The Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department considers no aspect of its operation or administration more important than the health and safety of its employees, students and visitors. This is achieved by maintaining safe and healthy working conditions and by fostering a culture focused on awareness, open communication, safety education and supervision, and safe working methods. Our goal is to have zero work related injuries and illnesses.
Safety is the responsibility of every employee, and everyone participates in activities to ensure a safe work environment. The ABE Department Head and Safety Committee are responsible for leadership of the overall safety effort and for providing all resources which are necessary for an effective program of accident prevention. Supervisors are responsible for maintaining safe work conditions within their areas and for ensuring that all operations are carried out with the utmost regard for safety. Department laboratory principle investigators (PIs) are responsible for the safe operation of their laboratories and for ensuring staff and students under their supervision receive the training needed for the safe use of their facilities. Each employee is responsible for consistently following all established safety procedures, for promptly reporting potential hazards, and for fostering a proactive culture focused on the safe and responsible use of ABE facilities.
Maintaining a safe work environment is a top priority of the ABE Department and must be a personal goal of every employee. The ABE Department will work with Environmental Health and Safety, the Office of Physical Plant, and any other organization to implement an up-to-date Integrated Safety Plan and achieve its goal of zero work related injuries and illnesses.
