Faculty Liability for Safety in the Classroom
Faculty have specific responsibilities and liabilities in
the instructional setting whenever activities involve more
than an ordinary degree of risk. Faculty members are entitled
to indemnification and legal defense for alleged acts or omissions
occurring within the course of scope of their employment,
unless such acts or omissions involve fraud, corruption, or
actual malice. Following university safety rules, using safety
equipment, and supervision students in the instructional setting
will provide evidence of conduct that is within the course
and scope of employment.
Faculty members must always:
- Inform students of all risks inherent in the class, lab
or activity including dangerous substances, equipment or
procedures.
- Instruct students on how to properly and safely handle
all such dangerous items or activities.
- Exercise a degree of supervision over student activities
appropriate with the possible degree of hazard involved.
- Enforce all applicable safety regulations developed by
the department or Environmental Health and Instructional
Safety.
- Inform students of campus emergency procedures specific
to the classroom or laboratory. This includes response
to emergency evacuation, fires, chemical spill, and earthquakes;
location of the nearest emergency exits; reporting an emergency
using the campus 911 emergency number; proper procedures
in case of an injury.
- Minimize the risks associated with field trips and other
off campus activities by informing students of the risks
inherent in the field activity, exercising a degree of supervision
over the class activity appropriate with the degree of hazards
involved, inform students of campus emergency procedures
and explain their application in the field, ensure that
no alcohol or controlled substances are transported in university
vehicles, and notify University Police in the event of a
serious injury, death, or extensive property damage.
Date: 9/6/1984, Revised: 9/16/2004 TW