Purpose and Scope
This procedure provides a means for all personnel to achieve the highest level of safety by establishing a process to promptly deal with observed dangerous conditions.
It is the policy of the Miami University Physical Facilities Department (PFD) that its activities are conducted in such a manner that workers, public health and safety, and protection of the environment are given the highest priority. PFD will comply with all applicable federal and state health, safety and environmental laws, regulations and orders so as to protect the health and safety of workers and the public and to minimize accidental damage to property.
This procedure
- establishes stop-work responsibilities and authorities
- describes the process PFD follows when a work situation warrants a stop-work order
- addresses provisions for resuming work activities following a stop-work order
This procedure applies to stop-work responsibilities and authorities related to work activites where continuation of work would endanger personnel, equipment, or the environment.
Definitions
Imminent Danger - Any condition or practice where it is reasonably likely that danger exists which may be expected to cause death or serious harm. (Examples of imminent danger include entering a permit-required confined space without monitoring the atmosphere for oxygen; working on a power system without performing lockout/tagout; working at heights without fall prevention or a protection system; working under a load suspended from a crane; using defective tools or equipment; and discovering a vessel containing toxic material that is leaking to the environment.)
Non-Immediate Threat - Any condition or hazard that requires correction but is not presently nor expected to become an imminent danger in a short period of time. (Examples of non-immediate threat include missing hazard or warning signs; expired operator qualifications; and unlabeled chemical containers.)
Stop Work - To temporarily halt a specific work activity until identified conditions are evaluated, modified or fulfilled.
Responsibilities
Safety at Miami is a line responsibility extending from the Associate VP - Facilities Planning and Operations to the respective Division Directors, Managers, Supervisors, and ultimately to all employees.
All Employees have responsibility and authority to issue a stop-work order for any PFD work activity or contractor that affects the Miami University community if, in their judgment, a health or safety situation exists that poses imminent danger to personnel, equipment, or the environment. In addition, they have responsibility for:
- Performing work in a manner that will not endanger themselves or their co-workers.
- Complying with established safety rules and requirements, and environmental protection requirements.
- Remaining alert to unsafe conditions.
- Notifying their supervisors or safety representatives of any condition they believe to be unsafe, environmentally unsound, or not in compliance with federal and sate health, safety and environmental laws, regulations or orders.
- Notifying their supervisors if a procedure is found to be inadequate or unworkable in its existing form, or if a non-immediate threat is found during work activities.
- NOTE: If any employee is unsatisfied with safety precautions taken in the workplace, the employee has the right to refuse (in good faith) to expose him/herself to imminent danger, in accordance with the Public Employees Risk Reduction Act.
Line Management has responsibility for:
- Conducting facility operations and work activities in compliance with applicable regulations and in such a manner that the risk of hazards and potential danger to personnel, equipment, or the environment is reduced to the lowest practicable level.
- Routinely monitoring work activities.
- Determining if a non-immediate threat should result in a work stoppage.
The Facilities Safety Coordinator has responsibility for supplying information, suggestions, ideas, etc. (as appropriate) to managers and supervisors and assisting with any corrective actions regarding work activities stopped or reported as unsafe.
The Facilities Safety Coordinator has responsibility for administering general training to all employees relative to their stop-work responsibility and authority.
Procedures
Observing an Unsafe Work Activity
Employee - Upon observing a PFD work activity where a health or safety situation exists that could endanger personnel, equipment or the environment, should consider the following:
- Determine if the situation poses imminent danger or is a non-immediate threat.
- If the situation poses imminent danger, immediately notify involved workers of the danger and direct them to stop work and establish safe conditions in which to leave the work site. Promptly notify the workers' immediate manager/supervisor or the Facilities Safety Coordinator.
- If the situation poses a non-immediate threat, promptly report the unsafe work condition to the immediate manager/supervisor or Facilities Safety Coordinator.
Stopping Work
Involved Workers - When directed to stop work, perform the following:
- Immediately stop work in a safe and cautious manner and establish safe conditions in which to leave the work site.
- NOTE: Any willful violation of a stop-work order is sufficient cause for disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
- Notify your immediate supervisor (if not previously notified)
Immediate Supervisor - If an imminent danger has been discovered, immediately verify that the work has been stopped and the work site left in a safe condition.
Evaluating Safety Status and Making Notifications
Manager/Supervisor - Perform the following:
- Evaluate the safety status of the work activity stopped or reported as unsafe and determine (with assistance from the Facilities Safety Coordinator or EHSO) if the concern is valid.
- Notify the appropriate Division Director of any significant work stoppage.
- If non-PFD personnel work is stopped, notify the appropriate Project Manager
- Document stop-work related actions, including determinations made by appropriate PFD personnel or the Facilities Safety Coordinator.
Facilities Safety Coordinator - Supply information, suggestions, ideas, etc. (as appropriate) and assist with any corrective actions regarding the work activity stopped or reported as unsafe.
Resumption of Work
Except to create a safe condition in which to leave the work site while permanent measures are considered, no work may resume until:
- the safety ramifications of that work have been considered thoroughly;
- all factors and causes creating the imminent danger have been identified and abated; and
- resumption of work has been authorized by line management and documented. If an agreement cannot be reached, the problem must be escalated immediately up through management to a level where satisfactory resolution results. When necessary, the matter must be reported to the Associate Vice President - Facilities Planning and Operations for resolution.
NOTE 1 Approval for resumption of work must be in compliance with applicable PFD requirements.
NOTE 2 Work resumption is not contingent upon satisfying the individual who issued the stop-work order as long as the resumption is authorized by line management. However, no individual is required to resume work if (in good faith) he/she believes imminent danger still exists.
Revision History