back to school: is your eh&s program ready for the new school year?

Back to School

Is Your EH&S Program ReadyFor the New School Year?

Meet Your Moderator

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James Ciccone

During this Webinar

All lines will be muted.

Communicate via the questions tab in your webinar panel.

Unanswered questions will be responded to personally after the webinar.

Webinar recording and slides will be emailed to you tomorrow.

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Meet Your Presenter

Corinne MacDonnell

EHS Consultant

Triumvirate Environmental, Inc.

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Is Your EH&S Program Prepared?

• Does your EH&S department hold a strong presence on campus?

• Does it foster a robust safety culture?

• What grade would you give your EH&S program as it stands now?

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Marks of a SuccessfulEH&S Program

• Defined mission statement

• Collaboration and buy-in

• Clear roles and responsibilities

• Comprehensive safety audit program

• Cohesive incident/near miss reporting system

• Effective training programs

• Concise safety signage

• Efficient communication

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AgendaDefined Mission Statement

Roles & Responsibilities

Laboratory Safety Audit & Training

Signage & Hazard Communication

Incident Reporting

Wrap Up/Q&A

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Poll Question

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Which aspect of your EH&S program are you

struggling with the most?

AgendaDefined Mission Statement

Roles & Responsibilities

Laboratory Safety Audit & Training

Signage & Hazard Communication

Incident Reporting

Wrap Up/Q&A

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The effectiveness of an Environmental Health & Safety Program begins with a defined mission statement.

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Elements Include:• Overarching goal to promote safety for all:

student body, faculty, staff and visitors

• Environmental stewardship

• Partnership with students, faculty and staff to

foster cooperation and collaboration

• Focus on accident prevention

• Concerted emphasis on training

• Effort to adhere to best practices wherever

practicable

Defined EH&S Mission Statement

The University’s Department of Environmental

Health and Safety services the University

community by promoting health and safety,

environmental protection and regulatory

compliance. We are committed to developing a

culture where safety and health are core values,

adopted and practiced throughout all levels of

the University, and to providing high quality

consultation that facilitates the University’s

mission of research, teaching and service.

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Defined EH&S Mission Statement

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Defined EH&S Mission StatementEH&S fosters partnerships with faculty, students

and staff to enable them to recognize risks and

empower them to learn, discover and work safely,

and to minimize injuries, illnesses, environmental

impact and regulatory risks. We accomplish this

by providing exceptional service and leadership

through program development, information and

training, consultation and periodic review of

environmental health and safety practices.

AgendaDefined Mission Statement

Roles & Responsibilities

Laboratory Safety Audit & Training

Signage & Hazard Communication

Incident Reporting

Wrap Up/Q&A

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Collaboration and Buy-In Administration

Laboratory Managers

Faculty and Staff

Students

Facilities

Public Safety

Etc.

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Questions to Ask Yourself:

Who are the decision makers?

Who can allocate funds if necessary?

Who is able to enforce participation of employees/students?

Identify Key Players

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• Levels of Administration Dean

- Chiefly responsible for clusters of academic fields or whole academic units

Department Chair- Supervises faculty and staff of their

individual departments

- Typically a tenured or at least tenure-track faculty member, supported by administrative staff

Laboratory Managers

Professors

Adjuncts

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Identify Key Players

Techniques for Establishing Successful Collaboration

• Prepare

• Reiterate safety goals

• Provide leadership

• Reinforce shared commitment to the educational experience

• Offer flexibility and think out-of-the-box

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AgendaDefined Mission Statement

Roles & Responsibilities

Laboratory Safety Audit & Training

Signage & Hazard Communication

Incident Reporting

Wrap Up/Q&A

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Comprehensive Laboratory Inspections

• Conduct comprehensive laboratory inspections Must be a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort composed of

individuals that hold stake in the success of the department

Assemble an inspection team:- Department Chair, Lab Manager, EH&S Representative

Document findings in a concise format (i.e. checklist)

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Laboratory Audit Checklist

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Personal Protective Equipment

Is disposable personal protective equipment (i.e. nitrile gloves, disposable lab coats) available for employees/students and stored in accordance with University policies?

If employees/students are present within the laboratory, are they wearing appropriate PPE for the work that is being conducted? Closed-toe shoes?

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Biological Hazards

Are all biologically hazardous materials handled and stored properly in closed containers?

Are sharps collected in an appropriate and closed container?

Is appropriate disinfectant easily accessible for decontamination of surfaces?

Laboratory Audit Checklist

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Safety Equipment

Are first aid kits present, fully stocked and free from obstruction?

Are eye washes, safety showers and fire extinguishers present and free from obstruction?

Are all safety equipment inspection records complete and up-to-date per university policies? (i.e. eye washes, safety showers, fire extinguishers, chemical fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, etc.)

Are “No Smoking” and “No Food or Beverage” signs posted at laboratory entrances?

