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General Requirements

Accidental Spills and Releases

In the event of an accidental release or spill of chemicals, or other hazardous materials by the contractor, the contractor shall:

  • Immediately take action as appropriate to contain the spill (if this action can be taken without jeopardizing the health or safety of employees;
  • Notify the rescue squad, fire department, or other entities as needed or requested by calling 911;
  • Contact Environmental Health & Safety at 540-231-3600 (or via calling 911 after hours); and
  • Contact the university project manager.

All university costs associated with responding to, or remediating of, a chemical or hazardous material spill or release may be assessed to the contractor.

Emergency Notification System

VT Alerts if Virginia Tech’s emergency notification system. In the event of a campus emergency, Virginia Tech will use several information delivery methods to reach personnel. To sign up for VT Alerts, refer to Virginia Tech Emergency Management’s website at emergency.vt.edu.

First Aid Services

The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad will provide an emergency medical response to construction projects; however, the Rescue Squad cannot guarantee a minimum response time as required by OSHA, and may not be named in lieu of the contractor providing adequately trained personnel on-site.

Means of Egress

The contractor shall not conduct work or operations that obstruct exits or the means of egress from an occupied building without the prior approval of Environmental Health & Safety and the university project manager. Equipment and materials are not to be stored in exits or exit stairwells at any time, and may not be stored in the means of egress without prior approval. Fire-rated doors shall not be chocked or blocked open, except temporarily and while constantly supervised; such chocks/blocks must be immediately removed in the event of a building fire alarm or similar emergency. Contact Environmental Health & Safety at 540-231-4207 for more information.

Fire Protection and Suppression Systems

The contractor shall not conduct any work that disables or alters the functionality or technical specifications of fire protection and suppression systems without prior approval of the university project manager. Environmental Health & Safety must be notified and will secure any external approvals, as required. These systems include but are not limited to, fire-rated assemblies and enclosures, smoke barriers and partitions, fire alarm panels, exit signs and emergency lighting, sprinkler, and other suppression systems, heat and smoke detection, fire hydrants, fire department access, and fire pumps. Contact Environmental Health & Safety at 540-231-4207 for more information.

Building Alarms

In the event of a fire, sound the alarm and/or notify other building occupants immediately. Call 911 and report as much information as possible to the dispatcher. Contractor personnel shall respond appropriately to all alarms by exiting the building immediately and remaining at least 50 feet from the building to allow for emergency response access.

Compressed Gases

Compressed gases shall be stored, used, and transported in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC). New compressed gas installations shall comply with the VSFPC.

Temporary Structures

All tents, stages, and temporary structures shall comply with the requirements of university Policy 5406. 

Temporary Traffic Control

Work that falls under the Virginia Work Area Protection Manual (VWAPM), such as road/lane/sidewalk closures, minor road encroachments, or bicycle paths, must implement temporary traffic control measures in accordance with the VWAPM to properly regulate, warn, and guide vehicular, non-motorized, and pedestrian traffic on campus. Flagging operations must comply with VWAPM.

University Equipment

University equipment (ex. forklifts, aerial lifts, ladders, etc.) should not be loaned to contractors for liability and/or specialized training purposes. Contractors should provide the necessary equipment to perform the job.

Agencies With No Contractual Relationship

All agencies/firms conducting work on Virginia Tech property shall comply with the requirements of VDLI, OSHA and this program, even where no formal contractual relationship exists between Virginia Tech and the agency/firm. The agency/firm shall maintain appropriate insurance, including general liability, auto liability, and workers compensation insurance. Verification of insurance shall be coordinated with Virginia Tech's director of risk management, who may be reached at 540-231-7439, prior to the start of work. Such agencies/firms shall not, without prior written approval of Environmental Health & Safety:

  • Use a product(s) or material(s) that has a permissible exposure limit (PEL) established by OSHA or VDLI;
  • Damage or disturb any known or suspect asbestos materials or suspect lead-containing materials;
  • Enter into a confined space;
  • Work on any electrical system or utility;
  • Perform excavation or trenching activities;
  • Perform hot work operations; and/or
  • Access roofs of buildings.

If a hazardous condition is identified by Environmenteal Health & Safety during such work, it shall be immediately corrected.  If it cannot be immediately corrected, the agency/firm shall stop work and shall take effective steps to isolate the hazardous condition from personnel and the public. Repeat safety violations of a similar nature or willful disregard for VDLI/OSHA requirements, or the requirements outlined in this program will result in immediate removal from Virginia Tech property.

Work Site Inspections

Worksite inspections may be conducted by Environmental Health & Safety or other designated university personnel. These inspections are conducted solely for the benefit of the university, and shall not relieve the contractor of responsibility for enforcement of, and compliance with, VDLI and the OSHA regulations. 

In worksite conditions exist that potentially impact the safety of university employees, students, or the public, the university inspector shall issue a verbal or written warning to the  contractor and shall notify the university project manager. If the unsafe conditions cannot be immediately corrected and represent a danger or have the potential to harm university employees, students, or the public, then the university inspector will:

  • Assure that other university personnel, students, or the public present onsite are warned to avoid the area of the hazardous condition;
  • Detail the VDLI and/or OSHA violations that were noted, and explain the potential impact upon university employees, students or the public; and
  • Require that the university project manager have the contractor either stop work or implement measures to isolate the hazardous condition until the unsafe condition can be mitigated.

A formal written report of the violation(s) may be issued to the contractor. This report shall be copied to the university project manager.