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Article 28 - Health and Safety

A. The University shall comply with applicable provisions of federal and state laws and regulations in respect to employment safety and health insofar as they pertain to the working conditions of unit members. Recognizing that some jobs are inherently dangerous, no unit member will be required to perform work which exposes the unit member or others to unusual risks or for which the unit member has not received appropriate safety training. Vehicles, machinery, and other equipment provided by the University shall be mechanically safe.

B. The University may adopt policies relating to the regulation of smoking in the work place by unit
members. The Chief Administrative Officer or designee shall consult with a designated campus Association representative prior to implementation of a change in a campus-wide smoking policy. Such policies shall not conflict with state laws or regulations.

C. The University agrees to use the following guidelines for unit members assigned to perform work on Video Display Terminals.

1. Pregnant V.D.T. Operators
Research has not shown any known radiation hazards from VDT's now being manufactured. However, for a pregnant VDT operator, who requests it, every effort shall be made to reassign her to other work or to another position not involving regular VDT use for the duration of her pregnancy. If reassignment is not possible, the unit member shall be eligible for an extended leave of absence as described in Article 19, Section A.1 of this Agreement. Such a request shall not be unreasonably denied.

2. Workstation Design
When the operator is seated at a VDT, the workstation design should satisfy certain physical dimensions. The following dimensions are best for most people (adjustments may be needed for shorter or taller operators):

a. view angle - 10-20 degrees below horizontal, to edge of screen no higher than eye level

b. viewing distance - 17 ½ - 19 ½

c. keyboard height - 29-31 inches at home row keys (see Figure 1)

Other important features include: detachable keyboard, adjustable chair, and adjustable table height. Screen tilt and document holder are also highly desirable. It is important that attention be given to the workstation to insure safe and comfortable conditions for the operator.

3. Lighting and Vision
VDT operation is visually demanding work. In order to reduce the likelihood of eyestrain, headaches, and associated problems, the following are recommended:

a. Terminals should have adjustable brightness and contrast, and good copy/background color and contrast. There should be no visible flicker of characters.

b. Proper lighting can be achieved by:
-- avoiding overly bright general illumination;
-- eliminating glare and reflections, by closing window shades or blinds, placing the VDT screen at right angles to windows and light fixtures, using diffused lighting systems;
-- avoiding large differences in brightness and contrast between written copy, the screen, and the surroundings (walls, desk-tops, etc.) Direct adjustable task lighting may be helpful.

c. Periods of non-VDT time shall be included in the daily work schedule by performing other duties to prevent potential eyestrain, muscle aches, and psychological distress.

4. The University and the Association agree to monitor VDT experience within and outside of the University and inform one another of any substantial changes in research or technology as they may occur.

5. VDT safety is a shared responsibility, requiring employee attention to ergonomics and proper use of equipment as well as appropriate equipment, training and workstation setup provided by the University. Each campus shall establish a procedure by which a unit member may request a review of a workstation for compliance with the guidelines in Sections C.2 and C.3. The University will ensure that all unit members and their supervisors are informed of the procedure and about the importance of proper workstation design. The procedure shall include the following elements:

a. The Unit member may request that the University complete a workstation assessment by the appropriate campus office/official.

b. The assessment shall result in a written response and, where appropriate, recommendations. The response shall be distributed to the unit member who requested the assessment and the unit member's supervisor.

c. The supervisor of the unit member who requested the assessment shall respond in writing regarding implementation of recommendations. The response shall be distributed to the person who conducted the assessment and the unit member who requested the assessment. The University shall not unreasonably deny implementation of any recommendation.

d. If the recommendations resulting from the assessment are not implemented by the supervisor, the unit member may request a review by the chief administrative officer or that person's designee.

6. Unit members whose work requires use of a video display terminal or similar equipment may be required to attend training regarding the proper use of the VDT. Any employee who uses a VDT or similar equipment may request the training. Such a request shall not be unreasonably denied.

D. Safety is a shared responsibility, requiring employee attention to safe work practices and compliance with safety rules and regulations as well as appropriate equipment and training provided by the University.

1. The University shall provide all personal protective equipment and health and safety training required for employees by state and federal laws and regulations. All unit members will be advised of and will abide by University safety regulations and will use appropriate safety equipment and protective clothing required and provided by the University.

2. Each campus shall establish a procedure by which a unit member may request a safety review of a work location or equipment. The University will ensure that all unit members and their supervisors are informed of the procedure. The procedure shall include the following elements:

a. The unit member may request that the University complete a work location assessment by the appropriate campus office/official.

c. The supervisor of the unit member who requested the assessment shall respond in writing regarding implementation recommendations. The response shall be distributed to the person who conducted the assessment and the unit member who requested the assessment. The University shall not unreasonably deny implementation of any recommendation.

d. If the recommendations resulting from the assessment are not implemented by the supervisor, the unit member may request a review by the chief administrative officer or that person's designee.

3. Unit members may request non-mandatory safety training. Such a request will not be unreasonably
denied.

E. Any health and/or safety committee that exists or is established at any campus shall have a representative appointed to it by the Association.

F. The parties recognize that a productive work environment requires reasonably comfortable temperature and humidity conditions in indoor work areas. When it is not possible to maintain reasonably comfortable working conditions, the University, upon a unit member's request, shall take reasonable steps including but not limited to reassigning unit members to alternate locations or providing frequent breaks during which the unit member may go to a different location. Such actions will be taken with consideration of the health and comfort of the unit member, the University's need to provide services, and the nature of the work performed.

Last changed on Thursday, May 09, 2002