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The
Environmental Health and Safety Center (EHSC) administers and implements
the occupational health and safety policies and procedures promulgated by
EH&S and by University health and safety committees. The EHSC is staffed
by professionals in radiation safety, industrial hygiene, occupational safety
and environmental management. EHSC activities include providing assistance
to members of the University community in evaluating minimizing risks in
the wide-range and multifaceted activities of faculty, students, and staff,
the proper disposal of toxic materials, and the maintenance and analysis
of records and documentation for regulatory agencies. Examples of the Center's
activities are:
- In science laboratories - evaluation and control of chemicals, radioactive
materials, and other agents which are potentially hazardous, and training
and education in safe laboratory practices.
- In University offices/classrooms - investigation of ergonomic, indoor
air quality, and other sources of complaint, training and education in safe
office procedures.
- For University maintenance/construction staff (facilities maintenance,
housing, construction management) - evaluation and control programs for
toxic materials including pesticides, paints and cleaners, and training in
safework procedures with support and assistance from Facilities Operations
safety personnel.
- For new University buildings and renovations - evaluation for compliance
with building and safety regulations, and for design consistent with current
industry practice with support and assistance from Campus Police.
Services Performed by EH&S
Industrial Hygiene
- Coordination of all occupational medical surveillance programs
- Chemical safety review/chemical exposure assessment
- Respirator training
- Hearing conservation
- Fume hood assessments
- Asbestos sampling and project review
- Lead paint assessment and project review
- Compressed gas safety
- Chemical emergency response
- Laser safety training
- All OSHA compliance related to lab safety chemical safety, occupational
health
- (29CFR1910 adopted by North Carolina)
- Support CVM, COE, PAMS, Textiles, Hazardous Materials Safety Committees
Environmental Affairs
- Radioactive and chemical waste management
- Stormwater program management
- Environmental permitting for air emissions, water discharges, water treatment
systems, sanitary waste systems
- Coordination of EH&S emergency response. Planning and training including
incident command, chemical, biological, radioactive incident response
- Environmental assessments required by the NC Environmental Policy Act
- Implementation of programs mandated by state and federal environmental
regulations (Underground storage tanks, PCB’s, spill prevention plans
for oil storage facilities, etc.)
Health and Safety
- Safety training for all new employees
- Ergonomic assessments
- Indoor air quality studies
- Material Safety Data Sheets
- Biosafety program implementation
- OSHA mandated record keeping (OSHA 300 Logs of all reportable accidents,
injuries, and near misses)
- Biosafety cabinet inspection supervision
- Supervision of registration of biological agents
- Support Biosafety Committee
- Coordination of Workers’ Compensation Claims review with Human Resources
- Safety Hotline
Radiation Safety
- Implementation of the University radiation safety program
- Support the Reactor Safety Advisory Committee
- Conduct laboratory radiation safety surveillance
- Dosimetry
Fire Protection
- Building Inspections
- Special dormitory fire inspection
- Conduct fire drills
- Establish and review building emergency evacuation plans
- First responders to medical surveillance
- First responders to fire alarms
The EHSC staff also responds on a twenty-four hour basis to
environmental incidents, laboratory accidents, and other emergencies that
could involve exposures to chemical or physical agents.
EHS Policy
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