Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) provides workplace safety resources for that apply to a variety of different working environments campus-wide. Below are resources available to assist campus partners that stretches across a variety of topics.
Workplace Safety Topics
Bloodborne Pathogens Program (BBP)
The purpose of the BBP is to protect workers by preventing exposures to Bloodborne Pathogens through the utilization of work practice controls, personal protective equipment and training.
Confined spaces are areas that are not designed for people to occupy, but are large enough for people to enter. They have restricted means for entry and exiting and can also contain hazards detrimental to safety and health. Such hazardous spaces require specific permitting for entry. EHS has developed a Permit-Required Confined Space Entry Program that meets the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146.
Electrical Safety
Working with electricity can be dangerous. Engineers, electricians, and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Others, such as office workers and salespeople, work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards.
Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard. OSHA's electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions. Training can include awareness (Percipio), authorized, NFPA 70E (Percipio and classroom) and other areas under electrical standards.
Ergonomics is the practice of fitting a job to an individual which can help prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and low back pain. Identifying risk factors that can contribute to the development of work-related musculoskeletal injuries helps identify solutions that can eliminate or reduce these risk factors.
Falls from elevation are a major cause of accidents and fatalities in the workplace and are a focus area for OSHA.
Hazard Communication (HazCom) Program
The HazCom Program describes the responsibilities of Principal Investigators (PIs), laboratory and department supervisors, laboratory workers, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). Protection from hazards provided by the program is meant to be consistent, whether in a chemical laboratory or in non-laboratory workplaces such as shops, custodial and maintenance services, and transportation facilities.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has established a written Hot Work program to protect the campus community for all operations that involve open flames, produce sparks, hot slag, or excessive heat.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Mold
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within buildings and its relation to the health of their occupants. EHS recognizes this and has developed resources to assist in managing IAQ issues when they arise. The institute strives to maintain a healthy working and learning environment for students, staff, and all campus partners
A job hazard analysis (JHA), sometimes referred to as a job safety analysis, helps you identify and control unrecognized hazards, as well as hazards that might emerge when a new process or piece of equipment is introduced.
Ladder Safety
Ladders are tools. Many of the basic safety rules that apply to most tools also apply to the safe use of a ladder. Ladder safety training is a tool for the proper selection, care and safe use of ladders, including stepladders, single and extension, articulated and mobile ladders. Choosing the right ladder for the job.
Lockout/Tagout (Energy Control Program)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has developed a Energy Control (Lockout/Tagout) Program to protect students and staff from the accidental start-up of a machine or the release of stored energy during the service, maintenance, and installation of process and/or utility equipment and systems.
Machine Guarding
Hand and power tools are a common part of our everyday lives and are present throughout RPI's campus. These tools help us to easily perform tasks that otherwise would be difficult or impossible. However, these simple tools can be hazardous and have the potential for causing severe injuries when used or maintained improperly. Special attention toward hand and power tool safety is necessary in order to reduce or eliminate these hazards. This program contains practices to comply with, but not limited to OSHA's standards: 29 CFR 1910.211, 212, 213, 215, 219, 147, 241, 242, 243, 244, 301, 399, and ANSI B11.
Personal Protective Equipment
This program contains the practices and procedures required to comply with all OSHA standards addressing PPE. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.
Powered Industrial Truck Program
A powered industrial truck is defined by OSHA as any mobile power-propelled truck used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack or tier materials. Examples include forklifts, pallet jacks, low lift jacks.
Respiratory Protection Program
The Respiratory Protection Program is designed to provide information and requirements regarding respiratory protection to achieve that goal. The use of respiratory protection at Rensselaer is largely directed by the requirements specified by OSHA regulations, specifically 29 CFR 1910.134.
