Integrated Safety Plan
Mark Linsenbigler
The Integrated Safety Plan or "ISP" is an incentive based approach which promotes broader employee involvement in workplace safety and health. The basis of this plan is to create a partnership between EHS and participating units at the departmental level. The ISP creates a "structure" for managing safety and health within the department. Taking a structured approach to safety and health will yield numerous benefits to the department including an enhanced safety culture, reduced risk of injury, and improved regulatory compliance. In addition to these benefits, EHS will offer financial incentives in the form of regulatory indemnity and cost sharing to those departments that effectively implement the ISP.
Under the ISP partnership, departments agree to implement three "core elements" in exchange for the financial incentives offered by EHS. The three core elements of the ISP are:
Leadership Commitment
The first core element of the ISP is leadership commitment. Leadership alone can make safety a key business goal and provide the necessary resources to achieve safety objectives. Employees within every organization take their cues from administrators, managers, and supervisors. If leadership consistently treats safety as a priority, so will the rest of the work group.
In order to achieve and maintain ISP certification, the department must take the following actions relating to leadership commitment:
ISP Phase 1 Actions:
- Visibly demonstrate leadership commitment to workplace safety and health.
- Clearly assign and communicate safety responsibilities to all employees.
- Ensure leadership is aware of relevant injury and illness statistics.
ISP Phase 2 Actions:
- Implement system for ensuring safety responsibilities are met.
- Integrate safety into planning processes.
- Periodically establish safety goals and metrics for the department.
The ISP Workbook provides further guidance on these actions. Environmental Health and Safety is also available to provide assistance in implementing the "Leadership Commitment" element.
Employee Involvement
Employee involvement is the second core element of the ISP. Leadership commitment and employee involvement are complementary forces. Leadership commitment provides the motivating force and the resources for accomplishing safety objectives within an organization. Employee involvement provides the means through which employees develop and express a commitment to workplace safety.
In order to achieve and maintain ISP certification, the department must take the following actions relating to employee involvement:
ISP Phase 1 Actions:
- Establish a departmental safety committee that effectively represents all employees.
- Develop mechanisms through which all employees can effectively communicate safety concerns and offer suggestions for safety-related improvements.
ISP Phase 2 Actions:
- Allow employees opportunities for direct involvement in safety efforts.
The ISP Workbook provides further guidance on these actions. Environmental Health and Safety is also available to provide assistance in implementing the "Employee Involvement" element.
Self-Review
Completion of self-reviews is the third core element of the ISP. Participating departments must review their internal operations in order to identify potential hazards and compliance gaps. The self-review process is initially geared toward assessing program gaps and must be complemented by periodic workplace inspections. Objectives related to program implementation and continual improvement can be developed based on the self-review results, thus creating safer workplaces.
In order to achieve and maintain ISP certification, the department must take the following actions relating to self-reviews:
ISP Phase 1 Actions:
- Identify the general safety issues which affect the department.
ISP Phase 2 Actions:
- Identify program gaps.
- Prioritize program gaps.
- Close program gaps.
The ISP Workbook provides further guidance on these actions. Environmental Health and Safety is also available to provide assistance in implementing the "Self-Review" element.
The following tools are used to identify program gaps during the ISP self-review process:
- ISP Self-Review Part I
- ISP Self-Review Part II
The following forms have been developed to help departments identify specific hazards within their work areas:
- General Workplace Inspection Form
- Kitchen Safety Inspection Form
- Lab Safety Inspection Form
- Office Safety Inspection Form
- Shop Safety Inspection Form
Implementation Phases
Each core element of the ISP has been broken down into distinct "phases" in order to ease implementation. A table depicting these phases is located below. Please note that there are no time limits associated with these phases; it is up to the department to decide how quickly they can effectively move through the process. As indicated in the table, EHS will grant the financial incentives to the department after completing the first phase of each element. In order to remain eligible for the financial incentives, the department must complete the remaining phases and then maintain each element over time.
It must be stressed that EHS recognizes the need for flexibility when considering how to best implement each core element. We have attempted to take a non-prescriptive approach with this plan and will strive to work with each department to find the "best fit" for the ISP based on their work culture and circumstances.
