Contractor's Guide to Safety

Safety Policy

Bentley University is committed to protecting the integrity of the university's human, physical, and financial resources. We recognize our responsibility to manage our business in such a way that these resources are conserved and utilized effectively and safely. Accordingly, our policy is to:

  • Furnish a workplace free from recognized hazards, which supports general safety and health.
  • Comply with laws and regulations set forth pertaining to Environmental, Fire and general Safety and Health.
  • Recognize that Safety and Health issues are accepted as a high-priority concern at Bentley.
  • Provide a professional Safety Department that acts as a resource to promote and support Safety and Health programs and to assist in employee training and interpretations of applicable codes.
  • Hold every employee accountable for attending Safety training as required and to comply with all Safety policies and procedures as necessary.
  • Develop and implement a Safety Policies and Procedures Manual outlining specific Safety requirements adopted by Bentley.
  • Monitor and audit Safety trainings, compliance, and policy development on an annual basis.

Introduction

The main objective of the Bentley Safety program is the prevention of injury. It is mandatory that you, as a contractor, and all of your employees including subcontractors read and follow the contents of this briefing as well as comply with all federal, state, local, and Bentley safety and health code requirements.

Prior to starting major work at Bentley, the Project Manager (PM) must contact the office of Life Safety Services (LSS) to ensure that all necessary fire, health and safety precautions are established. The PM must enforce these and the following policies.

This briefing is intended to protect Bentley staff, faculty, students and the general public from the hazards created by construction and maintenance activities, as well as to protect contractor workers from the hazards of the surrounding environment.

General Safety Rules

  • These requirements are not to be considered all-inclusive. 
    The general contractor acknowledges the responsibility to communicate the safety requirements listed herein to all their employees as well as subcontractor employees.
  • The contractor must provide written proof of current workers compensation and general liability insurance before beginning work on Bentley property.
  • The Director of Facilities Management or a designated manager has the authority to halt any contractor from conducting work when a contractor disregards any established safety and health standards.
  • Emergencies such as fires, flooding, and severe injuries must be reported to Campus Police. This includes any serious accident, whether or not personal injury is involved.
  • When working in areas that present safety hazards to personnel, warning signs and/or barricades shall be placed in effective locations to prevent unauthorized entry.
  • Weapons, dogs, illegal drugs, and liquor are not permitted on construction sites, and all speed limits (20 mph), stop signs, and other traffic regulations shall be followed.
  • Contractors must consult with LSS regarding a permit for welding, cutting, open flame use and fire protection shutdown systems.
  • Smoking in buildings, including construction sites, is prohibited.
  • Any deviation from any safety requirements must be in writing from the Manger of Life Safety or his/her designee.

Fire Sprinkler Systems

  • Construction materials or other equipment shall not be placed upon or suspended from any fire sprinkler pipes, valves, or supports.
  • No work shall be performed on, or any valve opened or closed, on any fire sprinkler system without the prior approval of LSS.

Ladders and Scaffolds

  • Contractors must furnish ladders for use by their employees and such equipment must be used safely.
  • The use of broken or faulty ladders is prohibited.
  • Portable metal ladders must not be used on electrical conductors or equipment, or in the immediate vicinity of exposed electrical conductors. Fiberglass ladders only.
  • Scaffolds shall be installed and used in accordance with current OSHA standards.

General Housekeeping Rules

  • Aisles, doors, fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, stairways, and other emergency-type equipment shall be kept clear and readily accessible at all times.
  • Nails protruding from boards must be removed.
  • Combustible construction scrap (wood, paper, cardboard, etc.) accumulating inside a building shall either be removed daily or placed in a metal container with a tight cover at the end of each workday.
  • The contractor shall provide for the collection, segregation, and legal disposal of all hazardous and general waste in compliance with OSHA, EPA, and/or DOT standards.
  • Temporary or permanent overhead storage of debris, tools, equipment, or pipes is prohibited. This includes the area above suspended ceiling panels.
  • All walking surfaces shall be free of splinters, nails, or other protrusions which may cause injury.
  • The work area must be kept as clean as possible at all times.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Eye protection (face shields, goggles, etc.) must be worn while:
    • drilling, chipping, grinding, jack hammering, breaking bricks/concrete, welding, and any other operation which creates a possible eye hazard.
  • Fall protection shall be worn at elevated locations which are not protected by guard rails. This applies to any roof and when in a bucket truck or lift.
  • Hard hats shall be worn in all construction sites where there is a potential of falling objects from elevated locations. "Hard Hat Required" signs shall be posted in an area where anyone entering the site will see it clearly.

