Purdue University Executive Memoranda Master Listing

 

PURDUE UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER
MEMORANDUM NO. A-22
(Supplemented by Executive Memorandum No. B-32)
(Superseded by Executive Memorandum No. C-36)

July 23, 1973

To: Deans, Directors and Heads of Schools, Divisions, Departments, and Offices

Re: Occupational Health and Safety Act

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On 29 December 1970, President Nixon signed into law the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act which became effective 28 April 1971. The purpose of this legislation is to assure safe and healthful working conditions for the Nation's wage earners.

Subsequently, the Indiana General Assembly amended the Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Act by enacting H. B. 1179, P. L. 241, hereafter referred to as OSHA, which was signed into law by the Governor and became effective I May 1973. Any employer, including the State and its political subdivisions, who has one or more employees, is covered by this State law. All Federal occupational safety and health standards in effect as of the passage of the Federal law were adopted as standards in the State law.

The Act requires that each employer shall maintain conditions of work which are reasonably safe and healthful for employees and free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Each employee is required to comply with the occupational health and safety standards promulgated under the Act.

Administration and enforcement of the Indiana Act are vested in the Indiana Division of Labor. Compliance officers, following unannounced inspections, will issue citations for alleged violations of health and safety standards. Any employer who fails to correct a violation for which a safety order has been issued within the period permitted is subject to a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1, 000) for each day during which such failure or violation continues. Any employer who willfully or repeatedly violates the requirements of any standard may be assessed a civil penalty of not more then ten thousand dollars ($10, 000).

It is the intent of the University to comply fully with the requirements of the OSHA Law. Each Dean, Director and Department Head is charged with the responsibility for compliance with the provisions of the Law in his area of responsibility. Minor and routine costs to comply with OSHA standards will be borne by the individual departments. Requests for funds to correct major deficiencies should be submitted through the usual channels.

To assist the Department Heads, the following Departments will have broad responsibilities as follows:

The Safety and Security Department of Physical Plant shall be the central coordinating unit.

Technical Services

Technical services shall be provided by the Radiological Control Section of the Bionucleonics Department in the area of radiation control (including both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation); by the Environmental Health Office of the Student Hospital in the areas of noise, inhalation, toxicity, and general health hazards; and by the Safety and Security Department in all other areas of safety. The services provided shall consist of:

1. Dissemination of safety standards.

2. Conducting inspections and making recommendations for compliance.

3. Accident investigations as deemed necessary.

4. Safety training assistance.

5. Accompanying State compliance inspectors, and coordinating action decisions resulting from inspections.

Records, Reports, Statistics

The Department of Staff Benefits and Payroll shall be responsible for:

1. The establishing and publishing of procedures for the reporting of all accidents.

2. The recording of all accidents in compliance with OSHA requirements.

3. Analysis of accidents University wide and by Departments.

4. Preparing and submitting required reports internally and to the Division of Labor.

Employee Relations and Training

The Department of Personnel Administration shall be responsible for:

1. Providing assistance in the development of and arrangements for OSHA orientation and training programs.

2. Integration of required safety and health training in other programs:
   1. Supervisory Development Programs
   2. Management Development Programs
   3. Orientation Training

3. Receiving and transmittal of complaints, grievances or questions related to employee rights and obligations under the Law.
   1. Coordination with supervisors and safety and health inspectors.
   2. Coordination with University grievance policy and procedure.

 

L. J. Freehafer
Vice President and Treasurer