Cal-OSHA requires every employer to have an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)* in place (Title 8, section 3203). The University of California, Merced has implemented a campus level IIPP program to ensure a safe and healthful work environment for its employees. The IIPP is the umbrella under which all employee health and safety programs are implemented and provides a framework for identifying and correcting workplace hazards.
*Note: This copy of the IIPP does NOT include the CHP. If you are a lab member, please download your copy here. 
IIPP Goals

• Provide a safe and healthful workplace for employees
• Reduce risk of disease, illness, injury and harmful exposures to the campus community
• Reduce worker's compensation claims and costs
• Improve employee morale and efficiency
• Comply with regulatory mandates

 Program Elements 

• Assigns RESPONSIBILITIES for health and safety
• Establishes mechanisms for HAZARD IDENTIFICATION and HAZARD MITIGATION
• Requires WORKPLACE INSPECTIONS and ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
• Requires COMMUNICATION of health and safety information
• Reaffirms TRAINING and DOCUMENTATION mandates

Employee Rights

As an employee you have the right to:

• A safe workplace free from recognized hazards
• Receive training on hazards associated with your job
• Know how to control hazards of your job
• Report workplace hazards without fear of reprisal

Roles and Responsibilities

Managers, Supervisors, and PI’s:

Managers and Supervisors are expected to provide Environmental, Health, and Safety leadership and guidance within their departments. They should: 

• Provide safety training consistent with employee job duties
• Enforce safety rules and regulations within the department
• Provide a means to identify workplace hazards
• Maintain all EH&S documentation

Employee:

All employees have a responsibility to maintain a safe and healthful work environment. As an employee you should:

• Follow safe work practices
• Be familiar with the campus IIPP
• Know the potential health and safety hazards of your job and how to protect yourself
• Know how to report unsafe conditions
• Report any work-related injury or illness to your supervisor
• Know what to do in an emergency
• Correct unsafe conditions within your authority

If you are unclear about your responsibilities, ask your supervisor.

Office of Environmental Health & Safety

EH&S has responsibility for monitoring compliance of the University's Injury and Illness Prevention Programs to minimize or prevent occupational injuries and illnesses, and to protect the quality of the workplace and surrounding environment. EH&S advises the campus community of its responsibilities with respect to health and safety issues, recommends appropriate corrective actions and programs, implements new health and safety programs and is the liaison between UC Merced and various external agencies and regulatory bodies.

Resources

The following forms should be used to assist faculty, staff, and students in developing a safe work environment.

Report of Unsafe Condition or Hazard
Hazard Correction Report
Occupational Accident Investigation Report
General Self-Inspection Form
Safety Training Documentation Form

Questions?

If you have questions about the health and safety of your work environment or about environmental, health and safety in general, please feel free to contact EH&S at (209) 228-4234. We will be happy to assist you.