POL 04.20.07 – Occupational Health and Safety Policy

Authority: Board of Trustees

History: First Issued: February 17, 1995. Last Revised: April 19, 2023.

Related Policies:
Environmental Health and Safety Program

Additional References:
NC OSHR Workplace Safety

Contact Info: Associate Vice Chancellor for Environmental Health and Public Safety

1. It is the intent of North Carolina State University (NC State) to provide the safest possible environment in which students, staff and the faculty may pursue their activities.

2. NC State has established administrative procedures for the reduction and prevention of on-the-job accidents and illnesses and for the protection of the environment. Moreover, these procedures will be continually reviewed and appropriately modified. These procedures are to be used as a foundation for establishing safety and environmental health programs in every unit of the University.

3. NC State believes that managing our environmental resources and safety programs merits the highest priority in the conduct of all University operations. In this context, and keeping with the NC State’s spirit of leadership and innovation, the University has made a commitment to an environmental health and safety program which will serve as the model for other academic institutions.

4. At NC State, no job is so important and no service so urgent that we cannot take the time to perform our work safely and in an environmentally conscientious manner. Each line manager and each employee is responsible for assuring that all activities result in an acceptable level of risk to themselves, to others present, to the general population and to the environment.

5. NC State will conduct its operations, and design and construct construct its facilities in a manner to protect employees, the environment, conserve resources, minimize waste, and comply with all applicable regulations.

6. In the area of radiation safety, NC State has adopted the “ALARA” (As Low AReasonably Achievable) philosophy; thus, all units of the University shall make every effort to minimize radiation exposures and releases of radioactive materials in effluents to unrestricted areas.