Faculty Responsibility For Safety In The Classroom

 

Faculty responsibility for safety in the classroom

Faculty have specific responsibilities and liabilities in the instructional setting whenever activities involve more than an ordinary degree of risk. Faculty members are entitled to indemnification and legal defense for alleged acts or omissions occurring within the course of scope of their employment, unless such acts or omissions involve fraud, corruption, or actual malice. Following university safety rules, using safety equipment, and supervision students in the instructional setting will provide evidence of conduct that is within the course and scope of employment.

Faculty must always:

• Inform students of all risks inherent in the class, lab or activity including dangerous substances, equipment or procedures.
• Instruct students on how to properly and safely handle all such dangerous items or activities.
• Exercise a degree of supervision over student activities appropriate with the possible degree of hazard involved.
• Enforce all applicable safety regulations developed by the department, Risk Management and the Environmental Health and Safety departments.
• Inform students of campus emergency procedures specific to the classroom or laboratory. This includes response to emergency evacuation, fires, chemical spill, and earthquakes; location of the nearest emergency exits; reporting an emergency using the campus 911 emergency number; proper procedures in case of an injury.
• Minimize the risks associated with field trips and other off campus activities by informing students of the risks inherent in the field activity, exercising a degree of supervision over the class activity appropriate with the degree of hazards involved, inform students of campus emergency procedures and explain their application in the field, ensure that no alcohol or controlled substances are transported in university vehicles, and notify University Police in the event of a serious injury, death, or extensive property damage.

Download the Faculty Responsibilities for Student Safety brochure.