Gettysburg College Safety Committee Charge:
The Gettysburg College Safety Committee is committed to fostering and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all employees, students, and visitors across the campus community. Safety is a collective responsibility. Our goal is to create a culture of proactive risk management that protects the well-being of individuals and the physical assets of the institution.
Our core mission is to develop, implement, and continuously improve a comprehensive safety program that:
- Evaluates and helps to mitigate safety hazards across campus.
- Promotes a culture of safety awareness, engagement, and shared responsibility.
- Promotes compliance with all federal, state, and local safety regulations.
- Evaluates and improves safety policies, practices, and resources.
Committee Engagement and Collaboration:
The Safety Committee fosters a culture of continuous improvement through active collaboration with all members of the campus community. By engaging faculty, staff, and students in safety initiatives, we aim to build a shared commitment to a safe and supportive campus environment.
The Safety Committee plays a pivotal role in advancing the College’s mission of providing a safe and healthy learning and working environment.
Scope of Responsibilities:
- Hazard Review, Corrective Action, and Risk Assessment:
- Evaluate hazards on campus, including those reported by Campus Safety, Facilities, and other campus partners following hazard assessments or incident reports.
- Recommend corrective actions to address identified hazards, including modifications to policies, procedures, equipment, or training protocols to prevent recurrence.
- Monitor the implementation of corrective actions and assess their effectiveness in mitigating risks.
- Collaborate with relevant departments (e.g., Facilities, Campus Safety, etc.) to address identified hazards promptly.
- Accident and Illness Trend Analysis:
- Review accident, injury, and illness reports to identify trends and patterns, determining root causes to prevent future incidents.
- Collaborate with department leaders to address underlying issues contributing to repeated incidents.
- Safety Awareness and Education:
- Promote safety awareness through training programs, workshops, and campus-wide communication efforts (e.g., safety bulletins, online resources, and safety events).
- Advocate for a culture of safety by encouraging proactive involvement of students, staff, and faculty in identifying and addressing safety concerns.
- Provide specialized safety training tailored to departments or high-risk areas (e.g., laboratories, athletic facilities, maintenance crews).
- Regulatory Compliance and Safety Program Implementation:
- Evaluate the implementation of mandatory safety programs and recommend adjustments to maintain compliance with evolving standards.
- Feedback and Engagement:
- Actively solicit feedback and suggestions from staff, faculty, and departments regarding safety concerns, improvements, and ideas for new safety initiatives.
- Foster an environment of open communication where safety concerns can be addressed without hesitation.
- Review safety-related proposals, complaints, and suggestions.
Membership:
The Safety Committee is comprised of key representatives from various campus departments, each bringing their expertise and perspective to the safety program. Members include:
- Executive Director of Human Resources
- Executive Director of Campus Safety
- Director of Risk Management
- Director of Operations
- Director of Academic Operations, Finance, and Communications
- Executive Director of Auxiliary Services
- Chemical Hygiene Officer
- Associate Director of Human Resources
- Consultant from Waste Strategies (Environmental and Hazardous Waste Oversight)