Workplace Safety

The safety and well-being of employees is of primary concern. The University recognizes the importance of employee safety and accident prevention procedures as an essential part of an efficient, productive and quality operation. Your safety awareness on the job, including safe work habits, is our key to a good safety program. Violation of these or other safety rules will result in discipline, up to and including termination. Following is a list of “general” conduct that is prohibited to ensure the safety of University employees. Departments may issue more detailed safety rules as well.

1. Injuring other people or damaging equipment, tools, materials, or supplies maliciously or through carelessness or negligence.
2. Operating machines or equipment after the removal of safety devices, regulators or guards.
3. Fighting, running, playing practical jokes, throwing things, pushing people, making threats, or other obvious menaces to the safety of other workers.
4. Serious violation of established sanitary rules and regulations.
5. Unauthorized possession of any weapons (including, but not limited to, firearms, knives, explosives) on University premises.
6. Smoking in unauthorized areas of the University or violation of other fire regulations.
7. Failing to use required personal safety equipment (safety glasses, ear plugs, respirators, gloves, etc.).

Reporting Accidents

Employees must report all job-related injuries and illnesses to their supervisors immediately. Do not ignore small scratches or cuts, burns, bruises or abrasions – these should be treated at once. Failure to report an injury in a timely manner could jeopardize an employee’s workers compensation claims rights.

1. Report the accident to your supervisor immediately. If your supervisor is not available, report to the next responsible person or directly to the Office of Human Resources or DePauw Police Department.
2. Upon making a report, the employee will be instructed to fill out a First Report of Injury (except in cases of emergencies when the Report will be filled out at the earliest opportunity after emergency aid has been rendered).
3. The employee will be directed to a physician contracted by the University to provide Workers Compensation covered treatment or to the closest available hospital emergency room.
4. When assisting other injured employees, take care not to risk aggravating an injury through ill-advised attempts at treatment. In cases of emergency, call 911 or the DePauw Police Department.
5. If an injury or illness requires treatment after the end of the work day, first attempt to contact the Office of Human Resources so that an attempt can be made to make an appointment with the contracted physician. If the Office of Human Resources is closed and the situation is not an emergency, the employee should wait until the next work day and make the contact. If the situation is an emergency, the employee should go to the nearest hospital emergency room.