Safety Tips from I-Safety
Spotlight Tips of the Week
Weather during the winter and spring months can lead to water damage to buildings and the contents inside. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Risk and Facilities urge all university locations to inspect property regularly and actively look for ways to prevent water intrusions and damage. We encourage reporting of large snow loads, frost heaves, freezing of pipes and cracks or fissures that drain snow melt into unwanted areas.
Moscow area: If you notice any of these issues on the Moscow campus, please report your concerns immediately to Facilities 208-885-6246 so that we can work to prevent loss of infrastructure and resources in a timely manner. A water leak is an emergency — do not rely on voicemail. If a loss occurs during regular business hours, contact Facilities at 208-885-6246 immediately. Outside of regular working hours, contact Security at 208-885-7233 (SAFE).
Outside of Moscow area: Report water intrusions to Risk at 208-885-7177 so an adjustor can be assigned. Report situations that could lead to damaged structures to your college or division leadership for mitigation to prevent water intrusions from occurring.
When a water intrusion is reported to either Facilities or Security, notice is also sent to EHS and to Risk. Water should be dried out within 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Concern about indoor exposure to mold has been increasing as the public becomes aware that exposure to mold can cause health effects and symptoms. EHS will monitor the drying operations, conduct surveys and monitor the moisture percentage in the affected areas. Risk will assist the unit with property claims management.
What to watch for and report:
- Building exteriors: signs of heavy snow load or ice damming. Make sure drains are free of snow/ice and operable.
- Building interiors: signs of sagging ceiling components, doors and windows that do not open or close properly, wet carpet or stained ceiling tiles, cracks in walls or masonry and leaks.
- Noise: popping, cracking or creaking noises can indicate imminent trouble, such as structural collapse.
What you can do to help:
- Anticipate and take steps to prevent water from entering unwanted areas.
- Elevate contents (e.g., records, equipment) that may be subject to damage from backup of drains or water from other sources.
Some property insurance coverage notes:
- Deductibles are the responsibility of the department.
- Policy is intended to apply to "sudden and accidental" losses - exclusions include "wear and tear" and continuous or repeated water intrusion over 14 days or more.
If you have inquiries about ways to help prevent water intrusions and damage, contact EHS 208-885-6524.
U of I Facilities is seeking faculty, staff and student help in reducing slippery, icy areas on campus - by using the "Sand Can" - which means scooping and spreading sand on slippery pavement areas.
A Sand Can is a garbage can or bucket - labeled "SAND" on top - that has sand and a scoop inside. Currently, over 30 sand cans/buckets are located across the Moscow campus - inside or outside building entrances where slick conditions exist.
Every winter, the Facilities Snow and Ice Prevention Team applies hundreds of tons of rock and sand around campus to increase traction. But with changing weather and ground conditions, new slick spots surface quickly. Please help to reduce the chance of a fellow Vandal tripping, slipping or even falling by taking a minute to spread sand on a discovered slick surface.
Scoop, Spread and Shut.
Sand Cans and buckets are for the entire U of I community to use. No technical skill or training is required.
- Take a scoop of sand out of the can or bucket; throw or spread the sand on the slick surface.
- Remember to look out for people around you when applying the sand.
- Return the scoop to the can/bucket and shut the lid when done.
If you see a bucket out of sand, want to request a Sand Can or notice a hazard on campus, please contact Facilities at 208-885-6246, facilities@uidaho.edu or fill out an online Safety Concern form.
Thank you for your interest in participating in the traction device program. To be eligible, you must be a university faculty or staff member covered by the workers compensation program. Additionally, Auxiliary Services and Facilities have their own programs and are not covered by this one. The traction devices will be provided on a first come first served basis. They may be picked up in person by faculty and staff free of charge at Environmental Health and Safety (west campus). Employees are asked to bring their VandalCard and a signed Traction Device Checkout Form.
U of I faculty, staff and students may also purchase traction pullovers locally from a number of vendors in a variety of styles and sizes. Traction pullovers may be purchased by departments for use on-the-job directly from U of I Facilities Shop Stores. To order from Shop Stores, or for additional information, please call 208-885-7555.
Please note: This equipment is designed and intended for exterior use only and not to be worn inside buildings on hard floor surfaces.
For additional information about this program, contact 208-885-6524 or safety@uidaho.edu.
Culture of Questioning
Questioning certain practices with safety in mind is an essential attitude to keep you and the rest of the Vandal family safe. Questioning challenges the complacency that grows in familiar situations and drives change. Questioning safety practices, or perhaps a lack thereof, is vital to developing a culture of safety at the University of Idaho. The goal is for everyone to return home at the end of every day just as healthy as when they arrived on campus.
Safety issues are often recognized but go unreported because a person doesn't know whom to contact or assumes that someone else is already taking care of it. At U of I, we want everyone to challenge these assumptions, question the situation and report the issues. The Report a Safety Concern form was created just for this purpose. It allows for anonymous reporting if you choose, as well as the option to upload an image of the safety problem when appropriate. It is available for anyone to use, and concerns will be directed to the proper campus unit to correct the problem.
Students and employees are the eyes and ears of the community, and your help is essential. Get involved in the safety training opportunities available to you, ask questions if you have a concern about a procedure, take part in safety inspections and report issues right away - issues cannot be corrected if no one knows about them. Timely questioning and reporting can prevent accidents and near misses. If an accident or near miss does occur, report this as well; investigating the reason will help avoid another injury.
As a supervisor, you have additional influence - lead by example and ensure safety is a core value in your team's activities. You are encouraged to do workplace inspections, ensure your employees are current on their safety training, talk regularly with your employees and discuss accident investigation reports with them and the U of I EHS staff. EHS has many resources available for you and the EHS staff can assist all supervisors in their safety efforts.
Our Vandal culture is how we think and act in all our activities. Avoiding complacency and continuously challenging existing conditions that might pose a safety risk allows us as a community to identify discrepancies and take appropriate actions before an accident or near miss occurs. Put safety first and we can achieve the safest possible working and learning environment for our Vandal family.