Supervisor Safety Responsibilities at UCI

As a supervisor at UCI, you have the responsibility to achieve and maintain a safe work environment for you and your employees and also ensure that your employees work safely. For assistance or questions on the following responsibilities, please contact EHS at 949-824-6200 or at safety@uci.edu.

Specific program areas on which supervisors should focus include the following:

Safety on Site (SOS) Program Implementation

• Divide organization into one or more work units.
• Designate Safety Representative(s):
  • Safety Representative and supervisor completes Hazard Identification Checklist.
  • Check required safety training records in UC Learning Center.

Required Safety Training

• Review employees’ completed Safety Training Self-Assessment selections.
• General safety training - provided by EHS and available through UC Learning Center.
• Work Unit Specific Training - coordinated by your department.
  • May be identified by either supervisor or Safety Representative utilizing the Hazard Identification Checklist as part of the SOS program.

Communication Documentation

• Document all safety communications and store unit files for a minimum of 5 years – document date and time, topics discussed, presenters’ names, minutes, action items, attendees’ names, and signatures.

Injury Response

• Call 911 if any employee, student, or volunteer has a life-threatening condition or requires immediate medical attention.
• Seek medical attention if injury is not life-threatening: Medical Emergency Poster.
• If employee is sent to the hospital, stay apprised of employee’s status and inform EHS (x46200 or at safety@uci.edu) and Workers’ Compensation (x49152 or at wcdm@uci.edu) as soon as practically possible.

Reporting Work-Related Injuries and Incidents

• Report all work-related injuries within 24 hours.
• Visit the EHS website and navigate to the “Report An Injury, Incident, or Safety Concern,” or contact the university’s insurance claim center at 1-877-682-7778.
• Complete the “Supervisors Report of Injury” form, if necessary, and return promptly to EHS.

External Agency Inspections

• Notify EHS directly at 949-824-6200 if an inspector arrives.
• Wait with the inspector until EHS arrives. Do not volunteer any information, but stay cooperative.
• Only take inspector to areas of concern. EHS will take the lead during and after the inspection. In case of a follow-up, EHS will coordinate efforts and communicate with the agency.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Develop specific SOPs plan to safely conduct hazardous processes.
• Access SOP development tools and existing procedures on EHS website: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Provide and ensure PPE is being used and worn correctly by staff.
• Select appropriate PPE based on the potential hazards, level of risks, and seriousness of potential injury: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Department is responsible for the purchase of PPE.

Emergency Plans

• Develop and communicate emergency plans and ensure employees are familiar with general and department-specific plans.
• Create plans for department-specific hazards, and update plans as operations change.

Employee Performance Evaluations

• Rate employees’ safety performance as “Solid Performance” or “Improvement Needed” based on three criteria:
  1. Awareness and completion of all required safety training related to job duties (current/not expired).
  2. Awareness and consistently follows proper safety procedures and use of safety equipment.
  3. Takes responsibility for workplace safety and environment.