Employees can contact the Facilities Management Occupational Health and Safety Department (FM-OHS) by calling the main number (434) 297-6379 or sending an email to fm-ohs@virginia.edu.
For general information and questions, please call the FM-OHS main line at (434) 297-6379, or send an email to fm-ohs@virginia.edu. As always, if you see or have an emergency, please call 911 immediately.
Safety is the responsibility of every individual. FM-OHS is not responsible for your safety, but is here as a resource to give you all the tools that you need to work safely.
Facilities Management's health and safety programs are developed from a variety of resources, and employ the best practices that are available. OSHA regulations represent the minimum standards required by the law, but not always the most current, or best practices available. We believe that our workers deserve the safest possible work environment, and will always afford the best protection available.
It is important to understand that FM-OHS has no authority to discipline employees. Our role is to inform, train, observe, and to investigate, but not to police. If you break a safety rule, we may be asked to investigate, or to supply information, but no disciplinary action comes from our office.
It is the driver's responsibility to instruct the other employees in the vehicle to spot, but discipline could be given to all in the vehicle.
Yes, inform your supervisor. They do not need to know why you are taking the medication, but they may need to change your job task while you are taking the medication.
No. Due to liability reasons as well as safety reasons, contractors have to supply their own equipment. Learn more about risk management by visiting UVA's Office of Property & Liability Risk Management website.
Industrial Hygiene is the science of anticipation, recognition, evaluation, control, and prevention of health and safety hazards in the workplace that may cause injury, illness, or affect the well-being of workers and the community. These hazards can be biological, chemical, physical, or ergonomic (i.e., dust, metal fumes, solvents, radiation, noise, work posture).
Hazard assessments are made by identifying potential hazards and by looking at employee activities and exposure. In order to evaluate the severity of hazards, air or noise sampling is often utilized to quantify an employee's potential exposure. Once an employee's exposure is quantified, we try to find ways to manage their exposure.
Sampling is the practice of capturing a representative amount of a contaminant that an employee is exposed to during his/her work activities.
One example is air sampling, which involves taking air samples while an employee is working around airborne hazards. This involves an employee wearing collection media (i.e., a small plastic cassette) around their breathing zone, so that airborne contaminants are collected at the rate that an employee may be breathing it in.
Another example is noise sampling, which involves measuring noise levels while an employee is working around high-noise activities. This involves an employee wearing an electronic measuring device on his/her shoulder, which measures sound energy that reaches the employee's ears.
Yes. On the OHS website, listed under Forms, there are two Sampling Request Forms. Currently, you can request either Air Sampling or Noise Sampling. Remember, before sampling is conducted, a hazard assessment will be conducted to determine what the potential exposure is and if sampling is warranted.
Usually. However, PPE has specific uses and limitations, which is why engineering and administrative controls should be considered before using PPE. If PPE is the only way to manage exposure to a hazard, you need to confirm that the appropriate PPE is being used correctly.
For example, a respirator must have the correct filter for the airborne hazard; ear plugs need to be properly inserted to sufficiently protect you from noise; or using protective clothing may be required when working around skin hazards. OHS can be contacted to confirm that your PPE is being used properly.
Check your area's vehicles and buildings for First Aid Kits. These kits include a variety of items that can treat minor ailments/injuries and help prevent infection. These kits also contain a limited supply of goods that may expire. These kits are your responsibility to inspect and keep up-to-date. If you need a first aid kit for your vehicle, or you have a kit that needs updating/refilling, contact you department's purchaser to request the needed supplies.
The accident report form (also known as Worker's Compensation Packet) is processed through Facilities Management Occupational Health and Safety. The official record is then kept by Human Resources.
Yes, Facilities Management requires employees that are injured while working to report the injury to their supervisor on the day of injury. The supervisor can assist the injured employee with filling out the proper forms found in the Worker's Compensation Packet. Injured employees have the right to decline medical services but can change their mind. However, the employee must report the injury and complete the Report Safety Incident on Workday.
Auto Loss Notice Form
The Auto Loss Notice Form is maintained by UVA Office of Property & Liability Risk Management.
Determine what equipment you need, and with your department's purchasing agent:
Read the full Lockout/Tagout Program
Yes, FM-OHS has developed a list of preferred PPE. However, anytime questions arise, please don't hesitate to contact us to clarify your PPE questions!
UVA FM provides vouchers so that employees who need them may get prescription safety glasses. The safety glasses voucher will cover basic prescription lenses and frames for safety glasses. The cost of upgrades or other customizations are the responsibility of the employee. If you have any issues when purchasing your prescription safety glasses with a voucher, please email FM-OHS@virginia.edu.
Employee steps:
Purchaser steps:
Email FM-OHS@virginia.edu if you have any questions.
A “filtering facepiece” (dust mask) is only to be used in instances of nuisance-level of dust or odor. It is not to be used in place of a respirator.
