Campus Security Policy

PCTI’s goal is to provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors. PCTI strives to achieve this mission through a community friendly approach that enhances safety through the visibility of security personnel, preventive patrols, 24-hour accessibility, positive conflict resolution, and crime prevention and awareness programs. The security is in charge of monitoring the facility and collaborates with local law enforcement and community organizations in fulfilling its mission. In addition to their role in keeping the campus community safe, the security officers are trained to assist in medical emergencies and have access to medical equipment for use in emergency situations.

PCTI has a detailed health and safety plan containing specific procedures to be carried out in the event of an emergency. This plan is reviewed with staff on a quarterly basis and is available to all students upon enrollment. PCTI’s campus crime report is updated annually and may be accessed by students and employees via its website at www.PCTI.edu. PCTI’s Health and Safety Plan is as follows:

HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN

I. INTRODUCTION

PCTI is committed to providing an environment that is healthy and safe for its employees, students and guests, in accordance with its mission statement. PCTI’s philosophy is that it is everyone’s responsibility, i.e., staff and students, to ensure the health and safety of everyone. The purpose of this plan is to establish procedures and duties, to promote planning, and to establish training for the staff to promote the health and safety of persons who enter PCTI’s facility. This plan is reviewed with staff on a quarterly basis at staff meetings. Students may receive a copy of the plan as part of their orientation packets upon enrolling or can access the plan on PCTI’s website at www.PCTI.edu.

II. PROVISIONS

1. All work assignments are to be carried out with health and safety in mind. All proper administrative office and classroom activities are to adhere to PCTI’s policy regarding health and safety.

2. Faculty and staff are to be reminded on a quarterly basis to follow PCTI’s health and safety guidelines and to diligently practice them.

3. Students are to receive a copy of the PCTI Health and Safety Plan as part of their enrollment packets upon enrolling.

4. Students are to have the Health and Safety Policy reviewed with them during their orientation/interview.

5. Every individual must know the potential hazards associated with their duties and follow all applicable safety
practices and procedures. The Associate Director will provide information to the staff and students on the specific hazards associated with their activities, if any, and the safety procedures to be followed. Faculty is to provide to students any health and safety plans specific to their training programs.

6. Should any faculty member implement specific health and safety guidelines for their classrooms, they will submit these guidelines to the Associate Director. These specific guidelines will be discussed as part of the quarterly discussion of the health and safety policy.

7. Every faculty and staff member is expected to report unsafe conditions to the Associate Director or Chief Administrative Officer. All unsafe conditions will be corrected immediately. The Chief Administrative Officer will maintain a record of all corrections.

8. Should the need arise, or if a health and safety issue arise prior to the quarterly meeting, PCTI faculty and staff will be informed at the next monthly staff meeting. In special cases, faculty and staff will be informed immediately of specific incidences requiring immediate attention and correction.

9. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to be aware of health and safety requirements at all times, recognizing and resolving potential safety and hazardous situations so that risks for employees, students, and visitors are identified and reduced or eliminated.

10. PCTI will conduct safety training on a yearly basis. This training will include fire prevention, fire extinguishers, building evacuation, completing accident/incident reports, and other matters deemed necessary by the Chief Administrative Officer.

11. PCTI will undergo regulatory inspections including safety surveys or inspections by outside agencies. The Harris County Fire Marshall shall conduct an annual inspection for fire and life safety. A private firm will perform safety inspections of fire extinguishers. Should any corrections be noted, PCTI will comply immediately.

12. Evacuation drills will be scheduled, conducted, and recorded by the Associate Director, who will plan, schedule, conduct, evaluate, and keep a record of evacuation drills.

III. SPECIFICS

1. BUILDING EXIT ACCESS

• Placement of furniture or equipment must not impede door exits, routes, or widths of the doors.

• The front door leading to the reception area should be unlocked at all times during business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., central time when there are occupants in the building.

2. BUILDING EVACUATION ROUTES

• Building evacuation route signs are posted in the building to identify the primary evacuation route and fire extinguishers. Exit signs are placed at both ends of the main hallways leading from all offices and classrooms. These building specific signs are helpful in directing occupants out of the building during an emergency. An instructor or administrative assistant should be contacted for information and assistance if the signs are not working.

3. EVACUATION

• Occupants should go to the nearest exit when instructed to do so by the Chief Administrative Officer or Associate Director. There is an exit at the front entrance to the building at the reception area, in the back hallway by the HVAC lab, and one exit in the student entrance. If access to the primary exit in the reception area is obstructed, the secondary exits off the rear of the building or in the student entrance should be used.

4. WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGE

• Remain calm; provide assistance to others if necessary.
• Move cautiously to a lighted area. Exits may be indicated by lighted signs if the emergency power is operating.
• Turn off and unplug computers and other voltage sensitive equipment.
• Call Centerpoint Energy at (713) 207-7777 and report the problem.

5. WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A FIRE

• Call 911
• Leave the building immediately and close the doors behind you.
• Evacuate the building, providing assistance to those who need it, i.e., physically challenged
• Do not enter the building until authorized by emergency personnel.
• If the fire is minor, that is, does not require calling the 911 Emergency Line, and can be extinguished by using a fire extinguisher, the incident must still be reported to the Associate Director or Chief Administrative Officer.
• Complete an Accident/Incident Report and submit it to the Associate Director.

6. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Portable fire extinguishers are provided in the facility and are available for use by trained staff. They are located in various locations throughout the building. Students and staff who have been trained on how to use a fire extinguisher may use them to extinguish minor fires. Individuals not trained to use fire extinguishers should not attempt to use one during a fire but should call the 911, evacuate the building, and report the fire immediately. An Accident/Incident Report should be completed and submitted to the Associate Director.

A quality fire protection company inspects fire extinguishers annually and records their inspection on the fire extinguisher’s tag.

7. HANDLING HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

Hazardous chemicals must be stored in cabinets or designated storage rooms. At no time are cleaning products or other chemicals to be exposed to student, staff or guests. The lids must be kept on chemical containers at all times.

8. MAINTAIN A SAFE WORK/CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

Laboratories should be orderly and organized at all times. Laboratory equipment and supplies must remain in the lab and not in the hallways or classrooms. Work and classroom areas should be as uncluttered as possible. Breakable items or items with substances that can spill should be kept away from the edges of counters, tables and desks.

9. HALLWAYS AND CORRIDORS MUST BE UNCLUTTERED

Corridors used for circulation between offices and classrooms must remain free of obstruction to assure clear and unobstructed access to the exit in the event of a building emergency. Equipment, furnishings, storage, and debris should not be placed in the corridors at any time.

10. DEALING WITH A SUSPICIOUS PERSON

• Do not physically confront the person.
• Do not let anyone into a locked building/office.
• Do not block the person’s access to an exit.Call 911.
• Provide as much information as possible about the person and their direction of travel.
• Contact the Associate Director or Chief Administrative Officer

11. HOW TO HANDLE A SUSPICIOUS OBJECT

• Do not touch or disturb the object.
• Call 911.
• Provide as much information as possible about the object.
• Contact the Associate Director or Chief Administrative Officer.
• Be prepared to evacuate.

IV. WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

1. For emergency assistance, dial “911.” Fire and police resources will respond to “911” calls.

2. Complete an Injury/Incident Report Form. This form must be completed promptly and submitted to the Associate

3. Director or Chief Administrative Officer.

4. The Associate Director will evaluate the report, take prompt and appropriate action, and maintain an incident log.

5. Telephones – The office telephone will be used to the extent possible. In case of system failure or a power failure,

6. campus phones will not function. An alternative would be the use of personal cell phones. The administrative assistant and other available staff will serve as messengers if phone communication is not an option.

7. Alarm System – The building alarm system is monitored for alarm by a contracted service. All alarms result in an automatic response by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department.

V. REPORTING AND INVESTIGATING ACCIDENTS

It is important to obtain as much information as possible about the accident, including the date, date of the week, time of occurrence, the location, the person/victim, and whether he or she is a student, instructor, staff member, or visitor. Obtain the person’s full name taking care to spell it correctly. This information is to be written on the Accident/Incident Report form.

It is also important to provide as much information as possible about the incident or accident as possible. Write a detailed account of the event, using the back of the form/or attaching a separate piece of paper. Write the person’s name on the back of the form with the date. Be very specific about what happened. If there are any witnesses, i.e., students, staff or visitors, get their names. It will also be helpful to get their phone numbers. If you do not witness the event directly, it may be necessary or helpful to obtain written statements from witnesses.

Always sign the Accident/Incident report form. Submit it to the Associate Director or Chief Administrative Officer.

EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION

New employees will be informed of the Health and Safety Plan as part of their orientation.

REVISIONS TO THE PLAN

Revisions to the plan will be routed to all staff, and they will be reminded of the plan as necessary and encouraged to discuss the plan with their students, visitors, and in staff meetings.