Safety
Tool and Machine Safety
Machine shops are an integral part of the Cornell University campus. These shops support the University's infrastructure, advance research operations, and are a focus for many student courses and elective activities. Machine shops can pose a myriad of hazards that must be taken seriously. Many of the most frequently cited OSHA safety standards pertain to machine safeguarding. Nearly 45,000 machinery accidents occur each year in industry, causing severe injuries and fatalities.
Other Resources and Procedures for Safety
Welcome to the Other Safety Programs and Procedures. Here you will find programs and procedures not directly associated with our traditional Safety Programs.
Excavations
Excavations are recognized as one of the most hazardous operations in the construction industry. Excavation cave-ins can cause serious and often fatal injuries to employees. In addition to the hazards related to cave-ins, excavations are of particular concern on campus due to the University’s complex underground utility infrastructure. OSHA places very strict regulations governing the design of an excavation, cave-in prevention methods, and employee training. Cornell employees working in or around excavations need to be knowledgeable of safety requirements.
Electrical Safety
Incidents involving electricity can cause burns, explosions, shocks, and death, and are a major cause of building fires. The Electrical Safety Program has been developed to help individuals recognize and avoid electrical hazards. The goal is to reduce and manage the risk of electrical arc flash hazard, shock, equipment damage, and fire.
Cranes and Hoists
The purpose of the Crane and Hoist Safety Program is to establish safe work practices and inspection procedures to help ensure that the operators of overhead cranes, as well as the Cornell University community are protected from potential hazards associated with the movement of equipment and material using a crane, hoist and related equipment.Cranes must be consistently inspected to prevent equipment failure and incidents and to determine whether cranes and crane components can be expected to perform as intended.