50 Things Any Lab Manager Member Should Know About EH&SRobert Emery, DrPH, CHP, CIH, CSP, RBP, CHMM, CPP, ARMVice President for Safety, Health, Environment & Risk ManagementThe University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonProfessor of Occupational HealthThe University of Texas School of Public Health

Need for Comprehensive Understanding

University health and safety issues are rarely limited to a single risk or aspect – most issues are typically multi-facetedUniversity enterprises continue to expand in scope and complexity, but lab budgets may not grow in suitable proportions Ability to demonstrate how lab management programs furthers the key missions of an institution is critical for program survival and continued proportional support

Observations/RemarksExperience based on multiple program peer reviews across the country, and 8 years of conducting the “EH&S Academy” has shown:

A consistent lack of understanding about how universities operate and how to succinctly convey what the EH&S program does to further the mission of the institution

Shortcoming likely due to lack of specific training in this area – virtually every person enters the university worksetting from other settings, with no formal academic preparation on university operations

The 50 QuestionsTo address this shortcoming, a list of 50 key items collectively considered important for any lab manager to be able to answer about their institution was developedConsists of both objective and subjective issuesDebated (heatedly) amongst EH&S management staff and system level staff until consensus list identified (almost)

DisclaimerKnowledge of the “50 questions” will not make everyone an expert nor omnipotentIntended merely to equip persons with a fundamental awareness of issues and the ability to adequately handle basic inquiries and problems“Your list may vary”Ability to answer and comprehend the 50 items likely places persons in the top 5 to 10% of the profession (this is inclusive of EH&S management as well!)

50 Question Major Topic Areas

Institutional parameters, program aspectsFire & life safetyRisk management & insuranceChemical safetyBiological safetyRadiation safetyEnvironmental protectionIndoor air qualitySecurity

Pilot Application: The Sanity Check

16 participants in an EH&S Academy session held in Houston, TX in August 2005 provided the 50 questions on first day (without the answers) and asked 2 questions: Could you answer this question for your institution

(yes or no)? In your opinion, would knowing the information be

of benefit to you fulfilling your EH&S function (yes or no)?

Ability to Answer 50 Questions? gray = yes, white = no,

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Administration Biosafety Chemical Safety Radiation Environmental Fire Safety Risk MgmtSecurity

Benefit Knowing Answer? yellow = yes, white = no,

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Ability to Answer 50 Questions? gray = know and should know, yellow = should know but don’t, white = see no need to know,

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The 50 Questions

Implementation at UTHSCH

Questions presented to staff during weekly professional development seminars (over 4 to 5 sessions, each lasting one hour)Answers and rationale for importance also discussedExpectation for ability to answer such questions in the future established

Outcomes to DateImproved staff understanding of overall processes, inclusive of important perspectivesImproved customer service and improved “point of service” deliveryImproved management confidence and assurance – staff understanding and conveying knowledge of the “big picture”Improved stakeholder perception of program – less perception of “unnecessary specialties” or “duplication of efforts”Initiated pathways for future learning, professional development

Outcomes for EH&S AcademyParticipants in August 2005 edition echoed the comments of the UTHSCH staffEnjoyed novel approach in classWill employ as some sort of course contest in future editions Exploratory efforts with others (UC System) also promising

Comments/Questions?Your feedback on this approach is welcomed!