Chapter 1 - Background and Introduction

Health and Safety Training Manual: Section 1 – Administrative policies and procedures

pdfI. Oregon State University is a land-grant university with a deep-rooted history of agricultural science education and research. As such, there is a profound interest in the safety and health of the agricultural workers at the main campus, out-lying units, and facilities across the state. This set of occupational safety and health rules are meant to provide all agricultural workers at Oregon State University the proper guidelines to prevent accidents and loss of life, or health. Under all circumstances, workers must be properly trained to perform their required task.

II. All guidelines in this set of agricultural safety rules were developed from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) - 29 CFR 1910, 1926, and 1928 as adopted by O.A.R., Oregon OSHA 437-004, and 40 CFR part 170, EPA’s Worker Protection Standard for pesticide handlers. Workers are reminded that the Oregon State University is regulated by OR-OSHA and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

III. These rules are to be used as building blocks for individual agricultural units to properly provide adequate safety and health protection for their workers. Department heads or directors should add local regulations and procedures that are specific for their location. Department heads or directors are responsible for implementation of safe work practices

IV. This manual is intended to be flexible so departments or superintendents can use and apply only those sections that pertain to them. Department heads or directors should add local regulations and procedures that are specific for their location. The University Farm Safety Committee will review this manual on a regular basis and make changes as Federal and State laws change.

V. The University has a responsibility to provide a safe workplace for its employees. Workers also have a responsibility to follow safe practices to protect themselves and others working around them. In agricultural work as with other types of labor, there is a certain amount of common sense that must be brought to the job by the worker. Rules and guidelines cannot always be provided to ensure or guarantee a safe workplace in all work situations. Therefore, agricultural workers must use common sense in those situations.