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.