INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this document is to outline a comprehensive safety program for Apache Point Observatory (APO). Its intent is to insure the health and safety of the on site staff employees. Areas have been identified where potential for injury and health-related problems could occur; these areas are addressed in accompanying sections. This document is intended to be fluid; sections will be amended or added if new safety hazards are identified and as the facility expands.

APO is owned and managed by the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC). Consortium members are: the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), Johns Hopkins University (JHU), New Mexico State University (NMSU), Princeton University (PU), the University of Chicago (UC), the University of Colorado-Boulder (UCo), the University of Virginia (UVa), and the University of Washington (UW). NMSU has the responsibility for the operation of the observatory and the employment of permanent staff.

Permanent daytime staff consists of sixteen persons; nighttime staff consists of staff Observing Specialists. Astronomers, employees and students from other universities within the consortium are often on site days or months at a time. The facility is staffed 24-hours a day, 7-days per week.

The facility consists of: an Operations Building, a Utility Building, a 3-room Dormitory that sleeps six persons, a 10-room Dormitory that sleeps six, the 3.5-m Telescope Enclosure, the 2.5-m Telescope Enclosure, the SDSS Support Building, the NMSU Telescope Enclosure, and the ARC 0.5-m Small Aperture Telescope Enclosure, and two temporary office trailers. During the normal workday most personnel spend their time in the Operations building and one office trailer. The telescope enclosures, Support and Utility buildings are occupied when specific job functions require it. When in use, the dormitories are generally occupied during the day and empty during nighttime observing hours.

It is desired that visiting workers be given a safety briefing upon their arrival, especially those who will be on site for an extended period. Known hazards must be pointed out and, unless personnel receive proper training, they are restricted from performing certain hazardous operations. Certain hazardous operations must be curtailed during the time when only one person is on site; if an accident were to occur, help may be hours away.

Copies of this document are available from the Site Operations Manager, Site Safety Officer, and the APO Library.