AbstractsEngineering

As regional university campuses continue to increase in enrollment, centralized safety and health management structures may not be able to meet all of the demands. Currently Ohio University institutes safety in a centralized location in the Environmental Health and Safety Department at the main campus in Athens, where they help the regional campuses on an as needed basis. The primary objective of this study was to gain insight into managerial perceptions from the Environmental Health and Safety Department and from the regional campuses with regard to safety and health services and training received and/or needed. The goal was to identify the gaps between what is currently being done and what management perceives is needed. Results suggest that there are misperceptions within management at the regional campuses and between the regional campuses and the main campus at Ohio University. A lack of acknowledgement of formalized safety and health programs and appropriate incident recording indicate a need for process improvements. It is recommended that Ohio University should consider the development of a regional safety coordinator and the implementation of an established safety and health program for all campuses.