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Safety and Health Policy and Procedure Manual SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR PURCHASED EQUIPMENT and MATERIALS Safety and Health Policy and Procedure Manual
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR PURCHASED
EQUIPMENT and MATERIALS
Section 0230
Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

II. STANDARDS

III. EQUIPMENT PURCHASES

IV. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PURCHASES

V. BUILDING CHANGES/PARTITIONS

VI. PORTABLE HEATING & COOLING EQUIPMENT

SECTION 230
I. Introduction
This procedure outlines Safety Requirements for Purchased Equipment and Hazardous
Materials. All equipment, including furniture, tools and electrical appliances, purchased
by university departments should be the safest possible and meet the most stringent
industry safety standards for that type of equipment. When new Hazardous Materials are
purchased they must be approved by either the Office of Safety or a Department's
Chemical Hygiene Officer. While the purchaser must assume primary responsibility for
the safety of equipment and materials purchased, the Office of Safety is always available
to consult and provide safety information.


II. Standards
North Carolina Office of State Personnel, Workplace Requirements Program, 2.10.1,
"Purchase Approval Requirement for Safety and Health".

III. Equipment Purchases
Equipment purchased for use at the university should meet the latest applicable safety
standards of the industry that produces the equipment. The primary account holder not
only authorizes the use of funds but is committing that the equipment is safe and will be
used and maintained in a safe manner.

Violations of this policy will result in unsafe equipment be taken out of service, until such
time as the department who purchased the equipment can make it safe or purchase safe
replacement equipment.

Please remember many things we purchase can cause injury if safety and health are not
considered when purchasing. Consider the following list as examples:

Equipment
Possible Hazard
Chairs and Desks

Ergonomically Incorrect

Computer workstations

Ergonomically Incorrect

Electrical Equipment

Not Suitable for Environment of Use

Power Tools

Not Suitable for Environment of Use

Material Handling Devices

Not Suitable for Environment of Use

Ladders

Not Approved for Use

Personal Protective Equipment

Not Correct for Hazard

Lab Vacuum Pumps & Centrifuges

Not Properly Guarded and Grounded

IV.

Hazardous Material Purchases
The purchase of hazardous chemical materials is covered in detail by two sections of
this Safety and Health Policy and Procedure Manual. They are:
Section 0020 Hazard
Communication Program
and
Section 0030 Chemical Hygiene Program
.
The purchase of radioisotopes must follow state and federal laws, including use by
trained personnel under a state license, supported by a departmental Radiation Safety
Officer (RSO).
V. Building Changes/Partitions
The purchase of any construction materials or products to be used to alter or modify a
university facility may only be done with approval of the Associate Vice Chancellor for
Facilities. Additionally, the contracting of any work to alter or modify a university facility
may only be done with approval of the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Facilities or by
departments currently authorized to modify facilities including, Housing and Residence
Life, Telephone and Network Services, Physical Plant, and Facilities Design and
Construction. Departments that host other parties should not allow them to modify
university facilities for any purpose.

The primary purpose of this policy is to insure that buildings are not modified in such a
way that safety hazards are created. These hazards may involve emergency exiting,
electrical safety, disturbing hazardous building materials, and the introduction of non-
approved materials.
VI. Portable Heating and Cooling Equipment
The purchase or use of portable heating and cooling equipment, such as space heaters,
portable fans, air conditioners is prohibited, except under the control of departments
responsible for maintaining indoor spaces, including Physical Plant and Housing and
Residence Life. Problems with temperature control should be addressed through these
departments.

The primary purpose for this policy is to insure that heating and cooling problems are
dealt with by trained personnel and any engineering controls are attempted prior to the
introduction of portable equipment. Additionally, when portable equipment is purchased
by the maintenance departments, it must be at least grounded equipment that meets the
occupants needs and applicable safety standards.