Introduction
Public health and safety is of paramount importance at universities. Universities must ensure that their campus is free from health and safety hazards and that their students, faculty, and staff have access to a safe and healthy learning and working environment. This includes providing appropriate safety and health training, monitoring and controlling hazardous substances and activities, and protecting the environment, as well as developing and maintaining emergency procedures and policies. Universities must also ensure that their facilities and programs provide a safe and secure environment for their students, faculty, and staff. Furthermore, universities need to take active steps to promote the health of their students, faculty, and staff, such as providing adequate health services, physical activity and nutrition programs, and health education opportunities. By taking these steps, universities can help protect the health and safety of their students, faculty, and staff, as well as the wider campus community.
Public health and safety at universities is not just about providing a safe and healthy environment; it is also about encouraging students, faculty, and staff to take responsibility for their own health and safety. Universities should provide resources and training to help students, faculty, and staff to recognize and manage potential health and safety risks, and to encourage them to seek assistance if they experience any health or safety issues. Additionally, universities should also strive to create an environment which fosters respect for diversity and inclusivity, to ensure that everyone feels safe, accepted, and valued on campus. By taking these measures, universities can create an environment where everyone is able to learn, work, and live in a safe and healthy environment.
Public health and safety at universities is a shared responsibility between universities, students, faculty, and staff. Universities must set the standards for a safe and healthy environment and provide the resources and training needed to ensure that these standards are met. Students, faculty, and staff must also take responsibility for their own health and safety by being aware of potential hazards and risks, reporting any safety issues, and following safety practices. By working together, universities, students, faculty, and staff can create an environment where everyone can learn, work, and live in a safe and healthy environment.
Health and Safety Regulation at the Deanship of Student Affairs (DSA)
Staff members from DSA are available to provide individual assistance to students and handle any issues that affect their learning experience at AUM. They can communicate with parents, teachers, and other staff about the resources and support that are available and collaborate to create a plan for providing aid to students.
These instructions aim to promote the health and safety of the students, staff, and all other concerned parties that have an interaction with the DSA.
Health and Safety Rules
The DSA staff shall:
1. Exercise caution in all activities and providing facilities to protect the safety, health, and wellbeing of employees, pupils, and those affected.
2. Make sure necessary resources are accessible, if possible, to effectively manage health and safety risks.
3. Establish and maintain clear protocols to assign and accept health and safety obligations throughout the deanship.
4. Ensure the necessary systems and processes are in place to promote and engage in discussion of safety, health, and wellbeing.
5. Coordinate and refer to the competent authorities in case any events, conferences, cultural, medical or sports activities that occur in the university so all the members must follow the terms of Health Protocol.
6. Provide all the ways of health and safety awareness for all the entities in the university including Student’s Association, and Student’s Clubs.
7. Distribute awareness posters and brochures on campus.
8. Provide sufficient training and supervision for everyone to avoid hazards and to contribute to their own safety and health.
9. Adhere to Regulations No (15) of 2012, Regulations for Student Excursions at the American University of Madaba.
a. Risk assessments must be conducted prior to fieldwork activities or visits to third party premises, and the results of these assessments must be shared with those who will be participating.
b. Those in charge of watching over students who do fieldwork or go to other people's places of business must know about the type of activity and any possible health and safety risks.
c. When the university organizes any kind of transportation, whether, through a centralized resource or an individual who is responsible for the fieldwork activity or visit to an outside facility, they will make sure that: (i) all legal requirements are met regarding driving, the condition of the vehicle, and the amount of insurance coverage when the vehicle is used for university business; (ii) any vehicle that is hired is through the university's provider, and the driver is legally allowed to drive and is competent with the vehicle; or (iii) they use reliable transportation providers with the necessary insurance coverage.
10. Observe non-smoking in the offices at all times.
11. Make sure that the Deanship premises are appropriately lit.
12. Ensure the availability of safety conditions in the Deanship premises, which lie in the safety of floors, electrical connections, escape exits, fire extinguishers and first aid materials.
13. Adhere to public safety requirements when leaving the offices and sites as follows:
a. Ensure that doors and windows are closed
b. Make sure to turn off the lights before leaving the place
c. Disconnect the power supply from electrical appliances.
14. Maintain safety instructions in case of using stairs:
a. Keep stairs clean and dry.
b. The stairs must be straight, not sloping.
c. Ensure that there are no obstructions on the stairs.
d. Provision of appropriate walkways, entrances, and exits for people with special needs and the injured.
15. Maintenance and sterilize of the Deanship premises regularly.
16. Require Disease-Free certificate from the Ministry of Health for International Students as a condition for residency.
17. Ensure the availability of suitable lighting
18. Ensure that activities and workshops are conducted in moderate and appropriate temperature, as the optimum temperature is 24°C.
Responsibilities
The employee is liable for: | The supervisor is in charge of: |
1. Notifying of any emergency situation; 2. knowing their primary and secondary 3. Grasping these protocols; 4. Inquiring when any information is not understood or hazy; 5. Cognizant of the proper use of emergency evacuation apparatus; 6. Informing the manager of any special evacuation requirements. |
1. Giving personnel, students, and visitors information on how to respond in an emergency situation as well as training them; 2. Determining which employees might require assistance during evacuation; 3. Allowing employees to ask any questions; 4. Meeting with those who were evacuated to an area at least 300 feet away from the building in order to account for any missing staff, students, or visit 5. Notifying any missing colleagueors; |
Protocol Dealing with Evacuation Plan:
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Alert staff and occupants of the evacuation: As soon as an emergency is identified, alert staff and occupants of the evacuation. This can be done by setting off an alarm, making an announcement, or sending a text message.
