1.12—Representing Safety in Photographs

Effective: 07/12/2013
Last Updated: 04/10/2017
Senate Proposal: No
Responsible University Officer: Vice President for Research
Responsible Office: Vice President for Research

Policy Statement

Photos that are to be used in a University publication piece (print or electronic) must represent the appropriate safety precautions.

Policy Requirements

In an effort to ensure an appropriate image of safety in University laboratories and work areas, the lab supervisor, lab occupants, or work area supervisor shall:

• Ensure the area has been made safe by relocating chemicals from the vicinity of the photo-shoot and shutting down unnecessary equipment.
• Work with the photographer to identify the appropriate personal safety equipment worn in the laboratory and the appropriate safety equipment for the activity being portrayed in the photograph.
• Refer to the personal safety equipment list of information (see Appendix A - List of Standard Personal Safety Equipment) in selection of the appropriate personal safety equipment to be worn for the photograph. The list will serve as a guide to the photographer and lab personnel in working with the subjects to depict a scenario in which safety is a priority.

Artistic photographs of individuals shall not be taken in areas or situations where it would appear personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.

At a minimum, the personal protection equipment (PPE) described in Appendix A shall be used even if it exceeds the actual requirements for the procedure being performed. Contact Michigan Tech Occupational Safety and Health Services with any questions about the appropriate PPE for the photograph.

Reason for Policy

Photographs in Michigan Tech publications, web sites, and magazines are used to convey an image of the University to the outside community. Safety is one of the University's highest priorities, and photographs taken in University laboratories and work areas, no matter the activity, must convey the proper image of safety.

Related Policy Information

Students or employees photographed in laboratories should wear the level of personal safety equipment that would be considered, by the community (such as industry), as the standard for the activity. This may result in a different level of protection than what is actually required for the activity. For example, a student in a photograph is holding a beaker which contains only water, but viewers of the picture may have no knowledge of the beaker’s contents. To convey the proper image of safety, this student should be wearing the level of personal safety equipment appropriate for a chemical laboratory. Similar standards apply to photographs in other work settings.

 Refer to Appendix A for a list of standard personal safety equipment for typical activities in the following types of laboratories or work areas:  

• Chemical and Biological Laboratory/Activities
• Machine Shop, Automotive Shop or Mechanical Laboratory/Activities
• Electrical Laboratory/Activities
• Construction Site/Field Work

Contacts

Definitions

Publication – Includes, but is not limited to:  books, magazines, newspapers, journals, pamphlets, web sites, videos, television.

Responsibilities

Lab Supervisor/Lab Occupant – Works with the photographer to help identify the appropriate personal safety equipment to be worn for the activity being portrayed in the photograph; ensures the area is safe by relocating chemicals from the vicinity of the photo shoot and shutting down unnecessary equipment.

Occupational Safety and Health Services – Works with the photographer or other personnel regarding appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE).

Photographer – Works with the lab supervisor, lab occupant, and/or work area supervisor to help identify the appropriate personal safety equipment to be worn for the activity being portrayed in the photograph.

Work Area Supervisor – Works with the photographer to help identify the appropriate personal safety equipment to be worn for the activity being portrayed in the photograph; ensures the area is safe for the photo shoot.

Appendices

• Appendix A - List of Standard Personal Safety Equipment

Adoption Date

Revisions