4.4.4: LABORATORY SAFETY POLICY
Mountain Empire Community College recognizes that the safety of its students and employees on College property, or when engaged in College-authorized functions, is a fundamental responsibility. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to exercise proper care in using any apparatus, and in moving from one area to another.
The College further recognizes and is committed to providing a safe environment in the operation of all courses and College functions. Through the combined efforts of the Board, the administration, the faculty, staff, and students, the College’s Safety Program provides an ongoing process to promote and reinforce safety regulations. As described in MECC’s Laboratory Safety Policy Handbook, the objectives of the program are as follows:
4.4.5: HIGH RISK INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM SAFETY OBJECTIVES
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To orient and instruct all students in proper standards of conduct and to ensure compliance with these standards;
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To provide clean, organized labs and properly displayed safety signage as appropriate;
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To include safety rules and stress the importance of safety in the course syllabus;
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To orient and instruct all students to proper use and location of lab-safety equipment;
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To instruct all students in fire drill and emergency evacuation procedures from labs/classrooms and buildings;
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To instruct and have students demonstrate the proper use of specific tools and equipment in the lab prior to use;
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To assess with a written and performance test a student’s knowledge of safety practices and procedures before allowing the student to work in the lab;
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To instruct all students in proper personal safety habits and implement specific practices and precautions required for safe operation within each separate course;
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To instruct all students in proper safety operations of specific machinery to enable them to identify potentially hazardous conditions of such machinery;
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To conduct periodic inspections and maintenance of facilities, tools, machines, equipment, and personal protective devices;
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To provide emergency procedures to be followed in the event of an accident involving a student, faculty member, or any other individual;
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To identify and properly label hazardous work areas;
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To instruct students in the safe handling and use of chemicals related to their respective trade areas;
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To instruct students in the fundamentals of the Virginia Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act as related to their respective trade areas;
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To instruct students in the fundamental requirements and standards of the Environmental Protection Agency as related to their respective trade areas; and
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To utilize advisory councils to review safety plans to ensure currency with industry standards.