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Determine evacuation route: Designate an evacuation route that is safe and accessible for all occupants to use.
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Instruct all staff to leave: Instruct occupants to move quickly and calmly to the nearest exit and not to use elevators.
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Assist those with disabilities: Assist individuals with physical and/or emotional disabilities, including those with mobility impairments, and those who require assistance.
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Account for occupants: Once outside, take a headcount of those who have evacuated and ensure that everyone is accounted for.
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Notify emergency personnel: Upon completion of the evacuation, notify local emergency personnel such as the fire department and police.
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Allow re-entry: Once the emergency has been resolved and it is deemed safe to return, allow occupants to re-enter the building.
People with Physical Impairments
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Make sure to inform your colleagues when you require help.
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Speak up about your special needs to your boss, evacuation coordinator, and other colleagues to make the evacuation process swift, efficient, and safe.
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Be proactive. Develop a plan before an emergency takes place and practice it. Document the alternatives.
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Once you're in an unknown building, quickly identify phones, exits, ramps, confined stairways (check the landings to assure they are spacious enough for wheelchairs), secure rooms, fire alarm pull stations, and fire extinguishers that may be beneficial.
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Do not take the elevator during a building evacuation unless explicitly instructed by the fire department.
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Be proactive and take initiative instead of waiting for someone else to make the first move.
If You Encounter a Suspicious Looking Person on Campus
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If you encounter a suspicious looking person on campus, it is important to stay safe and alert.
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Do not confront the person or put yourself in danger. Instead, contact campus security immediately.
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If you feel it is safe to do so, try to get a description of the person, including any clothing they are wearing and their direction of travel.
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Additionally, if you can safely take a photo or video of the person, that may be helpful for law.
Weather Emergencies
People should move to their assigned places of safety as quickly as they can, avoiding windows. Elevators shouldn't be used. If the power goes out during evacuation, the stairwells will be lit, helping staff to leave the building safely. Once you reach your designated spot, gather with your team. Your manager or emergency director will make sure nobody is left behind.
SEVERE WEATHER WATCH indicates that atmospheric conditions are conducive to severe weather development, such as tornados, high winds, and hail.
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING means that severe weather has already been sighted or reported in the local area.
Protocol dealing with severe weather:
• Report the emergency to your manager or the emergency evacuation coordinator.
• Find a safe place or an interior corridor to hide in.
• Stay well clear of windows.
• Gather with your work team.
• Report any missing staff to your emergency evacuation coordinator or supervisor.
• Wait for the all clear signal before attempting to return to your work area
• If you are on the top floor of a building when the severe weather alarm sounds: Move down to an interior corridor on the floor below
• If you are outside: Take shelter indoors immediately
Hazardous Material Spills/Gas Leaks
Definitions:
Small spills: Small spills are unintentional releases of hazardous material in quantities generally less than a Liter. They are not as serious as larger spills; yet still require appropriate action to ensure environmental and human safety.
Major spills: A major spill is an accidental release of hazardous or polluting materials into the environment, usually occurring on a large scale (over 1 Liter) over a large area. Major spills can include oil, chemical, and radioactive waste, and often result in lasting environmental damage.
Protocol dealing with hazardous materials spills:
In the event of small spills:
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Inform the supervisor and others in the area about the spill.
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Safety First: Ensure that the area is safe and that no one is in danger from the spill.
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Contain the spill: Take steps to contain the spill. This may involve using absorbent materials such as sand, sawdust, or cat litter, or using a spill kit.
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Use proper personal protective equipment appropriate for the spill agent.
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Clean up the spill: Once the spill is contained, it can be cleaned up. Use absorbent materials to soak up the liquid, and then dispose of it properly.
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Dispose of the materials: Dispose of the absorbent material that was used to clean up the spill, as well as any other materials that were contaminated with the spill considered as hazardous material.
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Clean the area: Clean the area where the spill occurred, if necessary (Use proper personal protective equipment appropriate for the spill agent).
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Monitor the area: Monitor the area where the spill occurred to make sure there are no residual effects.
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If you are injured, call 1800 or 1818 from any local telephone or 0777767160 and seek medical attention immediately.
In the event of a major spill or gas leak:
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Inform the supervisor and others in the area about the spill.
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Immediately evacuate the area and secure the area, sealing off any entrances or exits.
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Place warning signs and caution tape around the area.
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Alert the fire department, police, and any other emergency personnel.
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If possible, contain the spill or leak with absorbent materials.
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Shut off any sources of ignition and move any combustible materials away from the area.
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If necessary, call a hazardous material response team or call.
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Do not enter the spill area alone.
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Do not attempt to clean, neutralize, or disinfect major spills.
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Once the spill or leak is contained, begin cleanup operations.
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Dispose of any contaminated materials according to local regulations.
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Report the incident to the proper authorities.
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If you are injured, call 1800 or 1818 from any local telephone or 0777767160 and seek medical