Leadership Commitment
- Phase 1
- Visibly demonstrate leadership commitment to workplace safety and health
- Clearly assign and communicate safety responsibilities to all employees
- Ensure leadership is aware of relevant injury and illness statistics
- Phase 2
- Implement a system to ensure employee safety responsibilities are met
- Integrate safety into planning processes
- Periodically establish departmental safety goals and performance metrics
Employee Involvement
- Phase 1
- Establish a departmental safety committee that effectively represents all employees
- Develop mechanisms for employees to communicate safety concerns and suggest improvements
- Phase 2
- Provide employees with opportunities for direct involvement in safety efforts
Self‑Review
- Phase 1
- Identify general safety issues that impact the department
- Identify safety and program gaps
- Phase 2
- Prioritize program gaps and develop an implementation strategy
- Close identified program gaps
Departments that complete all Phase I Leadership Commitment and Phase I Employee Involvement items are eligible for indemnity. Completion of the Phase I Self‑Review item makes the department eligible for cost sharing. To continue eligibility for both indemnity and cost sharing, departments must complete all Phase II requirements.
EHS will serve as an active partner in the ISP process by providing tools, resources, and consultation to participating departments. EHS will also assess department efforts in order to determine whether or not the ISP criteria have been successfully met. Those departments that meet the criteria will be recognized as being "ISP certified" by EHS and thus become eligible for incentives.
Program Applicability
ISP is a voluntary program available to Penn State academic and administrative units that choose to participate. Departments partner with EHS to build a structured approach to workplace safety by implementing three core elements—leadership commitment, employee involvement, and self‑review. Units that meet ISP requirements may earn ISP certification and qualify for EHS incentives, such as regulatory indemnity and cost sharing. The ISP does not replace required safety and compliance programs, and all applicable EHS requirements continue to apply whether or not a unit participates.
Program Requirements
Departments that choose to participate in the Integrated Safety Plan (ISP) must partner with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and commit to building a structured, ongoing approach to workplace safety. Participating units are expected to meet the following requirements:
- Implement the ISP’s three core elements:
- Leadership commitment
- Employee involvement
- Self‑review
- Establish and maintain a structured approach to managing departmental safety and health
- Complete self‑reviews to identify hazards, assess safety programs, and address gaps
- Work with EHS during evaluations to confirm ISP criteria are met
- Maintain ISP elements over time to remain eligible for ISP certification
- Continue to follow all applicable EHS safety and regulatory requirements, as ISP participation does not replace required programs
Documentation and Forms
- ISP Summary: This document provides an overview of the ISP process. It includes a table which outlines the expectations for each core element and the corresponding financial incentives.
- ISP Workbook: This workbook has been developed in order to guide participating groups through the process of implementing the Integrated Safety Plan or "ISP". It reviews each of the three core elements and provides direction in how to effectively develop each one. The workbook also provides an overview of the benefits and incentives associated with the ISP.
- Summary of Financial Incentives: Two financial incentives (regulatory indemnity and cost sharing) are available to groups who successfully implement the ISP and subsequently become "certified" by Environmental Health and Safety. This document provides a summary of each financial incentive and outlines the procedure for requesting cost sharing funds.
- Form for Requesting Cost Sharing Funds
The following tools are used to identify program gaps during the ISP self-review process:
- ISP Self-Review Part I
- ISP Self-Review Part II
The following forms help departments identify specific hazards within their work areas:
- General Workplace Inspection Form
- Kitchen Safety Inspection Form
- Lab Safety Inspection Form
- Office Safety Inspection Form
- Shop Safety Inspection Form
Program Specific Information
University Park ISP Participants
Auxiliary and Business Services
- Bryce Jordan Center — Primary Contact: Phil Stout (Certified: June 2014)
- Food Services (University Park) — Primary Contact: Jim Meinecke (Certified: June 2014)
