Environmental Health and Safety

Amended: 2/1/2024 

Provided by: Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR) 

Related Links and Resources: 

• Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR)  
• Laboratory Safety  
• Industrial Hygiene and Workplace Safety  
• Occupational Health Services 
• Workers’ Compensation Program  

It is important that Tufts employees return home each day as healthy as when they began. In order to do that, every Tufts employee must be aware of the illness and injury potential of each task performed as a Tufts employee. Most Tufts employees are exposed to normal hazards, that is hazards that exist in almost all places such as slipping and falling to the floor or downstairs, sustaining minor abrasions or cuts or overexerting parts of your body while performing a task. However, there is other employees that are exposed to hazards because of the materials and equipment used or the locations where the work is completed, such as on a roof or underground.  

Many Tufts employees perform tasks for which there are legal regulations or professional standards that must be followed. Tufts is regulated by federal, state and local safety and environmental protection agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protections (MA DEP). Compliance with these regulations is a priority at all times.  

Your supervisor is your primary resource for job safety and health information. However, Tufts University provides safety and environmental protection expert services to its managers, supervisors and employees through several departments including Environmental Health and Safety, Occupational Health Services, Tufts Police, Fire Marshal, Emergency Management, Risk Management, Human Resources and University Counsel. These departments work collaboratively to provide a wide range of services essential to working safely each day. Two important services are training courses and safety and environmental compliance audits and inspections.  

The goals of all Tufts employees are the same, working safely, protecting the environment and complying with regulations at all times while completing important and high-quality work for the Tufts community. 

Many Tufts employees are required to participate in workplace safety courses offered through the Tufts Learning Center. These courses are online and available 24/7. A certification is issued to confirm successful completion of the course. Each supervisor is responsible for maintaining records of employee training and ensuring that both new employee and annual training is completed. Some courses must be taken as soon as possible after starting work at Tufts such as Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hazard Communication. Your supervisor will provide you with a list of required and optional courses available to you. 

Workplace safety audits and inspections are conducted routinely by supervisors sometimes with the assistance of Tufts safety and environmental experts from the departments listed above. In addition, regulatory agencies may also conduct workplace inspections. Inspectors from regulatory agencies and accreditation organizations are always accompanied by one or more Tufts officials to ensure the safety and security of all during the inspection. 

The staff of the collaborating employee health and safety offices are available at all times to provide expert advice and services to both new and long service Tufts employees. 

Despite best efforts, workplace injuries and disease can happen. If you have an accident and need medical assistance, contact Tufts Police or ask a coworker to. You and your supervisor must report this accident using the Tufts Accident/Incident Report form which is sent to the Risk Manager where it is processed to ensure that medical and leave benefits can be provided in a timely manner. 

All accidents at Tufts are investigated to identify the causes and actions that can be taken to prevent future accidents.