About Occupational Health and Safety
Background
In 2007, then President Bruininks established a new University-wide Office of Occupational Health and Safety designed to coordinate and ensure alignment of occupational health and safety programs and compliance activities across the University system. The President’s decision to establish this new office was based on a comprehensive report produced by an occupational health and safety task force charged by former Vice President for Human Resources Carol Carrier, former Vice President for University Services Kathleen O'Brien, and Vice President for Research Timothy Mulcahy. The office is managed through the Office of Human Resources. Paul Allwood is the director.
To read more about our goals, principles, and projects, please click on the links below.
Program Goals
- Ensure program activities create an integrated, functional program based on recognized program elements.
- Position the health and safety functions of the University into an appropriate and integrated management structure.
- Plan and oversee the University’s health and safety programs to ensure coordinated and integrated services delivered in the most effective, equitable, and efficient manner.
- Ensure the University has effective policies and procedures relating to health and safety.
- Identify, modify, or establish clear program roles and responsibilities including both operational and oversight responsibilities.
- Ensure health and safety training programs are appropriately tailored and effectively delivered to stakeholders.
- Ensure workplace hazards are identified and assessed; effective medical surveillance, emergency response, illness and injury care, and return to work programs are provided.
- Ensure effective communication and coordination of University roles regarding health and safety issues.
- Provide a funding model to ensure appropriate and equitable level of services, supporting infrastructure, and resources across the University system.
- Collect and analyze data to ensure continuous improvement and alignment of program activities with program goals.
Principles
Align with University Mission, Values, and Vision. Support the teaching, research, and service mission of the University as it strives to become one of the top three public research institutions in the world by:
- Ensuring the health and safety of those carrying out the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service.
- Developing a comprehensive occupational health and safety program that can adapt to changing needs as the complexity and volume of research grows.
- Creating a quality health and safety function for research-related risks that will support the strategic positioning initiative to become a top research institution.
- Setting a high standard for occupational health and safety program that is appropriate for the State of Minnesota and the University’s broad array of land grant programming.
Meet Legal and Ethical Expectations. Abide by all legal requirements as well as meet the University’s ethical commitment to preserve and promote the health and safety of the University community by:
- Establishing standards for occupational health and safety that ensure compliance with health and safety laws, rules, and regulations mandated by federal, state, and local laws and University policies.
- Meeting expectations to uphold institutional values for responsible conduct, ethical principles, and stewardship.
- Establishing best management practices, setting standard operating procedures, and adopting appropriate financial and business systems to support occupational health and safety.
Extend System-Wide to All Community Members. Provide a system-wide occupational health and safety program to serve all employees, students, volunteers, and visitors who participate in activities related to the University’s missions by:
- Identifying and recognizing the many roles of the University’s valuable human resources who act on behalf of the University and ensuring protection for those who may be exposed to health and safety concerns.
- Standardizing the University occupational health and safety program and provide sufficient resources to serve all five campuses, eighteen regional centers, ten research and outreach centers, and other locations within and outside of Minnesota.
- Establishing service levels appropriate to individuals’ relationships to the University and their interaction with University health and safety concerns.
Balance University and Individual Rights by:
- Basing the conditions for participation in University activities that could involve risk on appropriate education, procedures, accepted health and safety practices, and other health protections for such activities.
- Balancing the University’s right to set the conditions of work and participation with the right of individuals to make personal health decisions.
- Respect academic freedom while assuring an adequate level of safety.
Complement Health and Wellness Initiatives. Complement University efforts to promote health and wellness of the workforce, students, and community by:
- Recognizing that a combination of individual health factors may create or accentuate a workplace health and safety risk.
- Coordinating occupational health and safety programs with health and wellness programs conducted by other University units to leverage greater efficiency and efficacy.
Committees
Occupational Health and Safety Steering Committee
- Paul Allwood, Director, Occupational Health and Safety
- Terry Bock, Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff for the Academic Health Center
- Kathryn Brown, Vice President for Human Resources
- Patty Franklin, Office of the President
- Aaron Friedman, Vice President for Health Sciences
- Gail Klatt, Associate Vice President for Internal Audits
- Timothy Mulcahy, Vice President for Research
- Lynn Zentner, Director of the Office of Institutional Compliance
Research Occupational Health and Safety Coordination Committee (ROHSCC)
- Paul Allwood, Director, Office of Occupational Health and Safety (Chair)
- Lisa Brosseau, Associate Professor, Environmental Health and Safety
- Cyd Gillett, Director, Comparative Medicine/AHC
- Moira Keane, Director, Human Research Protection Programs
- Craig Moody, Director, Environmental Health and Safety
- Paul Serafini, Occupational Health and Safety Inspector
Occupational Health and Safety Committee
The Occupational Health and Safety Committee meets monthly to discuss, review, and advise on health and safety issues at the University. The membership comprises representatives from labor and management across University departments. Meetings are held quarterly and staff support is provided by the Office of Occupational Health and Safety. If you have any questions about this committee, please contact us at uohs@umn.edu or 612-626-5008.
