Operating Policies and Procedures Manual

Effective Date: 05/01/2006
Policy Number: 05-32
Section: Finance and Administration
Subject: Environmental Health and Safety

POLICY

The Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) is responsible for the development and management of programs required by state and federal environmental health and safety laws and regulations. This is accomplished by keeping abreast of applicable laws and regulations to ensure the interpretation of the laws and regulations are in line with university operations. The Environmental Health and Safety Department is the agent, which represents the University when dealing with external agencies on environmental health and safety issues.

The Environmental Health and Safety Department shall provide technical and administrative support to each operating unit to assist in identifying, developing and implementing procedures to reduce or eliminate potential risks and hazards that could adversely impact the safety and well-being of the university community and its neighboring communities.

The Written Hazard Communication Plan (WHCP) is a required program. To be in compliance with the WHCP, the following procedures must be followed:

  1. Chemical Purchases

Chemical purchase requisitions are referred to EHS for inventory and chemical review purposes. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must be on site prior to approval of chemical purchases. Chemicals listed as "acutely hazardous chemicals" or listed as "select carcinogens" must include justification and specific quantity requirements.

  1. Chemical Donations

Chemicals and hazardous substances donated to the university must be referred through EHS for approval. There must be a need and a specific use for the donated product prior to acceptance of the product on campus. Disposal of unauthorized donated products will be at the accepting department's expense.

  1. Chemical Inventory

Inventory of chemicals in all areas shall be established and maintained, including the chemical name, location (building and room number), and quantity. These lists shall be turned in to EHS as mandated for the WHCP.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) will be provided for all chemicals at the University. Copies of the MSDS will be submitted to EHS. Copies of MSDS shall be available (when requested) to all persons working with and around chemicals.

Updates of the chemical inventories shall be submitted to EHS as required.

  1. Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste will be properly labeled at origin. Labels must include the following information:

    1. HAZARDOUS WASTE
      1. Date Collection Initiated
      2. Department & Area originating
      3. Contents of container, i.e., spent solvent, low/high pH, corrosive, heavy metals, etc. The EHS provides containers for collection and will contract with a hazardous waste disposal form. All hazardous waste will be disposed of via EHS.

  1. Right to Know Training

Persons working with hazardous products and chemicals shall have annual training on RTK and the chemical hazards in their work place. Records of all chemical safety training will be reported to EHS, including names of instructors, topics covered, and attendees. Assistance with training will be provided by EHS upon request.

To ensure the University maintains compliance with environmental health and safety standards, the following plans/programs are required by the University:

  1. Biological Safety Program

  2. Blood borne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan

  3. Confined Space Program

  4. Emergency Operations Plan

  5. Forklift Operation Program

  6. Lock-Out Tag-Out Program

  7. Radiation Safety Program

  8. Respiratory Protection Program

  9. Select Agent Program

  10. Slow Moving Vehicle Program

  11. Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Program

  12. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program

  13. Workers’ Compensation Program & Return-To-Work Program

Details about these plans/programs are available by contacting the Environmental Health and Safety web page http://ehc.astate.edu.

This policy replaces 05-32 and 05-40.

This page is maintained by Cassey Tune
Last updated on 05/08/2006