Occupational Health
> Hazard Communication
> Hearing Conservation
> Ergonomics
> Air Quality (PDF)
> Non-Ionizing Radiation
> Personal Protective Equipment
Occupational Safety
> Confined Space
> Electrical Safety
> Forklifts/Powered Industrial Vehicles
> Hot Work Permit
> Ladder Safety
> Lockout/Tagout
> Machine Guarding
> Respiratory Protection
> Shop Safety
NYU's Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) has been developed to protect employees from noise-induced hearing loss in the workplace. The program includes noise monitoring, audiometric testing of applicable workers, noise abatement and/or administrative controls, training and record keeping. Click here (PDF) to view the policy.
The term Ergonomics comes from the Greek words "ergon," meaning work, and "nomoi," meaning natural laws. The idea of ergonomics is to fit your work environment as closely as possible to the individual. Doing so may help to limit musculoskeletal problems.
Office Ergonomics
Setting up your workstation properly may be the single easiest way to prevent injuries. Follow the NYC’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s easy suggestions in the fact sheets below:
What Should I Look For When Purchasing an Office Chair
Key Board Tray Adjustment Fact Sheet
Selecting the Right Mouse or Pointer Fact Sheet
Setting Up an Ergonomics Program
OSHA’s Ergonomic e-tool Web-based training
Working with the body in a neutral position reduces stress and strain on the muscles, tendons, and skeletal system and reduces your risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). The following are important considerations when attempting to maintain neutral body postures while working at the computer workstation:
Create a safe and comfortable workstation by reviewing this checklist.
Although there is much that can be done to improve workstation setup, there are no guarantees that the measures will be completely successful. If you believe there may be ways to improve your workstation or if you have any questions regarding its setup, ask your supervisor to contact Environmental Health & Safety to schedule an evaluation.
NYU's Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety program is intended to protect personnel, visitors and property form the hazards associated with sources of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths >0.16 micrometers. Click here (PDF) to view the policy.
A Confined Space is a space that:
1) is large enough and so configured
that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work;
2) has limited
or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos,
storage bins, vaults and sewers are spaces that may have limited means
of entry); and
3) is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
All employees whose work involves entering a Confined Space must be properly trained in the correct entry and work procedures in advance. However, all Confined Space entry is currently performed by outside contractors. Please notify Environmental Health & Safety if your work activities involve Confined Space Entry. Click here (PDF) to view NYU's policy.
OSHA Electrical Incident e-Tool
NYU Electrical Extension Chord Safety Policy
NYU Electrical Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Policy
A variety of possible solutions may be implemented to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury associated with electrical work. Examples of solutions include the use of insulation, guarding, grounding, electrical protective devices, and safe work practices. The following references aid in controlling electrical hazards in the workplace.
OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/Tagout)
OSHA's Lockout/Tagout Interactive Training
Forklifts/Powered Industrial Vehicles
Powered Industrial Vehicles is a term that means any piece of equipment that is powered by electricity, battery, or propane that is used to transport or haul material.
Mandatory training is provided when the employee is initially assigned to the vehicle or work area and again when an employee has been involved in an accident, has been careless, the conditions of the workplace changes or has been assigned to a different truck. In addition, a Performance Driving Test Evaluation must be conducted once every 3 years by an experienced driver. Click here (PDF) to view NYU's policy.
OSHA's Powered Industrial Trucks
OSHA's Powered Industrial Truck’s Operator Training
The Hot Work Permit is a permit authorizing the performance of welding, flame cutting and soldering processes. The authorization shall come from a Building Manager and/or Maintenance & Operations Supervisor. The Building Manager and/or Maintenance & Operations Supervisor shall be responsible for the safe practice of all processes performed by the operators.
Training on Hot Work Permits is mandatory for Building Managers and/or Maintenance & Operations Supervisors or anyone issuing a Hot Work Permit, and is provided by Environmental Health & Safety. Click here (PDF) to view NYU's policy on Hot Work.
When used properly, ladders can make many tasks easier to perform. However, each year, many people suffer serious injuries from accidents involving ladders. Even the best ladder is not safe unless you are trained and proficient in using ladders.
All employees are encouraged to attend Ladder Safety training offered through M&O's "Mandatory OSHA Training Sessions" which include: Lockout/Tagout, PPE, Hot Work, and Ladder Safety. Click here (PDF) to view NYU's policy on Ladder Safety.
Lockout/Tagout is the control of hazardous energy. When service or maintenance work is required, lockout and tagout devices help ensure personal safety from possible energy releases.
All employees whose work involves hazardous energy sources must be trained in lockout/tagout procedures. This training is offered through M&O's "Mandatory OSHA Training Sessions" to include: Lockout/Tagout, PPE, Hot Work, and Ladder Safety. Click here (PDF) to view NYU's policy.
Moving machine parts must be safeguarded to protect operators from serious injury. Belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, flywheels, chains, and other moving parts must be guarded if there is a chance they could come in contact with an operator.
All operators are required to be trained in, and familiar with, the operation of machinery used in their respective job assignment(s). An annual Self-Audit Evaluation will be completed by each operator under the guidance of a supervisor and returned to EHS. Click here (PDF) to view NYU's policy.
The Respiratory Protection Program is in place for the protection of NYU employees who are exposed to inhalation hazards in the workplace. When administrative or ventilation controls are inadequate or not feasible to appropriately protect employees from airborne exposures to chemical and physical hazards (particulates), tight fitting respirators are utilized. The possibility of mitigating an airborne hazard through administrative and engineering controls (such as fume hoods and local ventilation systems) is always exhausted before respiratory protection is recommended. Tight fitting respirators are half face or full face respirators with filtering cartridges used to filter airborne contaminates from an employee breathing zone, paper dust masks are not considered tight fitting respirators.
All employees who use tight fitting respirators must be included in the Respiratory Protection Program which consists of the following:
- the ongoing selection and assessment of respiratory equipment
- annual medical evaluations of employees who use tight fitting respirators
- annual fit testing for employees who use tight-fitting respirators
- annual training for all employees included in the program
The medical questionnaire can be found by clicking the link below. On an annual basis the medical questionnaire must be submitted to Student Health Services BEFORE the required annual fit testing and training. Please contact EH&S in order to schedule the appropriate submission of annual medical questionnaires, fit tests, and training.
Dust masks can be readily used by any employee who is exposed to periodic airborne dust during the course of their normal work tasks and do not require participation in the Respiratory Protection Program. If you have specific questions about airborne hazards or respirator use, please consult with EH&S on the best course of action.
NYU Respirator Protection Program Policy
Appendix A – Respirator Use
Appendix B – Fit Testing Protocols
Appendix C – Respirator User Seal-Check
Appendix D – Respirator Cleaning Procedures
Appendix E – Inspection /Maintenance Log
Appendix F – Respirator Medical Evaluation Form
NYU Respirator Protection Program for Supplied Air
OSHA’s Respiratory Protection e-Tool
The hazards associated with shop work require special safety considerations. Whether you work in a metal shop, wood shop, or electrical shop, the potential hazards for personal injury are numerous.
All personnel whose work revolves around a metal shop, wood shop or electrical shop are required to complete a Shop Safety Refresher. The Shop Safety Refresher will be completed by each operator under the guidance of a supervisor and returned to EHS.