, your insurance company has
primary responsibility for any damage incurred.
II. If I have a wreck in a SMU owned vehicle, who do I notify?
You must notify your supervisor and the Office of Risk
Management immediately.
III. If I am on company business and have a rent
car, do I purchase
the insurance from the car rental agency?
If you are on company business, then you are covered by SMU's
auto insurance. You do not have to purchase additional insurance from the rental
company. As a matter of fact, SMU will not reimburse you for the purchase of
this additional insurance.
I. Does SMU have an emergency evacuation plan?
Yes. The emergency evacuation
plan for the University was written by SMU's Police Department. The police department
is responsible for
initiating all actions in an emergency situation and they have been designated
as the agency in charge. A booklet explaining the emergency plan can be obtained
from the SMU Police Department's website.
Each building or work area should also have their own written emergency evacuation plan. Every employee should have a copy.
II. The emergency exit door has an alarm on it. If it doesn't work,
who do I call?
"Panic" hardware is
installed to allow a work area to have an emergency exit door locked. The door
can be unlocked by pushing a bar or
lever. An alarm will sound. This is actually a security device and not a fire
alarm.
To have batteries replaced, call Campus Planning & Plant Operations. These doors should be tested periodically to insure the alarm is working.
III. If the exit light is not burning, whom do I call?
Call
Campus Planning & Plant Operations.
IV. If the fire extinguisher is missing or needs to be serviced,
whom do I call?
Call the Fire Safety Division
of Risk Management (214-768-4203).
V. Do all of the resident halls have sprinkler systems?
Yes, SMU has thirteen resident
halls on campus and all are sprinklered. In
addition ALL of our residence halls
have "state-of-the-art" fire alarm systems. SMU spent over $585 million
on fire alarm systems for the resident halls.
VI. Are our building inspected for fire safety violations?
The SMU Fire Inspector and the City of University Park Fire
Marshal inspect every building twice a year..
I. If I am hurt while on break or while participating in the
wellness program, is it covered under worker's compensation?
No.
Worker's Compensation covers injuries to an employee who is working within the
course and scope of their job at the time of the injury. "Working out" during
lunch or before and after work is not a part of
the job.
I. Do we have asbestos on campus?
Yes. Any building built before 1970 probably has asbestos
somewhere in it, the buildings at SMU are no exception. SMU has retained a
company to continually inspect all of the buildings to insure that any asbestos
is in a safe condition and represents no harm to anyone in the campus community. It
is not only something SMU wants to do but it is the law.
II. Are there any hazardous materials on campus?
Yes. Some buildings do have hazardous materials. For example, Fondren Science contains almost every chemical known to man. Some are classified as hazardous. Other buildings may also contain hazardous materials.
Ask your supervisor if there are any hazardous materials to which you may be exposed. Make sure they have MSDS's (Material Safety Data Sheets) on hand for those chemicals. Also find out what the procedure is for a "spill" of any of these materials.
III. How or who do I contact to dispose of hazardous waste?
Complete the Environmental Health and Safety's hazardous waste
pickup request form
or contact David Liner at 8-3224.
IV. The water tastes bad at SMU. Why and who do I
report it
to?
Lake levels are typically lower in the late summer months. This may contribute
to a different taste of the drinking water. Since water quality is controlled by
the local municipality, you can contact the City of University Park for any
problems.
V. I observed a contractor doing something
unsafe. Who do I report it to?
The Campus Planning and Plant Operations have Project Managers
over each general project. Contact
C.P.P.O. and the project manager so they can
communicate any unsafe acts to the General Contractor. Contractors are regulated
by O.S.H.A. concerning worker safety.
VI . Does SMU have sick buildings on campus?
No! Air quality inside building is cleaner than outside air.
However, the air quality inside is relative to how good the air quality is on
the outside. You may experience problems during high pollen counts, bad air
quality days, or perhaps if you have pets!
I. Are there procedures I need to follow when planning
travel abroad?
Yes there are. In fact, there are certain countries that
the University's insurer consider "war-risk" countries. Click
here
to
learn
more
about travel abroad.
When dealing with Risk Management, Health & Safety, and/or Life Safety issues, we want people to get the right answers. If you have additional comments or questions, please contact us.
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