NCSU Security Objectives
North Carolina State University has a significant amount of hazardous
materials (biologicals, chemicals, radioactives) transported within campus
on a daily basis. Since Hazardous materials can pose a significant security
risk to any institution, the U.S. Department of Transportation has required
all recipients and shippers of hazardous materials to develop a security
plan. The intent of the security plan is to provide an awareness of security
risks associated with hazardous materials transportation and methods to
enhance transportation security.
Hazardous Materials, as defined by the United States Department of Labor,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Hazardous Communication
Standard, is any chemical, radiological or biological material that poses
a wide range of health hazards (such as irritation, sensitization, and
carcinogenicity) and physical hazards (such as flammability, corrosion,
and reactivity). Specific guidelines exist on transport and shipping hazardous
materials. Hazardous material becomes a hazardous waste when a chemical,
radiological or biological (as qualified as hazardous in the above definition)
product, by-product, or other material that is normally discarded; when
it is removed from the process and is intended for discard; when it is
determined to be of no use any longer. Hazardous waste management is the
control of hazardous materials when disposing or discharging into the
air, water or soil.
Examples of hazardous materials include: acids, peroxides, combustibles,
dry ice, radioactives, gases, bacteria, viruses, and blood samples containing
pathogens. Substances considered hazardous materials can be in a pure
form or contained in other products such as lasers, detectors, batteries,
solutions, and biological samples.
Specific Security Procedures
In order to enhance the University’s overall security plan, one
must address the issues key to a campus community, including controlling
access to facilities, properly securing materials while in transit and
assuring properly authorized and trained personnel are using, storing
and shipping these materials correctly. In point, facility security, employee
awareness and transportation security are the foundation of the security
plan.
Facility Security
Facility security begins with building access. NC State University has
implemented campus security procedures, as well as provided card access
to specific areas on campus and areas of new construction. For laboratory/research
facilities, tenants should keep doors locked when the room is not occupied
to reduce unauthorized access to areas that contain hazardous materials.
If possible, hazardous materials should be further secured in a storage
location, including locking freezer, flammable cabinets and other laboratory
storage apparatus.
Unauthorized personnel should not be allowed in laboratories without
an escort. Campus identification cards are issued to all personnel, thus
feel free to ask for identification of any unknown individuals in your
area.
En Route Security
Transporting hazardous materials on campus roads are subject to certain
Department of Transportation guidelines. When preparing to transport select
materials, proper packaging is essential to prevent leaks, accidental
spills or exposures.
Personnel transporting hazardous materials on campus should minimize exposure
to classrooms, offices, and other non-technical, public areas by taking
less populated paths or roads. The same consideration should be made when
traveling near residential areas, such as dormitories.
Consideration of security procedures while transporting materials also
includes attendance of carts and material handling equipment at all times
while in motion; never leave a vehicle unattended while hazardous materials
are inside without locking and/or securing the vehicle from theft, vandalism
or other possible damage.
If you solicit the transportation of hazardous materials by an outside
party, including a courier service, private company or other, before releasing
the materials you should verify the identity of the carrier/driver by
asking for company identification with a picture. Then, establish a clear
understanding of liability with the courier, in case of accidents / incidents
involving material theft or non-receipt of materials at the destination.
All couriers of hazardous materials must be properly trained in order
to comply with DOT regulations for transport. Proper training would help
ensure the driver has properly blocked and braced the materials; all required
paperwork is complete and located with the driver of the vehicle; proper
hazard placards are used when transporting certain quantities of materials.
Employee Security
Employee participation with this security plan is vital to its success.
Faculty, staff, and students should be aware of their surrounding and
any unusual activity. The following are examples of what one should be
cognizant of:
- Anyone walking around the perimeter of a facility, possibly examining
entry points
- Anyone watching vehicles entering and exiting facilities, or watching
employee activities
- Report all phone and email threats.
- Anyone appearing to be performing prolonged static surveillance.
- Look for people posing as panhandlers or vendors in order to watch
the general operations of the facility.
- Discreet use of cameras, video recorders, or note taking
- Anyone with multiple ID’s or clothing
Actions to take in the event of a security
breach
In the case of suspicious incidents or individuals, accidents or missing
hazardous material, contact Campus Police immediately at 911
2011 Hazardous Material Shipping rule update