F-300.1 Space Heaters

Employees requesting a space heater must first submit a Maintenance request notifying them of the cold condition. Every effort will be made to rectify the situation using the College’s HVAC System. If the issue is unresolved and a space heater is approved, the Employee may use it under the following criteria.

The space heater must be:

• 750 watts or less.

• Electric fan driven.

• Equipped with a thermostat.

• Equipped with tip-over shutoff protection.

• Placed on the floor.

• At least three (3) feet from other objects must be kept from traffic paths.

• Unplugged (not just turned off) at the end of the workday.

• Inspected each year.

• Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) approved.

To reach the nearest electrical outlet, a space heater may be plugged into a power strip under the following conditions: The power strip must be approved by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM), the Canadian equivalent to UL. The power strip must be in excellent working order, with no frayed cords or exposed wires. The model for the power strip must be capable of accommodating the space heater and any other equipment that might be plugged into it. If the model is overloaded and shorts out, it cannot be used again.

Employees requesting a portable electric space heater shall inspect their heater and fill out the “Employee Safety Inspection Check List” form. Forms can be obtained through the Office of Campus Safety and Security.

Employees who want to utilize a portable electric space heater shall physically inspect it and its work location daily for compliance. Any electric space heater not complying with

the policy will not be allowed. A safety checklist is provided to assist Employees in determining compliance.

To comply with the policy and procedure regarding the use of electric space heaters, all checklist questions must have a "Yes" answer. A "No" answer to the following questions means the electric space heater cannot be used.

1. The Employee shall sign the Employee Safety Inspection Checklist and Employee Acknowledgement Form stating that the Employee has read and understands the policy regarding the proper use of said heater.

2. Employees who have inspected their portable electric space heaters, determined that they comply, and signed the Employee Safety Inspection Checklist and Employee Acknowledgement Form should forward the original form to their supervisor.

3. The supervisor will then have the space heater inspected by Maintenance or Campus Security.

4. Maintenance or the Office of Campus Safety and Security shall inspect the electric space heater, any power strip it is plugged into, and its location to determine compliance. They will also use the Employer Safety Inspection Report Form.

Those who are approved will be issued a permit tagged Approved for Use. All appropriate information on the permit must be completed.

An Employee with a non-conforming electric space heater will be notified. Maintenance shall maintain the Inspection Reports and a list of all approved space heaters.