SUBJECT:  Employee Safety Regulations

A new year affords us the opportunity to re-affirm our commitment to preserving the safety of UCSD employees, students, patients, and visitors. Your cooperation and support of the safety programs implemented at UCSD are critical if we are to succeed as a premier research university and teaching hospital.

A prime example of this commitment is implementation of an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), which is required in all departments regardless of the type of work performed. Key components of this program are workplace inspections, hazard abatement, employee safety training, and frequent methods of communicating safety to affected employees. Please confirm IIPP's are in place in all departments under your direction.

A second example, the Laboratory Safety Plan (LSP) applies to laboratory operations where hazardous materials are used. Key components of this plan include all items in the IIPP plus emergency action plans, and training on the use and disposal of hazardous materials/equipment used (chemical, biological, radiological, etc.) for all affected employees and students. Please confirm a LSP is in place in all laboratory operations under your direction.

A sobering reminder of these obligations is the potential for financial penalties when non-compliance is identified by external regulatory agencies:

--Non-serious violations can receive fines up to $7,000 per violation.
--Serious violations can receive fines up to $25,000 per violation.
--Willful or repeat violations can receive fines between $5,000-$70,000.

The Office of Environment, Health and Safety is available for consultation and evaluation of safety programs. Detailed information is available on the EH&S web site at http://www-ehs.ucsd.edu. Please contact Martha Mc Dougall at extension 43659 or mcdougallm@ucsd.edu if you need further information.

                                                Robert C. Dynes
                                                Chancellor