Safety
The Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHS) takes a multidisciplinary approach to occupational safety to protect the welfare of people at work, and the wide variety of occupations on campus.
The Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHS) takes a multidisciplinary approach to occupational safety to protect the welfare of people at work, and the wide variety of occupations on campus.
Tent permits are required whenever there is a membrane structure that is greater than 400 sq. ft., a tent (with sides) that is greater than 800 sq. ft, or a tent (without sides) that is greater than 1800 sq. ft. This form ensures that the correct safety measures are taken prior to tent setup. Tent permit applications must be submitted at least 30 days, but no more than 180 days, prior to the event setup date.
For events requiring tent setups, please fill out a Tent Permit Application form
Please note: If your tent/membrane structure falls into any of the previously stated categories, a permit application must be submitted to the North Carolina State Construction Office (NCSCO). This Central Piedmont form does not replace the official NCSCO permit process. The link to that application is located on the NC Department of Administration Tent Permit website.
A copy of the NCSCO permit must be submitted with this application. For more information on the tent permit process, email Environmental Health and Safety
The Hot Work permitting system ensures that any individual involved in construction, repair, or maintenance work at Central Piedmont is aware of the hazards that can be presented during hot work activities, and has taken the correct control measures to minimize the risk. Hot Work is defined as cutting, welding, soldering, and brazing operations for construction/demolition maintenance/repair activities that involve the use of portable gas or arc welding equipment.
For more information, refer to the Hot Work Requirements guideline.
To submit a Hot Work Permit request, fill out the Hot Work Permit form and email it to Environmental Health and Safety.
The purpose of the Lockout / Tagout Program is to prevent the release of hazardous energy during any maintenance or servicing of dangerous machinery, equipment or electrical circuits. The program describes measures that must be taken to ensure that the system has been properly shut off and is unable to be started up until any service or maintenance is completed. An unexpected start-up can cause a release of stored energy which could result in serious injuries to employees.
Prior to any maintenance or servicing on any equipment, machinery, or electrical circuits please read the Central Piedmont Lockout / Tagout Program guide
For more information on this program, email Environmental Health and Safety.
According to OSHA, a permit-required confined space (permit space) has one or more of the following:
Lock-Out Tag-Out (29 CFR 1910.147):
The control of hazardous energy, known as lockout / tagout, is intended to prevent injuries during work involving repairs, replacements, or modifications to machines or equipment. Lockout / tagout procedures must be followed when service and maintenance activities require an employee to remove or bypass a guard or other safety device. Lock-out tag-out procedures must also be followed when service and maintenance activities require an employee to place any part of their body into a machine's point of operation or in a danger zone associated with a machine's operation cycle.
Electrical safety information:
In case of a fire emergency, contact College Security Services (6911) at the appropriate location immediately! Security will then contact the Fire Department or Fire Marshal's Office. Employees are not required to fight fires and should evacuate the building immediately in the event of a fire. Employees may use fire extinguishers to fight small fires only if they have been trained in the proper use of a fire extinguisher and are confident in their ability to cope with the hazards of a fire. In such cases, fire fighting efforts must be terminated when it becomes obvious that there is danger or harm from smoke, heat, or flames.
If a fire is discovered, activate the nearest fire alarm and contact Security immediately. From any campus phone, dial 6911. If the fire alarm does not work, or the building is not equipped with one, dial 911 and notify all occupants verbally of the emergency and the need to evacuate.
Evacuate via the nearest stairwell or street/grade level exit. Hazardous equipment or processes should be shut down before evacuating unless doing so presents a greater hazard. Remember to close all doors as leaving, if conditions permit. After you have left the building, go to the predesignated assembly point and remain there. Remain at least 300 feet away from the building. At the assembly point, supervisors should account for personnel and report any that are unaccounted for to Security and the Fire Department. During an emergency, students and visitors who may not be familiar with this plan must be informed of the requirement to evacuate. Special attention should also be given to persons with disabilities, especially those who are visitors or unfamiliar with the building.
Online training is available; in-person training is coordinated with the Fire Department and/or Fire Marshal's Office. Each department is responsible for ensuring its employees are trained in fire safety and fire extinguisher use. Additional training is necessary when an employee's required actions under the Emergency Evacuation Plan change, or when there are changes to the plan. Additional training assistance is available from Environmental Health and Safety.
The use of fire extinguishers must conform to the following guidelines which are specified by the OSHA standard (29 CFR1910.157):
OSHA forklift safety information
All employees that drive forklifts at the college are required to complete forklift safety training prior to operating a forklift. Training includes discussion of steering, capacity, stability, refueling, controls, types of loads, ramps, surface conditions, hazardous locations, load manipulation, etc. Hands-on driving demonstrations and evaluation of each operator's performance will be included. This training is required prior to operating a forklift, to be repeated every three years, with annual evaluations.
OSHA ladder safety information
Working on and around stairways and ladders is hazardous. Stairways and ladders are major sources of injuries and fatalities among construction workers for example, and many of the injuries are serious enough to require time off the job. OSHA rules apply to all stairways and ladders used in construction, alteration, repair, painting, decorating, and demolition of worksites covered by OSHA's construction safety and health standards.
Protect yourself with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job. Each department is responsible for providing this equipment to each employee. All employees have the right and obligation to request proper personal protective equipment as well as the right and obligation to refuse to do a task, if proper safety equipment and training is not available or provided.
Personal protective equipment acts as a barrier between you and potentially hazardous chemicals, machines, tools, and processes. To be effective, personal protective equipment must be carefully selected to protect against each particular hazard you may face. When you use the right personal protective equipment and use it properly, you greatly reduce the risk of job-related injury and illness.
The Respiratory Protection program applies to all Central Piedmont supervisors and associates who work in areas with exposure levels that require the use of a respirator or where an associate voluntarily uses a comfort type mask. This policy and procedure is written in accordance with the requirements of the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134 and guidelines presented by the ANSI and AIHA.
Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15 percent of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities. Always be aware of your surroundings: uneven sidewalks, wet floors, items out of place, etc.
Many employees drive personal vehicles and/or College vehicles on a daily basis. It is the belief of Environmental Health and Safety that many accidents can be prevented. Defensive Driving courses are taught periodically to increase awareness of driving hazards. Review the following driver safety tips.