Supervisor Safety Responsibilities at UCI

Updated October 9, 2023 | 3 p.m.


As a supervisor at UCI, you have the responsibility to achieve and maintain a safe work environment for you and your employees and also ensure that your employees work safely. For assistance or questions on the following responsibilities, please contact EHS at 949-824-6200 or at safety@uci.edu.

Specific program areas on which supervisors should focus include the following:

Safety on Site (SOS) Program Implementation

Required Safety Training

  • Review employees’ completed Safety Training Self-Assessment selections.
  • General safety training - provided by EHS and available through UC Learning Center.
  • Work Unit Specific Training - coordinated by your department.

Communication Documentation

  • Document all safety communications and store unit files for a minimum of 5 years – document date and time, topics discussed, presenters’ names, minutes, action items, attendees’ names, and signatures.

Injury Response

  • Call 911 if any employee, student, or volunteer has a life-threatening condition or requires immediate medical attention.
  • Seek medical attention if injury is not life-threatening: Medical Emergency Poster.
  • If employee is sent to the hospital, stay apprised of employee’s status and inform EHS (x46200 or at safety@uci.edu) and Workers’ Compensation (x49152 or at wcdm@uci.edu) as soon as practically possible.

Reporting Work-Related Injuries and Incidents

  • Report all work-related injuries within 24 hours.
  • Visit the EHS website and navigate to the “Report An Injury, Incident, or Safety Concern,” or contact the university’s insurance claim center at 1-877-682-7778.
  • Complete the “Supervisors Report of Injury” form, if necessary, and return promptly to EHS.

External Agency Inspections

  • Notify EHS directly at 949-824-6200 if an inspector arrives.
  • Wait with the inspector until EHS arrives. Do not volunteer any information, but stay cooperative.
  • Only take inspector to areas of concern. EHS will take the lead during and after the inspection. In case of a follow-up, EHS will coordinate efforts and communicate with the agency.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Provide and ensure PPE is being used and worn correctly by staff.
  • Select appropriate PPE based on the potential hazards, level of risks, and seriousness of potential injury: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • Department is responsible for the purchase of PPE.

Emergency Plans

  • Develop and communicate emergency plans and ensure employees are familiar with general and department-specific plans.
  • Create plans for department-specific hazards, and update plans as operations change.

Employee Performance Evaluations

  • Rate employees’ safety performance as “Solid Performance” or “Improvement Needed” based on three criteria:
    1. Awareness and completion of all required safety training related to job duties (current/not expired).
    2. Awareness and consistently follows proper safety procedures and use of safety equipment.
    3. Takes responsibility for workplace safety and environment.