Office of Safety

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The Importance of Wearing a Lab Coat: A Critical Safety Measure

Categories: Faculty, Staff, Students

Laboratory safety is a non-negotiable aspect of scientific research and experimentation. One of the most essential, yet sometimes overlooked, protective measures is wearing a properly fitted lab coat. While lab coats alone do not make a laboratory environment safe, they serve as a critical barrier between hazardous materials and the wearer’s skin and clothing. A Tragic Reminder: […]

Combustible Dust Explosions

Categories: Faculty, Staff, Students

Per OSHA, combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air in certain conditions. A dust explosion can be catastrophic and cause employee deaths, injuries, and destruction of entire buildings. In many combustible dust incidents, employers and employees were unaware that a hazard even existed. Industries at Risk Combustible dust […]

Wildfire smoke and your health

Categories: Faculty, Staff, Students

During heavy smoke conditions, it’s extremely important that you take actions to protect your health. Check local air conditions using the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), and special air quality statements or air quality advisories to determine how the smoke is impacting our area. There’s no known safe level of exposure for some of these […]

Winter Weather

Categories: Faculty, Public, Staff, Students

Winter weather in North Dakota can bring cold temperatures. Try to stay indoors during extremely cold weather – make any trips outside as brief as possible and remember these tips below to protect your health and safety. Dress warmly and stay dry by wearing:  a hat a scarf or knit mask to cover face and […]

Fire Prevention Week 2024

Categories: Faculty, Public, Staff, Students

This is the start of Fire Prevention Week, which is driven and promoted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); an authority on all things related to fire safety. The NFPA plays an important role in leading the way on best practices for fire prevention and safety. Their recommendations are observed by the University of […]

Centrally funded hazardous waste disposal!

Categories: Faculty, Staff

Introducing the creation of the Hazardous waste disposal funded centrally in the safety office for the University of North Dakota! One of the main reasons why solid, hazardous, and chemical waste management is neglected on college campuses is the prioritizing the funding for disposable vs other departmental expenses. As the world becomes more conscious of […]

June is National Safety Month-Week 4

Categories: Faculty, Staff

Week 4:  Slips, Trips, and Falls NIOSH: Falls are a hazard found in many work settings. A fall can occur while walking on a level surface, while climbing a ladder to change a light fixture, or as a result of a complex series of events affecting an ironworker 80 feet above the ground. The construction […]

Recognizing and preventing work-related injuries in colleges

Categories: Faculty, Staff

In 2021 there were 132 work-related fatalities in education, according to the National Safety Council. Although this does not seem like much, educators often consider a college campus a safe place of learning and growth. However, it is important to remember that higher education institutions are also workplaces. Just like any other workplace, accidents can […]

June is National Safety Month – Week 3

Categories: Faculty, Staff

Week 3:  Injury Prevention  NIOSH: Controlling exposures to occupational hazards is the fundamental method of protecting workers. A hierarchy of controls helps determine how to implement feasible and effective control solutions. One of the best ways to prevent and control occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities is to “design out” or minimize hazards and risks. NIOSH leads a national […]