- Hospitality Services — Primary Contact: Jim Purdum (Certified: June 2014)
- Housing (University Park) — Primary Contact: Conal Carr (Certified: June 2014)
- Multimedia & Print Center — Primary Contact: Abbas Badani (Certified: June 2014)
- Procurement Services — Primary Contact: Joyce Haney (Certified: June 2014)
- Transportation Services — Primary Contact: Rob DeMayo (Certified: June 2014)
- University Airport — Primary Contact: Bryan Rodgers (Certified: June 2014)
College of Agricultural Sciences
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering — Primary Contact: Randall Bock (Certified: July 2013)
- Animal Diagnostics Laboratory — Primary Contact: Traci Pierre (Certified: August 2013)
- Animal Science Labs — Primary Contact: Jen Williams (Certified: March 2025)
- Beef and Sheep Center / Haller Farm — Primary Contact: Wendall Landis (Certified: August 2023)
- Berkey Creamery — Primary Contact: Tom Davis (Certified: December 2017)
- Dairy Barns — Primary Contacts: Travis Edwards; Nadine Houck (Certified: December 2023)
- Deer Research Center — Primary Contact: Don Wagner (Certified: July 2023)
- Farm Operations — Primary Contact: Kasey Snell (Certified: December 2020)
- Poultry Education and Research Center — Primary Contact: Scott Kephart (Certified: June 2023)
- Rock Springs — Primary Contact: Kasey Snell (Certified: December 2020)
- Swine Education and Research Farm — Primary Contacts: Mark Kreidler; Ben Kline (Certified: June 2023)
College of Arts and Architecture
- School of Visual Arts — Primary Contact: Matt Olson (Certified: May 2014)
- School of Theatre — Primary Contact: Chris Swetcky (Certified: November 2016)
College of Engineering
- Acoustics Program — Primary Contact: Dr. Stephen Thompson; Certification Date: March 2016
- Aerospace Engineering — Primary Contact: Rick Auhl; Certification Date: July 2015
- Architectural Engineering — Primary Contact: Paul Kremer; Certification Date: July 2015
- Biomedical Engineering — Primary Contact: Dr. Justin Brown; Certification Date: August 2013
- Chemical Engineering — Primary Contact: Roger Dunlap; Certification Date: September 2012
- Civil and Environmental Engineering — Primary Contact: David Faulds; Certification Date: February 2016
- Computer Science and Engineering — Primary Contact: Beth Kennedy; Certification Date: August 2015
- Dean's Office, Engineering Shop, and Learning Factory — Primary Contact: Josh Troxell; Certification Date: June 2015
- Electrical Engineering — Primary Contact: Dave DeCapria; Certification Date: July 2013
- Engineering Science and Mechanics — Primary Contact: Scott Kralik; Certification Date: July 2015
- Facilities Engineering Institute — Primary Contact: Rob Pacella; Certification Date: August 2015
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering — Primary Contact: Michael Immel; Certification Date: July 2015
- Larson Transportation Institute — Primary Contact: Frank Butts; Certification Date: July 2015
- Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering — Primary Contact: James Miller; Certification Date: July 2015
- Radiation Science and Engineering Center — Primary Contact: Mark Trump; Certification Date: August 2015
- School of Engineering Design, Technology, and Professional Programs (SEDDTAP) — Primary Contact: Mike Gorta; Certification Date: July 2015
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
- Dutton e‑Education Institute — Primary Contact: Dr. Ann Taylor; Certification Date: May 2020
- Earth and Environmental Systems Institute — Primary Contact: Brandon Forsythe; Certification Date: February 2020
- EMS Administrative Offices — Primary Contact: Frank Driscoll; Certification Date: February 2020
- Energy and Mineral Engineering — Primary Contact: Tom Motel; Certification Date: February 2020
- Geography — Primary Contact: Melissa Weaver; Certification Date: July 2018
- Geosciences — Primary Contact: Dennis Walizer; Certification Date: February 2020
- Materials Science and Engineering — Primary Contact: Scott Henninger; Certification Date: January 2013
- Meteorology — Primary Contact: Bob Zeigler; Certification Date: February 2020
College of Health and Human Development
- Kinesiology — Primary Contact: Katie Dry and Mary Waechter; Certification Date: March 2024
- Nutritional Sciences — Primary Contact: Dr. Joshua Gross and Dr. Rachel Walker; Certification Date: January 2025
Eberly College of Science
- Chemistry — Primary Contact: Rob Gavlock; Certification Date: February 2013
- Physics — Primary Contact: Melissa Diamanti; Certification Date: October 2024
Information Technology Services
A single ISP team has been established within Information Technology Services which represents the following groups. John Williams serves as the primary contact for this team.
