CAHNRS > TFREC Admin > Safety

Safety

(contact: Jerry Moreland, jmoreland@wsu.edu)

WSU-TFREC is committed to protecting human health, safety, and the environment. The Primary purpose of the TFREC safety program is to reduce the chance of injury or illness of employees and visitors through the communication of safety information and through the reduction of safety hazards. Employees are expected to use good judgment when doing their work and to follow safety policies and procedures established by WSU ad TFREC.

Safety Committee Members for 2022:

Faculty Reps

Staff/Technician Reps

Postdoc/Temp Faculty Reps

Student Reps

Weather Related Safety Reminders

Safety Links

TFREC Safety Training

With the loss of the old TFREC Safety website, we had to develop a new set of webpages to handle all of that content. This includes mandatory training material and videos for new and returning Center employees. Mandatory training for all employees is included in New Employee Orientation. Additional safety training may also be required depending on your job responsibilities. The additional training can be found on the Safety Training Videos index page.

Safety Training Available Through SkillSoft

The Environmental Health and Safety training webpage helps direct users to their training. Employees must be at WSU for at least two weeks before you can access the EHS training materials (for now at least). Laboratory personnel should take the following training modules from the higher education package:

  • Analyzing Chemical Hazards
  • Analyzing Physical Hazards
  • Developing and Using Controls
  • Working Safely
  • Risk Assessment
  • PPE – Eye and Face Protection
  • PPE – Hand Protection

If anyone works with biological or radiological hazards, they should take those modules as well. The advantage of taking training via Skillsoft is that it is tracked so there will be a record of completed training.

Accident/Injury Reporting

Report all workplace injuries to your Supervisor immediately and seek medical treatment if needed. Timing is everything: WSU policy requires that all (major and minor) injuries be reported within twenty-four hours. Prompt reporting eliminates delays in benefits to employees.  For injuries that occur over the weekend or after regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm), reports should be completed and sent to WSU HRS office the next regular working day after the accident.  Major incidents resulting in serious injury (e.g. fracture or amputation), inpatient hospitalization or death are to be reported immediately. (See SPPM 2.24.1) 

Online Incident report – To begin a report click the “Online Incident Report” link to the left. After completing this form please print and give (or email) a copy to the Plant Services Manager (Jerry Moreland), the Director (Chad Kruger), and Office Manager (Darla Ewald).

Supervisor’s Accident Investigation Report (pdf) – Complete if:

  • The employee receives medical treatment.
  • The employee is unable to work the next full of subsequent shift(s) as a result of an injury or illness.
  • Events and conditions involving a near miss or minor accident indicate the most likely injury or illness would have been serious.

After completing this form please print and give (or email) a copy to the Plant Services Manager (Jerry Moreland), the Director (Chad Kruger), and Office Manager (Darla Ewald).

Witness/Injured Person Statement (pdf)
Hazard Notification (pdf

Reporting a Vehicle Accident Involving a State Driver

If you are involved in an accident in a state vehicle, you must complete the online State Driver Vehicle Collision Report within 48 hours of the incident.

If the vehicle is covered by VLR insurance through WSU, email the following to riskmanagement@wsu.edu:

  1. Photos of the vehicle;
  2. Two estimates from reputable auto repair facilities;
  3. Any police report(s);
  4. Name and phone numbers of any individuals that required medical attention as a result of the accident..

Air Quality Issues

  • Washington State Department of Ecology Air Monitoring Network
  • AirNow (EPA, nationwide)
  • WSU’s air quality forecasting tool
  • NEW smoke rule: This rule applies to employees working outside for more than 1 hour per shift. This rule does not apply to employees working outside for an hour or less per shift. It does not apply to employees in vehicles with filtered cabin air or does it apply to wildland firefighters. WAC 296-62-085 Wildfire Smoke (pdf)
    • NOTE: The Director and Plant Services Manager will check the Dept of Ecology’s air monitoring network for the Wenatchee station and will alert programs if critical thresholds are surpassed. If you have employees working off site, it is the responsibility of the supervisor to monitor air quality.
    • MASKS: We have a limited number of KN95 masks on site for use in smoky conditions. Supervisors are asked to determine how many their program needs. Make a request to your supervisor for a mask. This is voluntary, not a requirement!