Health and Safety

UCSB offers various additional services aimed at maintaining a safe environment and increasing students’ awareness and comfort. Students may sign up to receive campus alerts via the UCSB Alert System and request an escort from CSO Safety Escorts when biking or walking at night. The campus community also includes the fully staffed UCSB Police Department and the UCSB Paramedic Rescue unit.

• DCB Safety Practices and Policies

• University Safety Practices and Policies

• Procedures for Handling and Reporting Incidents

• Substance Abuse and Smoking Policies

Department Responsibilities

The Department is responsible for ensuring safe practices and working conditions for all departmental personnel. All incoming graduate students must attend the Laboratory Safety Training course offered by the Environmental Health and Safety Office during New Grad Academic Training. Additionally, every faculty advisor is responsible for ensuring specific safety training and practices with respect to research being conducted in the group. Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) describing the properties of various chemicals are available by request from Cabe Fletcher in the Graduate Storeroom or online.

Departmental First-Aid

First Aid cabinets are supplied by the Principal Investigator of each group and are located within the labs. Dr. Nikolai Evdokimov, Chemical Laboratory Safety Officer (CLSO), is the safety coordinator for the department and has information about first aid assistance. The Health and Safety Binder and Lab Operations Manual are available for review in the CLSO office (PSB-N 2660).

Hazard Reporting

Unsafe working conditions should be reported to your faculty advisor or Lisa Stamper for instructional labs.  Unsafe working conditions in any workspace should be reported to the CLSO, the MSO, or the Chairperson. Forms for reporting hazards or unsafe conditions (anonymously if desired) are available online.

Environmental Health & Safety

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is committed to promoting a safe and healthful environment for research, instruction and the campus community. Through education, auditing and monitoring, technical consultation, and the provision of direct services, EH&S assists the campus in meeting its obligations for compliance with State and Federal health, safety and environmental regulations.

Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)

The IIPP is the most important health and safety regulation/program on campus, and in California. The IIPP law is administered by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA). In short, this law requires employers to establish the following foundation safety program elements that apply to all workers regardless of their particular job duties:

1. Ensure that workers are trained in, and comply with, safe work practices

2. Inspect for and correct unsafe/unhealthy work conditions as soon as possible

3. Maintain documentation of all training and inspections

4. Encourage workers to report unsafe conditions (Hazard Reporting Form) without fear of reprisal

5. Communicate safety issues in a way that is understandable to all workers

6. Report and investigate all occupational injuries

Procedures for responding to fires, chemical exposure, medical and other emergencies are outlined below. This information is also available in the UCSB Emergency Flip Chart, posted on the wall of each lab and office. In the case of all emergencies or injuries, the incident should be reported to your supervisor or lab manager and the Department MSO, CLSO, or Chairperson.

Fires

1. Know the location of fire extinguishers in your area and know how to use them. Fire extinguisher training is available for departments by request at 893-7751.

2. For a minor fire that appears to be controllable, activate the building fire alarm system at the nearest manual f re alarm pull box. Immediately call 911 (or 9-911 from a campus phone). Then use the appropriate fire extinguisher to control the flames. Get help if necessary.

3. For a larger fire that is not easily controllable, close all doors to confine the fire and reduce oxygen. Activate the building fire alarm system at the nearest manual fire alarm pull box, then immediately call 911 (or 9-911 from a campus phone). Give all information requested (your name, exact location, size and progress of the fire, etc.).

4. Notify your supervisor or instructor, then evacuate the building by quickly walking to the nearest exit, alerting people as you go, and assisting those with disabilities as necessary. Do not use elevators for evacuation.

5. Once outside, move to a clear area at least 50 feet away from the affected building. Keep the walkways and vehicle access clear for emergency vehicles. Utilize the designated building Emergency Assembly Point if it is free of smoke, and wait for instructions.

6. DO NOT RETURN TO THE AFFECTED BUILDING UNTIL TOLD IT IS SAFE BY A CAMPUS FIRE OFFICIAL.

7. Report all fires, regardless of size to Campus Dispatch at 893-3446.

8. Report any fire extinguisher that has been discharged, has lost pressure, or is out-of-date to Physical Facilities/ Life Safety Service at 893-2661, ext. 1402 for service.

Chemical Exposure to Personnel

1. If it is safe to do so, remove contaminated victim(s) from area.

2. Call 911 (or 9-911 from a campus phone) for immediate medical attention, or if chemical release threatens others. In extreme circumstances, activate the fire alarm, and evacuate the building.

3. Remove contaminated clothing and use emergency eyewash/shower.

4. Administer first aid as appropriate.

5. Notify EH&S at 893-3194 (24-hr phone line).

6. Provide information, including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to emergency responders.

Medical Emergencies

Campus Smoking Policy

The University of California system is smoke-free and tobacco-free. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and unregulated products will not be allowed on UC-owned or leased properties. UC Santa Barbara is committed to providing students, faculty, staff, and visitors with a smoke-free and tobacco-free environment. Under the authority of California Government Code 7597.1, smoking and the use of all tobacco products, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e.g., "e-cigarettes") are prohibited anywhere at all indoor and outdoor spaces managed by UC Santa Barbara. Violations of the adopted policy by students, faculty, and staff may result in University disciplinary action. Campus visitors will be asked to comply with the policy or leave campus.

UCSB’s Alcohol & Drug Program (ADP) provides free and confidential counseling to self-referred students, students referred by someone else, and students concerned about a friend’s use of alcohol or drugs.

Substance Abuse Policy

The University provides confidential programs and services for academic and staff employees and students who have become dependent on or are abusing alcohol, other legal or illegal substances. The illegal use, possession, or distribution of alcohol or illegal substances in the workplace, on University premises, at official university functions, or on university business is prohibited.

Students found guilty of violating the UCSB Substance Abuse Policy or the Campus Regulations Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students are subject to disciplinary sanctions which may include loss of privileges and exclusion from activities, warning, suspension, or dismissal. In addition to, or in lieu of a corrective action, a student may also be required to participate in an approved counseling or treatment program. The complete text of the UC and UCSB Substance Abuse Policies can be found online.