Safety in the Workplace

Lone Star College System complies with the requirements of the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act.  A copy of Lone Star College System’s annual security report is available upon request by contacting the office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Education, Student & Community Development. The information in the report is also available on the District website at http://www.lonestar.edu/. This report includes statistics for the most recent three-year period concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Lone Star College System, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the District colleges.  The report also includes information regarding the law enforcement authority of the campus police, policies concerning campus security such as crime prevention, alcohol and drug use, sexual assault, state sex offender registry and reporting of any crimes which may occur on a District campus. 

Emergency Procedures
Detailed emergency procedures are available in the Safety Procedures Manual.  For major medical and fire emergencies dial 9-911.  Follow with a call to the College Police Department.

The Information Center/Switchboard will remain open during hours of operation for the College and serves as a funnel for emergency calls and situations.  The Information Center Clerk/Receptionist contacts the appropriate authorities on and off-campus to handle the emergency.

Safety and Security
The District expects that all employees will share the responsibility for safety and security of themselves, fellow employees, students, guests, and District property.  It is important that all members of the District cooperate with written and verbal guidelines set by safety and security personnel as well as police officials.  In addition, all employees are expected to comply with safety practices relating to their work.  Employees should follow the safety guidelines provided by the district.  The following are safety guidelines for all employees.

• Attend all safety meeting as requested by department or System Office Office;
• Observe all safety rules;
• Do not rush; allow proper time to complete the project;
• Ask for assistance when lifting or moving heavy objects;
• Keep work areas orderly and clean;
• Only trained personnel should operate equipment;
• Stay clear of worksites; and
• Participate and obey all fire and emergency training drills.

For further details, especially with projects, which require special training, chemicals, installation of heavy or unusual equipment, construction, electrical, or projects, which need extra supervision, refer to the safety manual for policy, procedure, and related responsibilities.

The District seeks to minimize the risks to employees and expects each employee to be responsible in:

• Encouraging safety and security practices among peers;
• Reporting crimes and suspicious situations to the on-site Police Department;
• Reporting on-the-job accidents in a timely manner to the Supervisor and completing appropriate paperwork.  The Supervisor then reports it to the HRM and System Office Risk Management; and
• Providing testimony, as necessary, in the event the District or public officials conduct an investigation or a situation involves legal action.

Commitment to preventing accidents is the key to a safe working environment.  Accidents represent loss to all employees of the District.  The loss translates to higher operating cost, human suffering, lost productivity, and lowered morale.

Supervising Safety and Security Situations

• All supervisors should be familiar with the Safety Awareness Handbook prepared by the Safety Committee and review these procedures with employees twice a year;
• All Supervisors should make a copy of the Safety Awareness Handbook available in the work area and insure that employees working non-traditional hours have access to the Handbook as well;
• Detailed instruction for handling specific accidents, injuries, and emergencies are outlined in the Safety Awareness Handbook.  Any Supervisor who witnesses an accident or security risk will notify the on-site Police Department immediately but stay at the scene of the accident or security risk unless the supervisor feels personally threatened;
• Any Supervisor who has a concern that workplace violence is a possible event should notify first the on-site Police Department and then the location Human Resource Manager.  The Supervisor should not make a judgment call as to the likelihood of the event but notify these departments and they will determine whether observation and/or investigation are recommended;
• Any employee who has an accident or incurs an injury on the job should report the accident to their Supervisor and the campus HRM immediately.  Any Supervisor who is aware of such an event should assist the employee in reporting the accident;
• Since all accidents are to be reported, supervisors do not need to make a judgment call as to whether a worker’s compensation claim is appropriate.  Employees will be instructed to complete the necessary forms to report the claim to the insurance carrier;
• Any supervisor or employee who is aware that another employee, guest, visitor, or student clearly requires medical attention should call 9-911 and the on-site Police Department immediately and remain with the person in need;
• Supervisors and employees are not to diagnose or treat an injured person.  If trained, an employee may administer C.P.R. or provide defibrillation emergency medical care.  Supervisors and employees may not move the ill or injured person; efforts may be made to provide privacy, warmth, and comfort for the injured person until emergency services arrive.  Supervisors and employees rendering aid in good faith will be protected from any litigation arising out of the aid they have rendered.

Loss or Damage on Campus Property
Students/employees experiencing loss or damage on campus property, including accidents in campus parking lots, should notify the on-site Police Department who will investigate the accident/incident, take appropriate action, and complete all necessary paperwork.  If the accident involves an injury, the above Safety and Security procedures will be followed.

Fire Alarms
In the event that the fire alarm sounds, the on-site Police Department should be notified of the alarm location and given all other pertinent information.  Students, faculty and staff should follow evacuation procedures as posted on all classroom bulletin boards.

Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, the Location Executive Officer (LEO) or designee may cancel all or some of the college classes.  Generally, such decisions will be made between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. for day classes and by 3 p.m. for evening classes.  When off-campus facilities are closed for inclement weather, the college classes at those sites will also be canceled.  The closing announcement will be made on the following radio/television stations:

Television Stations:
KPRC CHANNEL 2
KHOU CHANNEL 11
KTRK CHANNEL 13
KRIV CHANNEL 26
KNWS CHANNEL 51

Radio Stations:
FM:
KODA (99.1 FM)
KHMX (96.5 FM)
KLOL (101. FM)
KRBE (104.1 FM)

AM:
KTRH (740 AM)
KSEV/KPRC (700 AM/950 AM)
KILT (100 FM/610AM)

Information can also be found at: http://www.school-closings.net/