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1.1.1 It is the policy of the University to furnish a place of employment and learning that is as free as possible from recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause harm to its faculty, staff, students, visitors and the surrounding community, and in compliance with applicable institutional, local, state and federal environmental, health and safety requirements and best practices.       

1.1.2 Faculty, staff and students share in this responsibility and are expected to ensure that their actions as well as activities under their control are conducted in a manner that presents the least possible hazard to themselves, other members of the University community, visitors, University property and the surrounding community. 

1.1.3 In accordance with The University of Texas System policies, the University has established an Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) to assure that reasonable oversight programs are established to provide support and maintain written policies, training programs and procedures as well as maintain compliance with approved safety and environmental standards and policies, to achieve Environmental Health & Safety risk management and manage identified risks through measured programs of compliance.

1.1.4 The Assistant Vice President for EH&S is responsible for overseeing programs of continual improvement in Environmental Health and Safety, Risk Management and Emergency Preparedness, as well as the development of safety-related policy recommendations for the operation of the University controlled areas and activities, implementation of procedural guidelines, and, through an ongoing audit and observation function, providing reasonable assurance to the President that the University and its functions are in compliance with approved safety and environmental standards and policies.  The Assistant Vice President is further empowered to take interim action to close, evacuate or bar entry to any area, space, classroom, laboratory or office and order the cessation of any activity on property owned or controlled by the University which, in the opinion of the Assistant Vice President represents an immediate potential danger to members of the University community or University property, including a violation disregarding University Environmental Health and Safety regulations, rules, policies, procedures and manuals.

1.1.5 University personnel shall comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, ordinances, rules and codes; generally accepted industrial safety standards; and University and UT System, policies and procedures to include procedural manuals maintained by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.