Building the Institutional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health: A Case Study at the Federal University of Western Para

Abstract This Account describes the process of development, implementation, and initial achievements of the occupational safety and health (OSH) Policy of the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA). The Policy is a significant management instrument for consolidating a culture of safety and health within the university environment. This regulation was developed based on national and international guidelines, as well as public consultation and review by several institutional bodies, resulting in its approval in 2024 by the University’s Superior Council of Administration. The document provides for the shared responsibility of all members of the university community and emphasizes the establishment of an OSH Governance Committee, intended to act as a strategic body in advising Senior Management on legal requirements and priority demands. This initiative strengthens the institution’s commitment to workers’ safety and health and may serve as a reference for other Brazilian federal universities facing similar challenges.