- Associate Vice Provost Office for ITS
- Administrative Information Services
- Data Center
- Identity Services
- Security Operations and Services
- Services and Solutions
- Teaching and Learning with Technology
- Telecommunications and Networking Services
Office of Physical Plant
- Building Services — Primary Contact: Les Weyandt; Certification Date: September 2012
- Custodial Services — Primary Contact: Rob Gavlock; Certification Date: August 2014
- Central Support Services — Primary Contact: Nadine Davitt; Certification Date: March 2017
- Environmental Health and Safety — Primary Contact: Mark Linsenbigler; Certification Date: September 2012
- Garage Services — Primary Contact: Dave Demko; Certification Date: September 2012
- Landscape — Primary Contact: Ryan McCaughey; Certification Date: September 2012
- Maintenance Programs — Primary Contact: Mike Snider; Certification Date: September 2012
- Renovation Services — Primary Contact: Ray Sowers; Certification Date: August 2013
- Steam Services — Primary Contact: Paul Moser; Certification Date: September 2012
- Utility Services — Primary Contact: Dave Burns; Certification Date: September 2012
Office of the Vice President for Research
- Animal Resource Program — Primary Contact: Jennifer Kuhns; Certification Date: October 2011
- Electro‑Optics Center — Primary Contact: Bill Everson; Certification Date: April 2012
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences — Primary Contact: Michael Uchneat; Certification Date: September 2016
- Materials Research Institute — Primary Contact: Sarah Eichfeld; Certification Date: July 2013
Outreach and Online Education
A single ISP team has been established within Outreach and Online Education which represents all subgroups. Christina McGinley serves as the primary contact for this team.
Smeal College of Business
A single ISP team has been established within the Smeal College of Business which represents the following groups. Tina Hall serves as the primary contact for this team.
- Administrative Offices
- Academic Departments
- Research Centers
Student Affairs
- University Health Services — Primary Contact: Bob Edwards; Certification Date: February 2012
- Campus Recreation — Primary Contact: Shawn DeRosa; Certification Date: December 2017
University Library
A single ISP team has been established within University Libraries which represents the following groups. Len White serves as the primary contact for this team.
- Access Services
- Administrative Offices
- Cataloging and Metadata Services
- Digitization and Preservation
- Inactive Records Center
- Information Technology (ITech)
- MediaTech (A/V Services)
- Paterno Libraries Shipping and Receiving
- Penn State Press Staff Offices
- Penn State Press Warehouse Operations
- Serials and Acquisitions
- Subject Libraries
Campus ISP Participants
Abington
Maintenance — Primary Contact: Theresa Giardino; Certification Date: May 2017
Altoona
- Arts and Humanities (Academic Affairs) — Primary Contact: Eleanor Feeley; Certification Date: November 2014
- Engineering (Academic Affairs) — Primary Contact: Eric Beaver; Certification Date: August 2013
- Math and Natural Sciences (Academic Affairs) — Primary Contact: Mark Hoover; Certification Date: November 2014
- Housing and Food Services — Primary Contact: Alison Bonsell; Certification Date: June 2014
- Facilities and Operations (Business Operations) — Primary Contact: Michael Long; Certification Date: November 2014
- Police and Safety (Business Operations) — Primary Contact: Michael Lowery; Certification Date: November 2014
- Athletics (Student Affairs) — Primary Contact: John Carey; Certification Date: November 2014
Beaver
- Academic Affairs — Primary Contact: Carey McDougall; Certification Date: August 2014
- Housing and Food Services — Primary Contact: Jeremy Lindner; Certification Date: June 2014
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Dave Hunt; Certification Date: August 2014
- Police and Business Services — Primary Contact: Anthony Budris; Certification Date: August 2014
- Student Affairs and Athletics — Primary Contact: Amy Gartley; Certification Date: November 2014
Berks
- EBC (Engineering, Business, & Computing) and HASS (Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences) Divisions — Primary Contact: Dr. Janelle Larson Dr. Belen Rodriguez‑Mourelo; Certification Date: May 2014
- Housing and Food Services — Primary Contact: Kathy Ashby; Certification Date: May 2014
- Maintenance and Operations — Primary Contact: Mark Dawson; Certification Date: May 2014
- Police Services — Primary Contact: Kevin Rudy; Certification Date: May 2014
- Science Division — Primary Contact: Dr. Pradip Bandyopadohyay; Certification Date: May 2014
Brandywine
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Tony Montagna; Certification Date: September 2015
- Academic Affairs — Primary Contact: Dr. Kurtis Kistler; Certification Date: May 2018