Before using a filtering facepiece:
There is no exemption from wearing PPE that is deemed necessary for a job task. PPE is the last line of defense between the worker and a known hazard, and the failure to utilize PPE would represent an unacceptable exposure to that hazard. If a situation arises that prohibits you from wearing required PPE, please notify your supervisor and contact FM-OHS immediately.
No, Facilities Management is responsible for providing your personal protective equipment (PPE). If you cannot use what was given to you, let your supervisor know and other brands will be tried.
UVA Facilities Management employees who work in the field and across Grounds are likely eligible for safety shoes due to their work duties. On average, employees typically need replacement shoes on an annual basis. However, there may be different guidelines based on different responsibilities and different types of shoes. If you need new shoes, you must submit a request via the Shoe Request Portal.
Employees needing new safety shoes must submit a request via the Shoe Request Portal. FM employees and their supervisors will be emailed approval once the shoe request is processed. After an employee has received this email, they will receive a voucher from Red Wing in their email and via text message, if they have an FM-issued mobile phone.
Vouchers usually get sent out every Wednesday for processed requests. All employees must have a valid UVA ID badge when picking up shoes. All employees must pick-up their own shoes. An employee cannot send another person in their place to pick up shoes.
2025 Red Wing Shoe Program & Truck Schedule
UVA-issued safety shoes, as with most UVA-issued materials, are to be worn only during work hours and to perform work related duties. UVA-issued safety shoes are not to be worn for personal use.
Yes, shoe requests must be made no less than 7 days prior to the shoe truck visit. Requests made on the Monday or Tuesday (day before and day of) the shoe truck visit will not be processed until the next shoe truck visit. Unfortunately, last minute requests cannot be accommodated.
UVA's main safety shoe provider is Red Wing Shoes, and shoes can be picked up at the on-site Red Wing shoe truck during the designated times (see schedule).
You can call the local Red Wing store at (434) 529-6761. If they are unable to help, fill out the Safety Shoe Comment Form
You must be eligible and have a valid UVA ID badge to pick up shoes from the shoe truck. However, the truck does have some ability to perform repairs onsite, if needed. Please only stop by during a slow time, as employees needing shoes have priority. Please note: Some repairs may need to be made off-site. If so, plan to have another pair of qualifying shoes available for work during this time.
Yes, the Red Wing shoe truck has a large inventory of different types and styles of shoes to accommodate all of UVA's employee needs and various working environments.
Examples of Safety Toe & Electrical-Hazard Shoes Available
Examples of Shoe Styles Available to Building & Custodial Services
Yes, there is a set allowance for safety shoes. If you desire a shoe that costs more than the allowance, you are responsible for paying the difference. Accessories are not part of the shoe allowance.
If your requirement is medical, please scan and email your doctor's note/prescription to fm-ohs@virginia.edu. FM-OHS will notify Red Wing prior to the shoe
truck visit so that they can stock the needed shoes, supplies, or equipment to fit your needs.
Red Wing shoes are able to accommodate all types of needs and special circumstances. The shoe truck
attendant is highly knowledgeable and skilled in providing the proper fit or special requirements to all
Facilities Management employees.
First, visit the Red Wing shoe truck during a scheduled time and let the attendant assess your shoes. There may be an option for repair. There are many instances when an employee's shoes wear out due to work requirements prior to their eligibility date. Contact your supervisor and determine your needs, then submit or have your supervisor submit a request via the Shoe Request Portal.
The Red Wing shoe truck is able to assist with routine maintenance and repairs on-site. In some cases, repairs may require something to be ordered, or even the shoe to be serviced beyond the truck's repair capabilities at a remote location. Red Wing offers free monthly maintenance, and everyone should take advantage of this perk. This will help maintain your foot's comfort, and the quality and integrity of your safety shoes.
Yes, employees remain on the list for 90 days or until they pick up their shoes, whichever is first. After 90 days, you or your supervisor must re-submit a request via the Shoe Request Portal.
Yes, training classes are offered on a routine basis. Please visit the training section for a list of available classes. Some examples are Forklift, OSHA 30, Confined Space and Fall Protection. Contact FM-OHS for more information.
Your first stop should be your supervisor, to determine if the training is required for your job, or if not, if they otherwise approve of your attending. Visit the FM-OHS training webpage, which lists all of the upcoming training courses that are scheduled, choose the course and the date, and then contact FM-OHS to be registered. If you have a need for a training that is not listed, fill out the Training Request Form and submit it to fm-ohs@virginia.edu. Someone will contact you.
New Employee Safety Training is scheduled the first Tuesday of every pay period and begins promptly at 7:30 a.m. New Facilities Management employees, including temporary workers are required to attend. Employees can bring a snack and beverage. Also, employees that receive a promotion to a supervisory role are required to attend. Notices are emailed to employees' supervisor from Facilities Management Human Resources & Training as notification and includes the training date and training location/meeting room.