OSRHE : System Safety, Health and Environment Resource Center : Oklahoma Campus Safety Association

OKLAHOMA CAMPUS SAFETY ASSOCIATION

Who?
In 1991, nine people came together to share information on occupational safety, public safety and environmental compliance as they relate to educational institutions in Oklahoma. Recognizing the impact that OSHA, EPA, DOT, fire code and other mandates were having on their campuses, a supportive and informative network for colleges, universities and public schools was born.

The Oklahoma Campus Safety Association (OCSA) now has a membership of about 90 individuals from health, safety, environmental compliance, facility management and other disciplines on Oklahoma campuses.

The mission is to promote and strengthen activities pertaining to all aspects of safety and the environment and to monitor and respond to any legislative activity that may impact the missions of educational institutions. Membership has been extended to include any state agency or public employee who wishes to join.

Why?
Regardless of mandates from city, state and federal government, there are basic underlying reasons for these programs. OCSA members strongly believe that:

The employees and volunteers who work in education are deserving of protection from harm while doing their jobs.
The students of Oklahoma are deserving of protection from harm while pursuing their education.
The financial viability of our institutions can be adversely affected by a lack of proactive prevention programs.

Daily, we must negotiate a maze of laws; mandates; promulgated rules; regulations; best management practices, guidelines and standards; and individual institutional policies in the following areas:

Occupational safety
Workers’ compensation
Environmental compliance
Risk management
Emergency management
Public safety
Fire and life safety
Transportation safety
Human resources
Legal counsel
Insurance programs

Do you want to...

Learn about other campus safety and compliance programs?
Make contact with people who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences?
Monitor upcoming regulatory issues?
Gain sources for informing your administration?
Speak with someone who understands how you feel?

Then, membership in the OCSA is for you. Whether your facility consists of one building or 20, 20 employees or 5,000 and is a public school, private school, higher education or governmental agency, our network of members can be of help. OCSA members meet five times a year for open discussions of safety or environmental topics. The meetings also include guest speakers from industry, government or education who provide regulatory updates and relevant safety or environmental information.

If you would like more information, please feel free to call any of the following officers.

President, Melanie Stinnett, MetroTech Technology Center, 405.605.4789

Vice-President, Chris Snow, Oklahoma City Community College, 405.685.7575

Treasurer, Pam Boatright, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 405.225.9458

Secretary, Gary Cook, Murray State College, 580.371.2371, ext. 210

If you are interested in joining, download and complete the application. (Word, 64k)