Occupational Safety

The use, transportation, and storage of compressed gases present both physical and health hazards to persons, property, and the environment. Therefore, Kennesaw State University (KSU) has developed a Compressed Gas Policy and Procedures, which are consistent with the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.101 “compressed gas standards.” It is the policy of KSU, that only trained “Authorized Persons,” are assigned duties that involved the use, transportation, storage or inspection of compressed gases or its associated equipment. Compressed gas shall always be protected against damage, and exposure to high temperatures, and only stored in authorized locations.

Kennesaw State University (KSU) has numerous spaces which are categorized as Enclosed, Confined, and Permit Required Confined Spaces. Some more hazardous than others, but hazardous nonetheless; therefore, KSU requires entry to any of such spaces to be made only by trained “Authorized Persons” exercising extreme caution, and with the application of effective hazard assessment procedures that are consistent with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146. Those spaces evaluated and deemed “Permit Required Confined Space” shall not be entered until an approved Confined Space Permit has been signed and posted as outlined in the KSU Confined Space Policy and Procedures and effective rescue team(s) are in place.

Kennesaw State University (KSU) is committed to ensure not only the safety and health of its employees, but too and equally important the safety and health of contractors performing services on our campus. KSU fully expects all contracts to abide by governing safety, health, and environmental regulations, standards, and laws. KSU seeks to provide and maintain, so far as practical, an environment for its students, faculty, staff, contractors, and members of the public, which is safe and without risk to health. As a condition of the contract, KSU requires that Contractors, and their Sub-contractors who perform a service on our campus, exercise all necessary safety and health precautions required to safeguard the health and safety of all persons including KSU employees, students, members of the public and the Contractor's own employees. KSU fully expects that all Contractors be aware and immensely familiar with all OSHA, ASNI, ASME, etc. safety and health regulations. KSU also requires that Contractors and their Sub-contractors have on-site all related chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each chemical they bring on campus.

Controlling hazardous energy, far better known as “Lockout – Tagout”, is an absolute must to ensure the safety of employees and contractors while performing maintenance and servicing on machinery. The control of hazardous energy must be applied only by Authorized Employees who have received training on how to recognize the energy source(s), how to determine the magnitude of energy, and how to isolate and control it for any sudden release or inadvertent start-up or reenergization. All KSU Employees and contractors are expected to abide by established policies and procedures, which are at a minimum consistent with the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 Standards. Note: Exposure to electrical hazards from work, near, or with conductors or equipment in electric utilization installations is covered by established safe electrical safe work practices, which are aligned with those outlined in OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart “S” and NFPA-70E.

Kennesaw State University (KSU) owns and operates various types and sizes of overhead lifting devices, commonly referred to as hoists.& KSU's policy is consistent with not only OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and 1926, but also applicable ASME B30 series standards. Regardless of type or size, hoists and cranes shall only be operated and serviced by trained “Authorized Persons.” Rigging and lifting related to suspended load operations is hazardous in nature, and shall be only performed by those personnel who are “Qualified” by having received training specific to their operations. All hoisting and overhead lifting equipment shall be inspected prior to use, and shall be rated to safely support its intended load. Riggers and Signalpersons shall be used when operations dictate. All rigging shall be inspected and maintained in good repair, and taken out of service when found to be suspect of damage, or overstressed.

Kennesaw State University (KSU) fully recognizes the hazards and the severity of unsafe electrical work practices and non-compliant wiring methods; therefore, KSU is committed to fostering the safest and electrical code compliant environment as possible. Electrical energy can be very non-forgiving, thus only trained “Qualified Persons” are authorized to install, service, and make repairs to electrical systems. KSU's Electrical Safety Related Work Practices are consistent with those listed in the OSHA 29 CFR 1910, the National Electric Code (NFPA 70), and the Standards for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (NFPA 70E). KSU requires that all “Qualified Persons” be not only trained IAW NFPA 70E, but also equipped with the properly rated Personal Protection Equipment, and safe electrical tools. Working on energized electrical conductors and/or circuit parts rated at 50 volts or higher is strictly prohibited unless written permission has been granted by an approved Energized Electrical Work Permit.

The Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) at Kennesaw State University (KSU) takes an active role in assessing operations involving high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact with hot objects, or strenuous physical activities that have a high potential for inducing heat stress in a person engaged in such operations. Examples of such operations include but are not limited to: working in foundries, laundries, construction projects, commercial kitchens, boiler rooms, and out-door activities conducted in hot weather (such as grounds work).

The Indoor Air Quality program at Kennesaw State University (KSU) works with the faculty and staff of the university community to promote and ensure, as practical as is possible, a safe working environment for all employees through the recognition, evaluation, and control of workplace health and safety hazards, using knowledge and experience in industrial hygiene It is the goal of KSU to provide a work environment free of recognized hazards and to investigation staff concerns of poor indoor air quality (IAQ).

The use, transportation, and storage of flammable liquids present both physical and health hazards to persons, property, and the environment. Therefore, Kennesaw State University (KSU) has developed a Flammable Liquids Policy and Procedures, which are consistent with the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 “Flammable and Combustible Liquids standards.” It is the policy of KSU, that only trained “Authorized Persons” are assigned duties that involved the use, transportation, and storage of such liquids or related equipment. KSU requires that all flammable and combustible liquids be guarded against ignition and/or heat sources which have the potential to initiate combustion. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be stored, and transported in only authorized approved safety cans, vessels, or tanks and shall be labeled accordingly. KSU prohibits such liquids to be in residential type plastic containers. Compressed gas shall always be protected against damage and exposure to high temperatures, and only stored in authorized locations.

Kennesaw State University (KSU) owns and operates various types of Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT), which are commonly known as Forklifts. Operating a PIT is hazardous; therefore, they shall only be operating by a trained “Authorized Person.” Under no circumstances shall contractors be allowed to operate a KSU lift truck unless express written.

Welding and other forms of “Hot Work” present various hazards, which mandate that such operations only be conducted by trained “Authorized Persons.” Kennesaw State University's (KSU's) Welding and Hot Work Policy are consistent with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.251-255. KSU expects that all equipment used for such operations be in service of good repair and inspected prior to use. KSU also requires that any process deemed as “Hot Work” shall be only conducted after having received a signed “KSU Hot Work Permit,” as fire prevention shall be paramount throughout all Hot Work operations, whereby the area shall be inspected by the KSU Fire Safety Supervisor before and after the hot work operations. The person conducting the hot work operations is fully responsible for providing their own trained and qualified Fire Watch and methods to extinguish a fire should it become necessary.

The commitment of Kennesaw State University (KSU) to safety includes effective management of falling hazards to personnel. KSU fully embraces the Hierarchy of Control methods to effectively eliminate falling hazards, as well as employment of fall prevention and protection approaches. Working at heights is often times required; however, exposing an employee, contractor or student to the hazard of falling from heights greater than four feet is unacceptable and would not be consistent with OSHA 29 CFR 1910 or KSU's Working at Heights Policy. KSU requires that any person using ladders, scaffolding, aerial lifts or scissor lifts be trained by a Competent Person. KSU also requires training for any persons using Personal Fall Arrest System (Harnesses and Arrest Lanyards) and that an effective rescue plan be in place.