Carlisle (Dickinson School of Law)
Maintenance — Primary Contact: Karlisma Souders
DuBois
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: John Luchini; Certification Date: November 2014
- Police Services — Primary Contact: John Licatovich
Erie, The Behrend College
- Housing and Food Services — Primary Contact: Michael Lindner; Certification Date: June 2014
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Shawn Limrick; Certification Date: August 2013
- Police Services — Primary Contact: James Amann; Certification Date: November 2013
- School of Engineering — Primary Contact: Dr. Greg Dillon; Certification Date: January 2015
- School of Science — Primary Contact: Dr. Michael Campbell; Certification Date: May 2014
Fayette
- Academic Affairs — Primary Contact: Dr. Charles Patrick; Certification Date: February 2015
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Paul Mihalko; Certification Date: August 2014
- Police and Business Services — Primary Contact: Scott Williams; Certification Date: November 2014
- Student Affairs, Athletics, and Health Services — Primary Contact: Chad Long; Certification Date: November 2014
Great Valley
Maintenance — Primary Contact: Ted Hartz; Certification Date: June 2017
Greater Allegheny
- Academic Affairs — Primary Contact: Dr. Peg Signorella & Amelia Mitchell; Certification Date: November 2014
- Housing and Food Services — Primary Contact: Heidi Leiden; Certification Date: June 2014
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Elena Manges; Certification Date: November 2014
- Police and Business Services — Primary Contact: Patrick McElhinny; Certification Date: August 2014
- Student Affairs, Athletics, and Health Services — Primary Contact: Erin O’Malley; Certification Date: November 2014
Harrisburg
- Housing and Food Services — Primary Contact: Craig Cook; Certification Date: June 2014
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Chuck Garber; Certification Date: July 2015
- School of Science, Engineering, and Technology — Primary Contact: Mitch Spear; Certification Date: October 2015
Hazleton
- Housing and Food Services — Primary Contact: Jonathan Kukta; Certification Date: June 2014
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Michael Chura; Certification Date: August 2013
Lehigh Valley
- Academic Affairs (Labs, Classrooms, & Information Technology) — Primary Contact: Dr. Kenneth Thigpen; Certification Date: March 2016
- Business Services — Primary Contact: Helene Miksitz; Certification Date: March 2016
- Corporate and Community Education & Overlook Park — Primary Contact: Mark Swartz; Certification Date: March 2016
- Facilities and Security — Primary Contact: William Speth; Certification Date: March 2016
- Student Services (Athletics and Health Services) — Primary Contact: Tiffany Cresswell‑Yeager; Certification Date: March 2016
Mont Alto
- Housing and Food Services — Primary Contact: Craig Cook; Certification Date: June 2014
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Brad Kendall; Certification Date: August 2014
- Police Services — Primary Contact: Craig Wagner
New Kensington
- Academics — Primary Contact: Dr. Andrea Adolph & Tracie Brockhoff; Certification Date: March 2015
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Randy Tressler; Certification Date: November 2014
- Police and Business Services — Primary Contact: Wes Sheets; Certification Date: February 2015
- Student Affairs and Athletics — Primary Contact: Theresa Bonk, Tracy Gustafson, & Elaine Zarichnak; Certification Date: June 2015
Schuylkill
- Academic Affairs — Primary Contact: Dr. Darcy Medica; Certification Date: February 2015
- Administration and Police — Primary Contact: Patrick Carroll; Certification Date: February 2015
- Housing and Food Services — Primary Contact: Jonathan Kukta; Certification Date: June 2014
- Maintenance and Operations — Primary Contact: Jerry Cresswell; Certification Date: February 2015
- Student Affairs, Athletics, and Health Services — Primary Contact: Tom DeBreuil, John Cooper, and Cecelia Boran; Certification Date: February 2015
Shenango
- Academic Affairs — Primary Contact: Dr. Elaine Andrews; Certification Date: November 2014
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Jay Roberts; Certification Date: November 2013
- Police and Business Services — Primary Contact: Joe Izzo; Certification Date: November 2014
- Student Affairs — Primary Contact: Jammie Clark; Certification Date: September 2015
Wilkes-Barre
Maintenance — Primary Contact: Gary Beisel
Worthington Scranton
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Gene Grogan
- Academic Affairs — Primary Contact: Dr. Durrell Johnson; Certification Date: December 2017
- Police Services — Primary Contact: Lisa DeLaurentis; Certification Date: December 2017
York
- Maintenance — Primary Contact: Kevin Bevenour
- Safety and Security — Primary Contact: Bob Lehman; Certification Date: May 2016