Laboratory Audit Checklist

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Chemical Storage/Hygiene

Are all hazardous materials appropriately labeled, closed and maintained in designated storage areas (i.e. flammable or acid cabinets)?

Are incompatible materials adequately segregated?

Are compressed gas cylinders properly labeled, secured and capped when not in use?

Are hazardous waste containers properly identified with the words “Hazardous Waste?”

Laboratory Audit Checklist

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Housekeeping and Egress

Are floor surfaces clean, dry, level and in good condition?

Are laboratory areas free from excess trash or combustibles?

Are electrical outlets or cords free from overloading?

Is a minimum of 36” aisle space maintained throughout the laboratory?

Laboratory Audit Checklist

Follow-Up:

Report findings to the EH&S team

Identify areas requiring corrective action and assign responsible parties and deadlines

If necessary, request resources to return lab to compliance

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Laboratory Audit Checklist

Laboratory Safety Training: Identify Training Groups

Faculty- Department Heads, Full-Time

Faculty, Adjuncts, Research Assistants, etc.

Teacher’s Assistants

Lab Assistants

Graduate/Research Students

Undergraduate Students

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• Chemical Hygiene

• Hazard Communication

• RCRA Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal (SAA/MAA requirements)

• Biological Safety

• Bloodborne Pathogens

• Near Miss/Incident Reporting

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Laboratory Safety Training: Identify Training Components

• Annual RCRA for Hazardous Waste Manifest Signers

• Triennial DOT for Hazardous Waste Manifest Signers

• Biennial IATA Dangerous Goods Shippers

• Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)

Awareness Level

First Responder—Operations Level

• Biennial CPR/First Aid

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Laboratory Safety Training: Higher-Level Training

Faculty LaboratorySafety Training

• Work in tandem with the Department Head and Laboratory Manager to schedule a time-block to conduct in-person faculty/adjunct training

• Allow opportunity for dialog and constructive discussion

• Emphasize that safety is everyone’s responsibility

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• What is the most effective means of training students at your university or college:

Presentation delivered by professor during lecture?

Online-based training required to complete prior to first lab section?

- Blackboard or equivalent

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Student LaboratorySafety Training

AgendaDefined Mission Statement

Roles & Responsibilities

Laboratory Safety Audit & Training

Signage & Hazard Communication

Incident Reporting

Wrap Up/Q&A

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Signage

Concise

Streamlined

Visible

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Effective HazardCommunication Signage

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• Hazard pictograms

• Biosafety level information

• Additional hazards:

• Strong magnetic field

• Electrical hazard

• Laser (class)

• Radioactive material

• Special procedures required for entry

• Laboratory Manager contact information

• Additional emergency contacts

Hazardous Waste Signage

Uniform

Directly adjacent to satellite accumulation areas

Clearly defined requirements to reinforce training

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Hazardous Waste Signage

• Container management

• Container labeling

• Container closure

• Storage

• Emergency contacts

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AgendaDefined Mission Statement

Roles & Responsibilities

Laboratory Safety Audit & Training

Signage & Hazard Communication

Incident Reporting

Wrap Up/Q&A

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Near Miss/Incident Reporting

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• Employee/student information

• Instructor/supervisor information

• Nature of incident/injury and affected body

part

• Location/work area where injury occurred

• Procedure being performed at time of incident

• Explanation of what happened

What Is a Near Miss?

A Near Miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage – but had the potential to do so. Only a fortunate break in the chain of events prevented an injury, fatality or damage; in other words, a miss that was nonetheless very near.

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Why Is it Important to Communicate Near Misses?

• Allows the EH&S Department to be proactive in mitigating future incidents and identifying gaps in the program

• May decrease liability if proper follow-up measures are taken

• Enhances the community’s safety culture

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Review Previous Year’s Incident/Near Miss Reports

Analyze trends

Review prior root cause analysis

Is corrective action in place and was it effective?

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AgendaDefined Mission Statement

Roles & Responsibilities

Laboratory Safety Audit & Training

Signage & Hazard Communication

Incident Reporting

Wrap Up/Q&A

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Effectively Communicate Expectations

Who is responsible for daily oversight of:

Hazardous waste

Laboratory compliance

Training

Faculty compliance

Student compliance

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Assess Your Own EH&S ProgramDoes your program fulfill the following?

• Defined mission statement

• Collaboration and buy-in

• Clear roles and responsibilities

• Safety audit program

• Cohesive incident/near miss reporting system

• Effective training programs

• Concise safety signage

• Efficient communication

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Thank You For Attending!

• You will receive an email tomorrow with a

copy of this presentation and recording

• You will also receive a lab audit checklist

• Please complete our short survey

Contact:

Corinne MacDonnell

cmacdonnell@triumvirate.com

Call Us!1-888-834-9697www.triumvirate.com