DCHAS-L Archives May 20 2011 - Re: Realm of Duties for a Univercity CHO?

Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 11:19:46 -0400
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: "Mary M. Cavanaugh" <cavanaughmm**At_Symbol_Here**APPSTATE.EDU>
Subject: Re: Realm of Duties for a Univercity CHO?
In-Reply-To: <BBFA6832756A874D89D201416246904006E7BC97**At_Symbol_Here**exchng2k.dom.edu>

You wrote: " Would someone with my designation have to meet the needs of
chemicals in other areas of the university say the art dept or physical
plant?"

No. The University CHO is not responsible for the oversight of chemicals in
non-lab settings such as the art department or Physical Plant.  These would
be the responsibility of the Hazard Communication program manager --  if you
had one.  It often does makes sense for the same person serve in both
capacities (i.e. both University CHO and HazCom Manager), because there is a
great deal of overlap.  But being the University CHO does not mean that the
regulators expect you to oversee the non-lab areas.

Your university may well not understand this distinction, and may be
assuming you are managing both. I don't think it would be a reasonable
request of any university to ask someone who also has a full teaching load
to serve in both capacities, however.  For a very small university, perhaps
someone with a reduced teaching load could do both jobs.

Hope this helps.  It sounds like your university really needs to take a hard
look at its safety program (or lack thereof).

-mmc

Mary M. Cavanaugh CIH
Interim Director, Occupational Safety & Health Office
University Industrial Hygienist
Phone 828.262.6838 (Tues-Wed)
Phone 828.262.4008 ext 3# (Mon, Thu, Fri)
Email cavanaughmm**At_Symbol_Here**appstate.edu 

DISCLAIMER: ALL INFORMATION IN THIS EMAIL IS THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
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APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of
Schmidt-Nebril, Kathleen
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 9:17 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Realm of Duties for a Univercity CHO?

I was hoping to get some feedback on the duties of what the assignment of
"University CHO" may include for others in academia. My university has no
EH&S dept, OSHA officer or general safety trainer and I have been the CHO
for the science dept along with a hefty teaching load.  My understanding of
the OSHA reg for implementing a CHO is that it is directly a result of the
OSHA Lab Standard.     At this time the other dept/areas are handling there
own chemicals and training independently of me. I am trying to build a case
for detailed reasons/regulations  why the university should employ a
separate OSHA officer to oversee non-laboratory use/handling of chemicals as
I feel they don't understand the load such a position would carry.  Any
feedback is appreciated..

Kathleen Schmidt-Nebril, NRCC-CHO
Dominican University

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