18. SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Several policies relate to protecting your environment, health and safety. You should be aware of their content and follow the procedures as appropriate. Several recent policies are briefly discussed here. Refer to the policy section available on the web (www.nmsu.edu/~safety) for complete detail.

Prior Approval/Safety Review

All activities involving unusual or non-routine use of hazardous or highly toxic material as well as hazardous work activities and campus events are to be reviewed for safety & approved before starting. Details & Prior Approval forms are on EH&S web (safety.nmsu.edu). Campus Activity request forms are at http://www.nmsu.edu/~activities/activityplanning.html.

Hazardous Material Shipping

Per DOT regulations and NMSU policy, all hazardous materials shipped from NMSU must be via trained, Physical Science Laboratory personnel (details are on the EH&S website).

Hazardous Material Use In Buildings

Hazardous materials use inside buildings is to be controlled to keep exposures are below permissible exposure limits. Except in special vented areas (e.g. labs), volatiles are restricted to:

1. Unoccupied areas or occupied areas with additional ventilation, and
2. by trained employees using respiratory or other protection.
3. For more information, contact the EH&S 646-3327

Hazardous Waste

All hazardous, infectious and regulated material must be disposed of through or under the supervision of EH&S.

Smoking

State law ($100 fine) prohibits smoking in NMSU buildings and vehicles [update 2007]. NMSU policy prohibits smoking in and within 25’ of the entries to NMSU buildings [updated 2006]. Smoking is also prohibited in all NMSU vehicles. Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas.

Nondiscrimination & Reporting Hazards

Employees who report environmental, health or safety problems to internal departments are protected from discrimination. (see EH&S web for details) EH&S maintains an open door policy to resolve these issues. (Link to file report via EH&S suggestion form). Fraud, safety, and other concerns can also be reported anonymously to the Audit Office via the Ethicspoint's website or by phone (additional information) (Link for confidential reporting via Ethicspoint website).

Mercury Minimization

In order to reduce the associated risks and comply with wastewater discharge requirements, NMSU must reduce its use of non-essential elemental mercury and mercury devices. The remaining materials are to be safe guarded from spillage and listed on the NMSU HazCom inventory system (details).

Golf Carts

The NMSU utility cart safety program requires that all golf and utility carts used on campus roads and walkways be registered and tagged. They are to be inspected to ensure that they have the proper safety equipment (lights, signals, horn, brakelights, etc.). In addition all users must have a NMSU cart operator permit to drive these units (see policy on website). [update 2008]

Driving University Vehicles

Prospective drivers of University vehicles must have a valid driver’s license and will undergo a motor vehicle records check. Out of state license holders will be required to provide a certified copy of your driving history before a NMSU permit is issued. You will also be required to attend a National Safety Council’s defensive driving course (or equivalent). This class is provided monthly by EH&S. As noted above utility cart operators must also have an operators permit.

Controlled Access Policy

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