Standards of Conduct Guide

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY
UTSA is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees and campus visitors. All UTSA employees should perform their duties in compliance with all applicable institutional policies, federal, state and local laws, and standards relating to the environment and protection of worker health and safety. Each employee should become familiar with and understand how these laws, standards and policies apply to their specific job responsibilities and seek advice from their supervisor and/or the Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management (EHSRM), as needed. Employees are responsible for advising their supervisor or EHSRM of any serious workplace injury or any situation presenting a danger of injury so that timely corrective action may be taken.

Additional information may be found at http://www.utsa.edu/Safety/ or
http://www.utsa.edu/hop/Chapter9/9-5.cfm.

Q: I accidentally cut my finger on a paper cutter and will most likely need stitches. Do I need to report this to anyone?

A: Yes. You should always report any job-related injury, no matter how small, to your supervisor who will contact the Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management. Your supervisor or department should complete the required Workers Compensation Insurance forms.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
UT System’s Environmental Policy Statement, which is applicable to UTSA and all other UT System institutions, includes the requirement that all employees manage hazardous chemical, radioactive and other wastes in a way that maximizes protection of human health and the environment. This means that employees must properly dispose of such wastes, thereby preventing pollution by eliminating improper discharge into the air, sewer systems, onto the ground or directly into bodies of water. The Environmental Policy also states that all employees will be trained to perform their duties and conduct their activities in an environmentally responsible manner. To accomplish this goal, Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management (EHSRM) provides training courses regarding the management and handling of chemical, radioactive, biological and other hazardous wastes. Many activities impacting our environment are regulated by federal and state law, as well as by permit and local/institutional policies and procedures. UTSA also has an active program for recycling used materials. For guidance regarding your responsibilities or to report an activity that seems inconsistent with policy, please contact EHSRM.

Additional information may be found at http://www.utsa.edu/Safety/ or
http://www.utsystem.edu/policy/policies/uts161.html
(UT System Environmental Policy Statement).

Q: May I pour waste chemicals down the sink drain if I feel that they are non-hazardous?

A: No. Chemical waste should not be poured down the drain. The Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management (EHSRM) provides regular pickup and disposal services for chemical, biological and radioactive waste that is generated by UTSA. Contact EHSRM if you have any questions regarding this service.

DRUG- AND WEAPON-FREE WORKPLACE
UTSA is committed to a drug- and weapon-free environment. The possession, use, manufacture, distribution, transport or sale of illegal drugs or the unauthorized use or possession of alcohol in the workplace is prohibited. If an employee reports to work with a weapon, under the influence of an illegal drug or alcohol, or uses, possesses or sells alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours (day or evening, depending on your work schedule) or on UTSA property, that employee will be subject to disciplinary action. The disciplinary action can include termination or mandatory satisfactory participation in an approved drug assistance rehabilitation program or both. dditionally,
an employee may be subject to criminal charges for violations of state and/or federal laws. The use of alcoholic beverages in UTSA facilities is forbidden; however, the president may waive this prohibition with respect to any event sponsored by UTSA.

Additional information may be found at http://www.utsa.edu/hop/Chapter9/9-18.cfm.

Q:A co-worker’s recent behavior makes me believe he may have a problem with drugs or alcohol. What should I do?

A:All UTSA employees are required to report an employee behaving in an unsafe manner. If this is the case, you should report your observations to your supervisor.

The University of Texas at San Antonio, Office of Institutional Compliance