The following basic rules have been established to help make Seattle Colleges a safe place to work. These rules are the foundation of safety at Seattle Colleges and are to be followed by all employees, faculty and management. Workplace or equipment-specific safety rules may also apply, and those rules are listed under specific programs or policies. Failure to comply with these basic rules may result in disciplinary action.

  • Never do anything unsafe to complete a job. If a task is unsafe or an employee is untrained, report it to your supervisor.
  • Never remove or disable any safety device. Keep safety guards, signs, and apparatuses in place.
  • Never operate equipment unless you are authorized and have been trained or certified in its safe operation.
  • Use your personal protective equipment whenever it is required. You may use personal protective equipment if you feel you need additional protection from a hazard so long as it doesn’t create an additional safety hazard for you or in the workplace.
  • Obey all safety rules and follow all warning signs.
  • Never work under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Using alcohol or drugs at work is prohibited. (WAC) 296-800-11025
  • Do not bring firearms or explosives onto school property, it is against the law. (WAC) 516-52-020
  • Smoking and vaping are only permitted outdoors more than 25 feet from building openings. This includes doors, windows and ventilation intakes. RCW 70.160.075
  • Unsafe physical activity, including, but not limited to, horseplay and fighting, are prohibited.
  • Maintain a clean, sanitary work area. Practice good housekeeping and do not create hazards that can affect your co-workers or others.
    1. Clean up spills, waste packaging and scraps immediately.
    2. Put all tools and equipment away after use.
    3. Do not bring food or drink into a workspace with chemical or biological hazards. (WAC) 296-800-230
    4. Always maintain all access-egress clearances. (WAC) 296-78-71011
    5. Fire extinguishers, electrical panels and other safety devices must be clear of items that will block emergency usage.

Supervisors of each workspace or team are responsible for identifying site-specific hazards in partnership with the Health and Safety Team. The specific hazards will be documented using a JHA (job hazard analysis form) and shared with employees in the workplace specific safety orientation training. If a job cannot be made less hazardous through engineering controls, then a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be written to provide proper directions and training to the employee completing the hazardous task to avoid injury.

Companion Document : Pro
Adoption Date : 2018/10/18
Revision Date : 2026/02/12