Oregon State University provides a safety orientation for new employees that covers the following key points: 1) OSU is committed to ensuring a safe work environment and holds supervisors accountable for safety responsibilities. Disregard of safety policies may result in discipline. 2) The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) oversees compliance with regulations from agencies like OSHA and ensures expertise in areas such as radiation, biological, and chemical safety. 3) New employees must review materials on hazard communication and complete any required job-specific safety training with their supervisors. Documentation of all training is mandatory.

1. New Employee
Safety Orientation
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

2. OSU Safety Policy
Oregon State University will make reasonable efforts to
provide a safe and healthful working environment for
all employees, students and others. Faculty and staff
administrators will be held accountable for fulfilling
their safety responsibilities. Flagrant disregard of the
University safety policies and procedures may result
in disciplinary action.

3. • The Office of Environmental Health
and Safety (EH&S) manages health
and safety programs for the
university.
• We oversee compliance with many
laws and regulations from assorted
agencies including the
o Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)
o Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)
o National Institutes of Health (NIH)
o Department of Transportation
(DOT)
o State of Oregon Health Division
o and others

4. • EH&S has expertise in
o radiation safety
o biological safety
o chemical safety
o construction safety
o environmental safety
o hazardous waste
o occupational safety
o other areas
• The EH&S web page is a
good place to find further
information.

5. Environmental Health and Safety
Website (http://oregonstate.edu/ehs)
General
category
tabs
Resources
such as
manuals,
plans,
policies,
procedures,
committees,
safety
instructions,
forms, and
contact
information.
Quick
links,
announce-
ments, and
a list of
upcoming
EH&S
training
events.

6. Safety
Instructions
provide a basic
overview of
safety practices
for a number of
topics.

7. • This customizable form is used by
supervisors to indicate the types of
work for which specific safety training
is required, and by the employee to
indicate which training has been
completed.
• Page two contains laboratory safety
items, plus optional safety trainings.
• Sign and date page two to acknowledge
completed safety training.
• Keep a copy of the completed form in
the department. An online certification
is available to notify EH&S that the
training has been completed and the
form is on file in the department.
Find the form online here:

8. • All employees have the right to know what
hazardous materials they are working with
or around.
• Working Safely with Hazardous Materials
(click the arrow to open) should be
reviewed by all new employees. It explains
the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) system for
hazardous materials.
• Reading this handbook will fulfill the basic
requirements of hazard communication for
new employees.
• Supervisors will provide additional training
for their specific location and materials.
• Note that more comprehensive SDS on-line
training is required for laboratory workers.
Safety Instruction 1, the “Right to Know” contains more information and
additional links.

9. You have the right to know about Specific Agents
that you may be working with or near:
 Carcinogens are chemicals which are known or suspected
to cause cancer.
 Bloodborne Pathogens are micro-organisms that are
present in human blood that can cause disease in humans.
Additional information is available on the Biological Safety
(oregonstate.edu/ehs/bio) web page.
 Radioactive Materials are used extensively in OSU
laboratories. Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation
has been shown to increase the risk of cancer and
reproductive effects. Prior to working with or in the near
vicinity of radioactive material, employees must receive
additional training. Go to the Radiation Safety
(oregonstate.edu/ehs/rso) web page for more information.

10.  Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was formerly used in building
products such as thermal insulation on pipes, ceiling tiles, floor tile and mastic
(glue), linoleum and its backing. Buildings at OSU have been surveyed for
asbestos-containing material (ACM). The report is located in the EH&S office and
is available for review during working hours. OSU’s Asbestos Management Plan
can be found on the EHS webpage Safety Instruction 43. The goal is to maintain
ACM in good condition by using an active inspection and repair program. The
plan will significantly diminish the potential hazard from inhaling asbestos fibers.
You can help:
o DO NOT hang items from any insulation or ceiling tiles
o DO NOT store items on top of any insulated pipes
o DO NOT disturb or damage ACM while moving or transporting items
o DO NOT drill, cut or perforate ACM
o DO NOT use brooms, dry brushes, or standard vacuums in the vicinity of
damaged asbestos-insulated pipe.
o DO call Facilities Services Customer Service about any damaged areas.

11. All new employees should view the General and Office Safety PowerPoint
presentation (click the arrow to open) prior to beginning work

12. • Supervisors must determine
additional safety training
requirements based on the
employee’s position description and
specific working conditions.
• Supervisors need to provide the job-
specific safety training for their
workers.
• Documentation of all safety training
is required, including employee’s
name and OSU ID number, date, and
title of the training.

13. • Training records should also
include a brief outline, checklist,
or synopsis of topics covered for
all job-specific safety training.
• Individuals should be able to
demonstrate understanding of
the training they have received.
Short quizzes or
acknowledgement forms are
ways to document this.

14. Environmental Health and Safety (environment.safety@oregonstate.edu) 541-737-2273
Risk Management (risk@oregonstate.edu) 541-737-7340
Emergency Management (Michael.Bamberger@oregonstate.edu) 541-737-4713
Safety Training Coordinator (Kay.Miller@oregonstate.edu) 541-737-7083
Radiation Safety Office (radiation.safety@oregonstate.edu) 541-737-2227
Biological Safety (Matthew.Philpott@oregonstate.edu) 541-737-4557
Occupational Safety (Michael.Sreniawski@oregonstate.edu) 541-737-1288
Contact Information