Spotlight on Safety
Quarterly Newsletter for Safety and Loss Prevention
Winter 2003, Vol. 4; No. 4
This issue of Spotlight on Safety contains articles on insurance, workers compensation, natural gas safety, and community emergency alert systems.
The University of North Dakota has insurance that covers property losses. In order for departments to have coverage under this policy, however, it is important for departments to make sure they have an accurate MAJOR and MINOR equipment inventory. Most departments have a good MAJOR equipment inventory, but the MINOR equipment often times is not accurately documented. All items that cost less than $5,000 are considered MINOR inventory. It is important that the MINOR inventory be detailed and accurate. Only those items that are included on a documented inventory are covered under the University's insurance policy.
The University currently has a $2500.00 deductible (per event) for building damage and personal property (equipment) losses. Departments are responsible for paying some, if not all, of this deductible depending on the type of loss that occurred. The University has risk management reserves that can be used to help departments cover losses that are not covered by insurance (ie. deductibles). Decisions on the allocation of risk management reserve funds are made based on the department's pro-active risk management processes (ie. locking doors, securing equipment, etc.). Therefore, it is essential that departments take pro-active loss prevention steps to protect their property.
If you have a loss, contact the UND Police Department if it occurs from vandalism or theft at 7-3491. Also contact the Safety Office at 7-3341 and report the loss. Take photographs prior to cleaning or moving items (Safety Office can take photos if the department does not have a camera). Contact Facilities if building damage has occurred at 7-2591.
Complete a Notification of Loss Form (available at www.safety.und.edu) and fax this to 7-4132 or mail to Box 9031. If possible, acquire two quotes for replacement or repair (insurance will only pay the cost to repair or replace, whichever is less). The Risk Manager will submit the claim to the insurance company. An insurance adjustor may call the department contact person for additional information.
For losses that will be covered by insurance, the Risk Manager will contact the department when the insurance payment is received for fund numbers as to where to deposit the funds. If your loss is not a covered loss, the department must cover the entire cost from departmental funds.
A person receiving any injury must report this without delay to the person in charge (supervisor) or make sure that person is informed. When notified of the injury/incident, the person in charge must immediately set any accident preventive measures in motion. Follow-up written incident reports are required.
Incident Forms Required - (1) Incident reporting is initiated
by completing the "Employee Incident Report". This
form must be completed and faxed to the Safety Office immediately
(777-4132). If the injured person is prevented from filling out
the form by the seriousness of the injury, the person in charge
must have the form prepared on behalf of the injured. (2) All
accidents must be investigated to determine the cause so as to
avoid any future accidents. For all incidents, this is done by
the person in charge (supervisor). After the investigation, the
injured person's supervisor must complete an "Incident Investigation"
form and submit it to the Safety Office.
Medical Treatment of Injuries - If the person involved in the
incident is an employee and suffered an injury or illness requiring
medical attention, the injured must go to one of the University's
Designated Medical Providers (DMP's) for treatment. UND's DMP's
are UND Family Practice, Student Health, and Altru Health Systems.
If these DMP selections are not acceptable, an employee can
designate a different medical provider by completing a Designated
Medical Provider form at the UND Payroll Office and having it
on file pre-injury.
Worker's Compensation Claims - From the information on the Employee Incident Report, the Safety Office will initiate a worker's compensation claim for the injured employee. Employees will need to either come to the Safety Office (2nd Floor Auxiliary Services Bldg.) to sign their worker's compensation application, or make arrangements to have the worker's compensation application brought to them for their signature. UND is responsible for paying the first two hundred fifty dollars of each workers compensation claim. This charge is paid by the injured employee's department.
Natural Gas Safety
If your home is like any of the 95% of other homes in the Grand
Forks area it is heated with natural gas. Natural gas is one
of the safest and most efficient energy sources known. It is
ideal for heating, cooking and other uses in the home. Natural
gas has an excellent safety record, but just like any energy source,
it should be used with a few things in mind... Natural gas has
a distinct odor so it can be easily detected if there is a leak.
If you smell gas...
• Do not smoke or use lighters, matches or other open flames;
open the windows.
• Do not turn any electrical switches, appliances or lights on or off or unplug electrical appliances.
• If the odor is faint, check its source. A pilot light could be out or a stove burner turned off only part way. When you're checking the source of the smell, be extra careful to put our all cigarettes, pipes, candles and anything else with a flame.
• If the odor is strong and seems to be coming from everywhere, get everyone out of the house or apartment immediately. Don't touch light switches or make phone calls – an electric spark could cause an explosion. Leave the area and call 911.
Keep Your Gas Appliances Operating Safely:
• Don't hang anything on the gas pipes in your home.
• Never store or use gasoline or any flammable product – like paint or hair spray – near your furnace or water heater.
• Keep forced-air furnace filters clean. Clean the filter or replace monthly or according to the manufacturer's recommendation.
• Have a qualified heating contractor inspect your furnace annually. A properly tuned furnace saves energy and helps avoid costly repairs.
The community of Grand Forks has an Emergency Alert System that all people need to understand. There are many different reasons that this alert system may be activated. Some examples include: tornados, floods, wind storms, terrorist/war threat, or chemical spill. These emergencies often come with little or no warning. Because of this urgency, it is essential that all people understand what to do in the event of emergency.
Typically, notification of emergencies having an immediate potential for injury or death will be initiated by the sounding of the Civil Defense sirens. Whenever you hear these sirens, immediately go inside and turn on either a radio or television. Local television and radio stations will provide the appropriate instructions relative to the emergency. These instructions may be to evacuate the area/neighborhood or seek shelter inside the building. For special hazards, such as the anhydrous ammonia spill in Minot last year, special instructions will also be provided (wet towels under doors, turn off furnace, etc.)
While we like to think of our community as safe, there are several reasons why we must all understand this community alert system. Some of those reasons include the harsh weather extremes we experience in this part of the country, a railroad and interstate adjacent to campus, and bulk storage facilities for ammonia and fuel on the north end of grand forks.
In the case of these types of emergencies, knowledge and preparedness are the keys to preventing serious injuries and death.
Safety and Environmental Health Office
Box 9031
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Phone: (701)777-3341
Fax: (701)777-4132
Back to SEHO Home Page
