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206 Health and Safety 

Boston University endeavors to provide a safe and healthy environment for its employees, students, visitors, and other personnel while on University premises.

206.1  General Responsibilities 

Supervisors are responsible for establishing procedures, practices, and programs that minimize the risk of personal injury to the employees that they supervise, as well as students, visitors, and other personnel who use University facilities and/or equipment under their control or jurisdiction. Supervisors are also expected to report immediately any potentially unsafe or hazardous condition to the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Supervisors are encouraged to contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety and/or Human Resources for assistance in improving safety procedures, practices, and programs. 

Employees are required to follow the procedures and practices that have been established for their safety and the safety of others. This includes but is not limited to the use of safety and environmental protection devices when required and adherence to procedures outlined in the Boston University Safety Emergency Instructions. Employees are expected to report immediately any potentially unsafe or hazardous conditions to their supervisor. 

206.2  Work Related Injuries 

Employees must report all work-related injuries or illnesses, no matter how slight, to management as soon as possible.  

The forms that must be completed, reviewed, and returned to the Office of Risk Management can be found on the Incident and Claims Reporting webpage (https://www.bu.edu/cfo/risk-management/incident-and-claims-reporting-procedures/). The Office of Risk Management will review and monitor all reports of work-related injuries and will be responsible for obtaining any required medical documentation. 

Employees who are injured in the course of employment must be evaluated at the University’s Occupational Health Center, located at 930 Commonwealth Avenue for employees at the Charles River Campus, or at Occupational Emergency Medicine located at 850 Harrison Avenue for employees at the Medical Campus. If the injury requires emergency treatment at a hospital, or if the injury occurs when the Occupational Health Center is closed, the employee must call the center within twenty-four (24) hours to schedule an appointment at the center. 

206.3  Workers’ Compensation Benefits 

All employees are covered under the University’s Workers’ Compensation policy as required by applicable law. The University’s Workers’ Compensation policy provides for the payment of medical expenses and weekly compensation payments during the period of an employee’s work-related injury or illness. 

The University’s full Workers’ Compensation Benefits policy can be accessed at the following link: https://www.bu.edu/hr/health-wellness/disability/workers-compensation/  

The incident must be reported to ensure claims are processed promptly. Failure to follow University procedures may affect employees’ eligibility to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits. 

Workers’ compensation is solely a monetary benefit and not a leave of absence, unless otherwise provided by applicable law. For information regarding leaves of absence that may be available while receiving these benefits, please refer to the leaves of absence policies in Section 303 of this Handbook and/or contact hr@bu.edu.   

206.4  Witnessing a Workplace Injury 

Employees who witness a personal injury or an accident on University premises or at a University activity are expected to report promptly the incident to:  https://www.bu.edu/buohc/occupational-injury-or-illness/for-employees.  

 Employees who receive any form of communication, correspondence, or inquiry from any source concerning an observed workplace injury or accident are expected to immediately notify the Office of Risk Management. Employees should not provide any oral or written statements or reports concerning an observed injury or accident to any attorney, investigator or other party without first contacting the Office of Risk Management. 

 206.5  Returning to Work Following a Work-Related Injury 

Employees who experience a work-related injury must notify their manager and complete a Work Injury Report that will be reviewed by Occupational Health to determine necessary follow-up. When an injury results in lost time from work, employees must contact Occupational Health for a return-to-work evaluation and clearance. During this evaluation Occupational Health will assess the employee’s ability to return to work “full duty” or if a reasonable accommodation is needed to enable the employee to safely perform the essential function of their job. Accommodations provided will align with medical restrictions directly related to the work injury. 

 206.6  Related Considerations 

Employees with questions concerning any financial, legal, or other aspect of an occupational injury should direct such questions to the Office of Risk Management. 

Employees are encouraged to contact the Occupational Health Center for assistance with the prevention of occupational injuries and treatment of occupational injuries when they occur. 

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