10-3 Safety and Security
10.3a General Emergency Procedures
United States University has developed guidelines to help maintain a secure workplace. Be aware of persons loitering for no apparent reason in parking areas, walkways, entrances and exits, and service areas. Please report any suspicious persons or activities to the Human Resources Department, Security Personnel, or a senior leadership team member.
Secure your desk or office at the end of the day. When called away from your work area for an extended length of time, do not leave valuable and/or personal articles in or around your work station that may be accessible. The security of facilities and the welfare of our Employees depend upon the alertness and sensitivity of every individual to potential security risks. You should immediately notify your Supervisor when unknown persons are acting suspiciously in or around the facilities or when keys or identification badges are missing.
The University is committed to making every reasonable effort to ensure a safe and healthful working environment for all Faculty. University representatives are responsible for administering the safety program and for ensuring that the University complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
It is a condition of employment where each Faculty member will safely and healthfully conduct his or her work and follow all policies and procedures. Faculty are required to promptly abide by the provision to promptly correct hazardous conditions or inform the person in charge of the injury and illness prevention program (Facilities Office) of any hazards.
The Faculty member is responsible for using all safety equipment designated for the job and maintaining a safe and secure work environment.
All Faculty members need to be on the alert for hazardous conditions. If the Faculty member notices unsafe acts or conditions either on the job or elsewhere on campus, they should report them immediately to the department representative.
For emergency help on the United States University campus, Faculty should call ext. 2000 for campus security. In case of fire, sudden illness, or an accident of a serious nature where paramedic treatment is needed, call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance, which will notify Campus Security. The Faculty member must notify campus security of the proper location to save time by meeting the emergency vehicles at the entrances to USU to direct them to the appropriate location.
10.3b Fire and Other Emergency Evacuation Plan
Know your safety, fire, and evacuation plans. Our policy is to minimize any danger to life, property, and job security arising from the effects of natural and human-made disasters. Our University has its Fire and Emergency Evacuation Plan. If you have any questions, please discuss them with your Supervisor, a Human Resources Representative, or any senior leadership team member.
Know the location of all fire extinguishers on your floor so that they can be promptly and effectively accessed in the event of a small fire that can be easily contained.
Should the need arise to evacuate the building, make sure you know where the nearest emergency exits are located. Become familiar with the instructions posted in your work area concerning what to do in case of an emergency. If your work requires you to be in other departments, know and follow the exit rules that apply there unless you have emergency duties elsewhere.
When leaving the building, please attempt to go to a clear area away from the building. Do not obstruct the responding firefighters or other emergency vehicles and their equipment. You will receive instructions when it is safe to return to the building.
When a fire or disaster strikes a building, special care must be taken to help those who need assistance in exiting the building.
10.3c Violence Prevention
Given the increasing violence in society in general and in compliance with state law, USU is committed to dealing with any violence that may occur on its premises and adopting measures to ensure its Faculty members' safety. Faculty members are urged to report all threats of violence, including suspicious individuals or activities, as soon as possible to his or her supervisor or to another supervisor. Be as specific as possible.
In cases of immediate perceived danger, such as a violent commotion nearby, the employee should dial ext. 2000, Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security, immediately or use the emergency phones located throughout campus. If a violent act toward a Faculty member is considered imminent, call 9-1-1 for outside assistance, as well and inform Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security so that they can direct and assist the emergency vehicles. For those Faculty members who work at night, whistles are available in the Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security Office. In addition, Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security will provide a secure presence while walking to the Faculty member‘s automobile, if requested.
“Indirect” violence should also be reported to Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security. Examples of indirect violence can include but are not limited to extreme shouting, abusive or threatening gestures, throwing items toward another person, statements or general written or verbal threats, or “hate” mail, including through electronic means, postal service, or other means.
Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security will investigate all claims immediately. In cases of dispute if a Faculty member is involved, or if campus-wide action needs to be taken, Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security will inform other offices, including the Human Resources Office. A team from these offices will continue investigating and deciding appropriate action to be taken, including obtaining restricting orders or other actions. In some cases, outside authorities may be called in. Faculty members are encouraged to cooperate fully with any University security, law enforcement, and medical personnel that responds to a call for help. The University will not allow any retaliatory acts against any faculty who use this procedure.
If a violent act toward a Faculty member is considered imminent, call 9-1-1 for outside assistance immediately or use the emergency phones located throughout campus as well and inform Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security so that they can direct and assist the emergency vehicles. For those Faculty members who work at night, whistles are available in the Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security Office. In addition, Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security will provide a secure presence while walking to the Faculty member‘s automobile, if requested.
“Indirect” violence should also be reported to Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security. Examples of indirect violence can include but are not limited to, extreme shouting, abusive or threatening gestures, throwing items toward another person, statements or general written or verbal threats, or “hate” mail, including through electronic means, postal service, or other means.
Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security will investigate all claims immediately. If a Faculty member is involved in cases of dispute, or if campus-wide action needs to be taken, Campus Facility Personnel/Campus Security will inform other offices, including the Human Resources Office. A team from these offices will continue investigating and deciding appropriate action to be taken, including obtaining restricting orders or other actions. In some cases, outside authorities may be called in. Faculty members are encouraged to cooperate fully with any University security, law enforcement, and medical personnel that responds to a call for help. The University will not allow any retaliatory acts against any faculty who use this procedure.