Loss Prevention & Control Programs

The NMSU Loss Prevention and Control Program is a comprehensive and systematic approach to the many facets of safety and environmental protection.  Its purpose is to provide a safe and healthy environment for the University community and reduce the number, severity and potential costs of injuries, illnesses and harmful activities. Loss prevention generally includes proactive measures to prevent or abate potential risks. This may be in the form of improved safety and training programs; implementing new, less hazardous processes; programs/projects to reduce injuries and property loss; and/ or general safety enhancements. Loss control is the act of reducing severity by identifying the factors that aggravate or increase a loss and taking proactive measures to lessen the effects of those factors.

The mission of this program is accomplished by the following activities:

• Developing and providing health and safety training programs for the University Community.  Establishing the roles and responsibility of employee, supervisor and management in worker safety (EH&S aka "NMSU Safety" Policy).
• Inspecting and coordinating self audits of NMSU facilities to identify deficiencies or risky practices at NMSU divisions.
• Providing or identifying resources to correct facility deficiencies and technical assistance to improve the work practices. These include reviews of practices involving environmental protection, employee health and occupational as well as campus safety.
• Ensuring continues safe work practices by refresher training and arranging assessments for new potentially hazardous work (prior approval, hazard assessment).

• Identifying the risks that contribute to losses and providing help and resources to control or minimize these risk factors (monitoring/review of accident/illiness reports & loss time, accident investigation and reports, campus activity reviews/approvals).
• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of safety programs to insure that program goals are achieved (Annual OSHA 300 log, annual safety training reviews, employee evaluations of EH&S training, services & programs).
• Developing proactive prevention and control programs and techniques that will eliminate or reduce the risk of a employee or student injury in workplace or University-related activity (University Safety committee, Communible Disease Prevention Committee, Crisis Management Committee, Transportation Council).

NMSU Compliance Programs (OSHA, EPA, local, NRC)

• Employee Safety Training Classes (training policy for new staff, faculty & student employees, EH&S database of OSHA-related employees & student training classes)
• Driver Safety Program (NMSU driving permit policy, vehicle use procedures, driving classes, periodic driver history review, EH&S joint oversight with NMSU transportation council)
• Chemical Safety Program (HazCom training, University-wide chemical database, inspection)
• Lab Safety Program (Lab Standard training, EH&S prior approval safety review, joint coordination with dept chemical hygiene officers, lab safety guide book & CHP, EH&S annual lab & safety equipment inspections)
• Hazardous Waste Program (EH&S oversight/control of all hazardous, radioactive and regulated waste disposal, policy, training, waste collection, disposal, waste accumulation inspection)
• Biosafety Program (BBP/biosafety training, joint oversight with Biosafety Committee)
• Fire Safety Program (Fire prevention and fire safety guide, inspects overlap with fire dept, fire fighting & extinguisher training provided by Fire Dept)
• Radiation Safety Program (EH&S control of Rad permits, inventory, dosimetry, joint oversight with Radiation Committee)
• Laser Safety Use Guide  (control measures guide,  Laser Inventory and EH&S oversight of use)
• IAQ Exposure Control Program (Indoor air quality control, chemical use policy, chemical & mold exposure assessment, instrument monitoring of air quality)
• Respiratory Protection Program (medical evaluation by Employee Health, EH&S provides respirator training and annual fit testing)
• Asbestos O&M Control Program (EH&S control & oversight of asbestos incidents, investigation, analysis, operations & maintenance, abatement projects, air monitoring, disposal and inhouse O&M projects)
• Emergency (Crisis) Management Program (EH&S provides emergency preparedness information, supports annual fire drills, reviews emergency action plans, policy, training classes, chemical spill plans & cleanup, EH&S coordinates with/is resource for Police and Fire dept during emergency & hazmat operations)
• Campus Activity (Safety) Reviews (EH&S support & joint coordination with Student Activity Office and Conference Services to provide activity & liability review, onsite inspection (as needed) e.g  Halloween Haunted House, Aggie Days, Homecoming Parade ( Parade Float Guide), NCRA campus rodeo, canon firing (policy canon firing).
• Industrial, Shop & Agricultural Safety Programs
  • Confined Space Program (EH&S training classes, entry permits, periodic drills with OFS and Fire dept)
  • (In work) Electrical Safety (policy, EH&S training classes, building inspection, building repair funding, EH&S coordination with electric shop)
  • Ladder Safety and Fall Protection (regular ladder training classes and inspections as needed)
  • NMSU Lockout/Tagout Program  &  Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout/Tagout training)
  • Personal Protective Equipment Policy & Hazard Assessment (policy)
  • Fork lift training program  & (In work) Powered Industrial Truck) and industrial/heavy equipment training
  • Compressed Gas Cylinders Handling & Use Guide
  • Machine Guarding Guide (inspections)
• Injury/Illness Recordkeeping Program (per EH&S policy, oversight: Supervisor/worker - injury report, onsite medical - exam/treatment as needed, EH&S/HR - records file/tabulation & review of report)

Important Links

• Concepts and Techniques of Machine Safeguarding
• Hand and Portable Powered Tools
• Hazardous Materials - Flammable and Combustible Materials
• National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Office Ergonomics Assessment Tool

Safety and Health Resource Guidance Documents

Self Audit Guides and Checklists