Office of Safety, Health & Environment

OSHE, which reports to the Division of Finance & Administration, is responsible for developing and administering MSU’s health and safety program. In matters of regulatory health, safety, and environmental compliance, OSHE is authorized by the University to protect personnel and the environment. OSHE is the unit responsible for all official University contact with external governmental regulatory agencies concerned with workplace health, safety, and environmental compliance. In consultation with the University legal counsel and, as required, representation by the Office of the Attorney General, OSHE shall coordinate all University Responses to Regulatory agencies' inquiries, complaints, lawsuits, and other formal proceedings. The goal of OSHE is to make sure that campus operations comply with local, state, and federal regulations and standards. OSHE has the following responsibilities:

• Develop and implement OSHE programs, procedures, and guidelines;
• Monitor University compliance in matters pertaining to health, safety, and environmental compliance;
• Provide training and awareness information to MSU employees and staff;
• Perform inspections and surveys. Identify and assess potentially hazardous operations;
• Review campus projects/activities to make sure work complies with applicable regulations;
• Serve as an advisor to students, faculty, and staff in matters pertaining to health, safety, and environmental compliance;
• Act as a liaison between MSU and local, state, and federal agencies in matters pertaining to health, safety, and environmental compliance; and
• Stop/suspend any University activity that presents an unacceptable risk to employees, students, or visitors.

Laboratory Safety

• The Laboratory Safety Program focuses on maintaining a safe and healthy environment in all research and instructional laboratories at Morgan State University.
• The Laboratory Safety Program is guided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Laboratory Standard, 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1450.

Environmental Management

• The Environmental Management Program focuses on campus-wide compliance with federal and state regulations.
• The Environmental Management Program is guided by CFR Title 40, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Title 26, Department of Environment.

Workplace Safety

• The Workplace Safety Program focuses on campus-wide compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
• The Workplace Safety Program is guided by OSHA Standards, CFR Title 29 Part 1910.

Fire & Life Safety

• The Fire & Life Safety program focuses on the preservation and protection of life and property from fire, explosion, and natural hazards.
• The Fire & Life Safety is guided by the National Fire Protection Association.

Injury Prevention

Here are some things your students can do to prevent injury.

1. Understand all evacuation routes.Evacuating quickly is the key to survival. Have them review and become familiar with evacuation routes before an emergency. During a fire, one of their routes could be blocked. If this is the case, they’ll have to find another way out.
2. Be aware of the closest fire alarm.Should a fire start in their dorm or apartment, make sure they’re familiar with where the closest fire alarm is located. The quicker they pull the alarm, the better.
3. Don’t tamper with smoke detectors.Working smoke detectors are key in alerting of a fire and starting the evacuation process. If they disable a smoke alarm due to a problem, they should contact their college’s safety or maintenance department promptly.
4. Don’t block fire exit doors.In many college dorms and apartments space is limited. They should never block entrances/exits with bikes, boxes, or furniture. In an emergency, they won’t have much time to move items.
5. Report damaged fire equipment to the appropriate staff.Fire equipment may be damaged accidentally or by vandalism. If your students see damaged equipment, make sure they report it to resident hall staff or safety department.
6. Be familiar with how to use a fire extinguisher.While a student’s priority should be to evacuate the building, there may be a time that a fire extinguisher could be helpful. Trying to read the instructions during a fire isn’t a good idea.
7. Don’t be a practical joker.While pulling a fire alarm as a joke, may seem harmless, it can have serious consequences. When a real fire starts, students may not take it seriously.

Fire Safety For Students