Chemicals

  • Containers of flammable/toxic materials shall be kept covered while not in use.
  • Contractors shall provide LSS with all Material Safety Data Sheets for each hazardous substance to be used prior to bringing such materials onto Bentley property.
  • Contractors must inform LSS prior to performing work which generates vapors (epoxy, solvents, etc.). LSS will review with Facilities Management to determine HVAC impact.
  • Any material spills shall be reported immediately to Campus Police. Contractors are required to arrange clean up of spills at their root and assume liability for damages. Immediate evacuation of the building may be required prior to fumes entering vents.

Confined Spaces

  • Confined spaces include: storage tanks, bins, sewers, vaults, boilers, etc.
  • Before entering, the contractor must perform OSHA required testing and follow all required procedures, including the use of a tripod and an attendant.
  • Permits for "Permit Required" confined spaces must be obtained from LSS.

Floor or Roof Openings

  • Floor/roof openings shall be guarded by barriers, railings, and/or a covering material.
  • Barrier covers shall be provided by the contractor and bear letters no less than 1" high reading; "Do Not Remove".
  • The contractor shall notify LSS prior to making any roof penetrations and insure penetration is sealed if left unattended for extended periods of time. 

Electrical Safety

  • Metal parts of fixed, portable, or plug-connected equipment that do not carry a current shall be grounded.
  • Extension cords shall be UL approved, be the three-wire type, and shall not be used if worn or frayed (including electrically taped).
  • Temporary light fixtures shall be guarded to prevent contact.
  • Contractors are responsible to provide their own Lockout/Tagout equipment.
  • GFI protected circuits must be utilized when applicable and GFI extension cords must be provided by the contractor.

Excavations and Trenches

  • The contractor shall comply with OSHA requirements dealing with excavation and shall notify the Facilities Department and/or LSS prior to commencing work.
  • Before excavation begins, the locations of underground pipes, cables, etc., must be determined and action must be taken to prevent accidents.
  • Walls and space of excavations more the 5’ deep require an OSHA permit and shall be guarded by shoring, sloping of the ground, or other means per OSHA guidelines.
  • Trenches across roads shall be covered at all times with steel plates made for that purpose, except when workers are in the trenches.
  • Asphalt installation shall be scheduled immediately upon completion of backfilling of the trench. When this is not possible, the contractor shall fill the trench with sand or fill material to bring it up to top of asphalt, and shall monitor to ensure traffic does not result in removal of fill material.
  • All contractor equipment shall be kept out of traffic lanes and walkways and trenching guards shall consist of wooden or metal barricades spaced side by side.
  • A minimum of 2 battery-lighted barricades shall be used at corners and where traffic approaches the trench at right angles. Where trenches parallel roads, distance between lighted barricades shall not exceed 40’. Also, LSS must be notified if there is a need for a traffic director.
  • Handrails shall consist of an intermediate and top rail on both sides of the bridge. The top rail shall be minimum of 42" high and should be capable of withstanding lateral force of 200 lbs. against its center.

Additional Safety Instructions

  • Each contractor shall provide their employees with any additional required safety instructions as applicable to each employee’s job prior to the start of the job, including, as a minimum, the OSHA requirements specific to the task to be done.
  • The contractor and all sub-contractors must meet all applicable safety requirements in the performance of work on Bentley property, whether or not such requirements are addressed in this pamphlet.
  • LSS is available for consultation on these matters and other safety issues.
  • Remember, safety is a vital part of Bentley. The contractor is urged to:
        • Think safety before you work
        • Perform safely as you work
        • Leave your work area in a safe condition

Important Phone Numbers

  • Facilities Management    
    781.891.2205
  • Campus Police
    781.891.2201
  • Life Safety Services
    781.891.2281