Students, Faculty and Staff who are exposed to extreme cold or work in cold environments may be at risk of cold stress. Extreme cold weather is a dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies including Frostbite, Hypothermia and chilblains. Environmental factors include:
- Temperatures near or below freezing
- Extreme wind chill
- Rain/Snow
- Inadequate clothing
Cold Stress Program
EHS manages the cold stress program for U-M. The Cold Stress Program provides guidance to help you identify cold stress control measures (engineering and administrative controls, protective clothing, work practices and training).
Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines and Manuals
Supplemental Information
Electricians and other qualified personnel working directly with electricity are at risk of experiencing electrical-related incidents such as explosions, arc flashes, or fires resulting in burns or electrical shock. Faculty, staff, and students in the area may also be indirectly exposed to hazards through extension cords and power strips.
Electrical Safety Program
The goal of the Electrical Safety Program is to minimize potential electrical hazards by specifying proper use and design characteristics of electrical devices, equipment, and systems. New electrical equipment must be installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the latest edition of the National Electric Code (NEC) NFPA 70. Only U-M Facilities and Operations staff may authorize modifications or changes to circuits or building equipment.
Flexible extension cords (including GFCI cords) are for short-term use with portable equipment and are never a substitute for permanent wiring. The use of multi-outlet power strips is limited to computer workstations.
Qualified Workers must use lockout and tagout on appropriate disconnect switches to de-energize electrical power to equipment being worked on. A lockout/tagout system makes it impossible to energize a piece of equipment while the lock/tag is in place.
Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals
Supplemental Information
Faculty, staff, and students exposed to temperature extremes or heat indexes above 91°F are at risk of experiencing a heat stress-related incident including heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Such environments include:
- Working in temperatures or a heat index above 91°F
- Working around radiant heat sources
- Having direct physical contact with hot objects
- Engaging in strenuous physical activities in hot environments
- Wearing personal protective equipment
Heat Stress Program
EHS manages the heat stress program for U-M. The Heat Stress Program provides guidance to help you identify heat stress control measures (engineering and administrative controls, protective clothing, work practices, and training).
Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals
Supplemental Information
Hot Work
In order to protect University of Michigan (U-M) personel and property from fires due to temporary operations involving open flames, or producing heat and/or sparks sparks, U-M has developed the following procedures to be used whenever hot work is being performed. Hot work should not be performed if the work can be avoided or performed in a safer manner. When practical, objects to be welded, cut, or heated shall be moved to a designated safe location, e.g., a designated welding or Hot Work Area.
Hot work is not permitted:
- Within 35 feet of combustibles, explosives, stored cylinders, or stored fuel
- Unless authorized by a supervisor
- In the presence of a potentially explosive atmosphere
Hot work shall not be conducted in areas not intended or designed for conducting hot work, unless the area has been inspected and a Hot Work Permit issued to the person(s) who will be conducting the actual work. Areas permanently established and arranged to conduct hot work (a designated Hot Work Area) are exempt.
Program and Permits
Hot Work Permit (for U-M personnel): This Hot Work Permit is required for use by U-M personnel while performing any temporary operation involving open flames or producing heat and/or sparks outside a designated Hot Work Area.This includes, but is not limited to: brazing, cutting, grinding, soldering, thawing pipe, torch applied roofing, and welding.
Hot Work Permit (for Contractors): This Hot Work Permit is required for use by contrators when working on U-M property while performing any temporary operation involving open flames or producing heat and/or sparks outside a designated Hot Work Area.This includes, but is not limited to: brazing, cutting, grinding, soldering, thawing pipe, torch applied roofing, and welding. The FM Global Hot Work Permit can also be used by contractors. Hard copies are available from U-M AEC Construction Project Managers.
Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals
Hot Work Program
Faculty, staff, and students exposed to noise levels above 85 decibels where the individual must raise their voice to be heard at arm’s length, or to very loud impact or impulse noises, are at risk of sustaining a permanent hearing loss. Contact EHS if you are concerned about noise levels in your area.
Hearing Conservation Program
The Hearing Conservation Program helps ensure individuals do not suffer health effects from exposure to excessive noise while at work. The program is for personnel who EHS has determined are exposed to greater than 85 decibels as an eight hour time weighted average. To request an assessment of workplace noise levels, contact EHS at [email protected].
The Hearing Conservation Program includes:
- Workplace and personal noise exposure monitoring
- Annual audiometric (hearing) tests
- Hearing protection devices (ear plugs or ear muffs)
- Annual training on the:
- Hazards of noise
- Purpose of audiometric testing
- Proper use of hearing protection
Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals
Walking-Working Surfaces Program
EHS manages the Walking-Working Surfaces Program at the U-M. The Program provides guidance about how to safely use:
- Use and erect scaffolding
- Use dock boards
- Access and work on roof tops
- Portable and fixed ladders NOTE: Department supervisors are required to provide training to staff on ladder safety.
Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals
Water Safety and Watercraft Program
Using watercraft and working over or near water is an inherently dangerous task and requires specific safety measures to keep students, faculty and staff safe. EHS Manages the Water and Watercraft Program at the U-M. The Program provides guidance on the following:
- Life jacket requirements
- Ring buoy and rescue boat requirements
- Safe boating practices and requirements
Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals
