Intranet: Policies and Procedures: Section 5: Health, Safety and Environmental Concerns

5.01 Reporting of Serious Incidents in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Serious incidences occurring in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences should be reported as quickly as possible after their occurrence. Such reporting procedures will ensure that all appropriate personnel are knowledgeable of such incidences and can take appropriate actions.

What is a Serious Incident?
A serious incident may be defined as an occurrence in which someone receives injury that requires medical attention. This would include any type of on-the-job injury, or any critical illness in which an employee has received care of a medical doctor. Another type of incident that would be considered serious is any involvement which requires reporting to University official or legal authorities. This would include any type of accident involving state vehicles or any infractions of any county municipal, state, or federal laws. The final category of serious incidences is any type of activity which would bring discredit or place the college or University in a negative light. The rule of thumb is, if there is any question about whether an incident is serious enough to report, proceed in reporting.

Serious incidents are to be reported immediately by the most expedient means of communication (FAX, telephone, e-mail, etc). If you report by telephone, you still must submit in writing. All such reports must be submitted within hours of the incident. Under no circumstances should an incident report be delayed overnight. A good rule of thumb is, reports should be made by noon if they occur in the morning, or before the close of business if they occur in the afternoon.

Any employee of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences may file a Serious Incident Report. However, it would be customary for the senior person who has direct and first-hand knowledge of the incident to make the report. Reports should be sent directly to the dean and director with copies to associate deans, assistant deans, directors, department heads, supervisors, and others as appropriate.

The Serious Incident Report should be used as the reporting document. This can be transmitted by FAX, e-mail, or if neither is available, call the office of the dean and director.